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How to Use Long Tail Keywords for SEO?

Long Tail Keywords for Improved SEO

By
Saket Mittal
Long Tail Keywords for SEO

While broad keywords drive high traffic volume, they often result in mismatched intent and high bounce rates. By focusing on a long tail keyword, you can reach a more relevant audience that accounts for over 70% of all search queries. This guide explores how to use these targeted phrases to improve your SEO and boost conversion rates with qualified visitors.

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What are Long Tail Keywords?

Long-tail keywords are detailed, multi-word search phrases, usually three or more words, that users type into search engines when they have a clear and specific intent. Compared to broad keywords, they tend to have lower search volume and competition but often bring more qualified traffic and better conversion opportunities.

They are termed 'long tail' due to their length & position on the search demand graph, which resembles a long tail.

Long Tail Keywords: Search Volume vs Conversions
Long Tail Keywords: Search Volume vs Conversions

Key Characteristics of Long-Tail Keywords

Highly specific: They focus on a narrow topic or exact query, such as “best running shoes for flat feet” instead of just “shoes.”

Lower search volume: Each keyword may have fewer searches, but together they make up a large share of overall search traffic.

Higher conversion potential: These keywords attract users who are closer to taking action, like making a purchase or solving a specific problem.

Less competition: Because they are more targeted, it’s generally easier to rank for them than broad, high-volume keywords.

Examples

Short-tail: “Digital marketing”

Long-tail: “Best digital marketing strategies for large businesses”

E-commerce: “Organic cotton baby clothes for summer”

Importance of Long Tail Keywords for SEO

Long-tail keywords play an important role in SEO because they are easier to rank for, attract more relevant visitors, and can collectively drive significant traffic when used strategically. They also increase the chances of your content being picked up in AI-generated responses.

Easier to Rank For

Targeting long-tail keywords often makes it simpler to achieve higher rankings since competition is lower. These keywords are highly specific, so fewer websites target them, and they usually receive less attention from marketers. You can assess competition by analyzing search results or using tools like Semrush, which provides metrics such as keyword difficulty to estimate how hard it is to rank.

Brings High-Quality Traffic

Long-tail keywords tend to attract users with clear intent. People searching with detailed phrases usually know what they want and are closer to taking action. For instance, someone searching for “pink Bluetooth headphones with mic” is more likely to convert than someone searching for just “headphones.”

Strong Combined Search Potential

Individually, long-tail keywords may have low search volume, but when grouped by similar intent, they can bring in a large amount of traffic. By targeting multiple related phrases on a single page, you can reach a broader audience instead of relying on just one keyword.

Improves Visibility in AI Search

Long-tail keywords align well with how people interact with AI tools, which often involve detailed, conversational queries. Since AI systems break down queries into related subtopics to generate answers, using specific keyword variations increases the chances of your content being selected and referenced in AI-generated results.

Long Tail Keywords vs Short Tail Keywords?

Aspect Long Tail Keywords Short Tail Keywords
Search Volume Generally lower search volume due to specificity. High search volume as they are broad and general.
Competition Lower competition, making it easier to rank. Fierce competition, requiring more effort to stand out.
Conversion Rate Higher conversion rates as they target specific needs. Lower conversion rates due to broader user intent.
Content Depth Requires in-depth, specialized content to match user intent. Allows for more general content without deep specialization.
SEO Impact The impact of long-tail keywords takes longer to materialize as they target a niche audience. Short-tail keywords have an immediate but broad impact due to their general nature.
Contextual Relevance Long-tail keywords are highly context-relevant due to their specificity Short tail keywords may lack contextual relevance since they are more generic.
Brand Visibility Ideal for niche markets, building authority in specific areas. Enhances overall brand visibility due to broader audience reach.

Does Google Prefer Long Tail Keywords?

Google’s stance on long tail keywords is quite favorable. It recognizes the importance of these detailed, specific phrases, as they often carry the intent of user searches & provide more successful search results.

Google’s algorithm, such as RankBrain, has made understanding & using long tail keywords more integral to SEO. The algorithm can recognize the relevance of different pages to specific queries, even if the exact phrasing isn’t used. It effectively boosts SEO potential for those using long tail keywords.

Google doesn’t necessarily favor pages targeting long tail keywords over short ones. Instead, the search engine prioritizes relevance & quality of content. If your content accurately matches the intent behind the user's search, it may rank higher.

How to Find Long Tail Keywords

These long tail keywords can be identified using six methods. These are:

1. Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool

2. Google's Auto Complete Feature

3. Google's "Search Related To" Feature

4. People Also Ask Boxes

5. Google Search Console Performance Report

6. Using Quora & Reddit

Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool

Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool
Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool

Quattr's Keyword Research tool is a powerful AI-driven tool that can help you perform keyword research for free. It is user-friendly & powered by advanced deep learning technology that dives deep into search engine data, revealing historical keywords & new opportunities.

This tool allows users to understand their target audience's search behavior, helping to optimize brand visibility. Here are the steps to perform keyword research using this tool:

1. Enter your seed keyword into the tool.

2. Customize your research by setting the number of keywords & a clustering rule.

3. Add any specific instructions to tailor your keyword research further.

4. Check the box to view the search volume for each keyword, then click "Discover Keywords."

5. In a few minutes, the results will load and can be downloaded for further analysis.

You can combine your keyword research with our keyword statistics tool for a more effective SEO & PPC campaign strategy.

Google’s Auto-Complete Feature

Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Google's Auto-Complete Feature
Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Google's Auto-Complete Feature

Google's auto-complete feature is a very efficient way to discover long tail keywords. This feature automatically suggests popular search phrases as you type into the Google search bar.

These suggestions are based on real searches done by people. It can provide valuable data about your target audience's search behavior, which makes this feature an excellent source of long-tail keywords. It helps you yield more specific & niche keywords, which are usually less competitive and easier to rank for in SERPs.

This method can be used by typing your primary keyword into the Google search bar and not pressing Enter. Google will provide a list of suggested searches, often including long-tail keywords. Consider adding a letter or two after your primary keyword to see more suggestions.

Google's "Searches Related To" Feature

Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Google's "Search Related To" Feature
Identify Long Tail Keywords Using Google's "Search Related To" Feature

Google's "Searches Related To" feature is a treasure trove of semantic & related keywords. At the bottom of any Google search results page, there's a section titled 'Searches related to [your keyword]'.

It provides insights into what users are exploring in connection with your main topic, helping you discover new long tail keywords & diversify your keyword strategy. Let us look at the steps to perform long tail keyword research using this feature:

1. Search for your main keyword in Google.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page & look for the "Searches Related To" section.

3. Explore related queries for potential long tail keywords.

4. Verify the search volume & competition using Quattr's Keyword Statistics Tool or other reliable resources.

This method is beneficial as it allows you to broaden your keyword strategy while maintaining relevance to your core topic.

People Also Ask Boxes

Identify Long Tail Keywords Using People Also Ask Boxes
Identify Long Tail Keywords Using People Also Ask Boxes

Google's 'People Also Ask' (PAA) boxes are another fantastic resource for long tail keyword research. These boxes appear on the SERPs after a search is performed. The boxes contain questions that users commonly ask about the searched topic.

These questions are based on real search behavior, making them invaluable for tailoring your content to suit audience needs. Including these insights in your content can help to enhance your SEO visibility.

This method can be used by entering your primary keyword into Google's search bar and looking for the 'People Also Ask' section. Expand each question & take note of the queries presented. These questions often contain long-tail keywords you can use in your content.

Google Search Console Performance Report

Google Search Console's Performance Report offers valuable insights into your website's search results performance. One of the key features is its ability to reveal the exact terms or phrases people use to find your site, including long tail keywords.

You can find these long tail keywords using regex (regular expressions) in the Performance Report. Regex is a pattern-matching language that allows you to search for specific text strings.

Let us look at the steps to find long tail keywords using Regex in Google Search Console:

1. Log in to your Google Search Console account.

2. Navigate to the "Performance" section.

3. Click on "New" and then select "Query".

4. Many filter options will appear, where you can enter your regex expression.

For example, you can use the expression ([^” “]*\s){3,}? to show results containing phrases with four or more words.

By using regex to filter your results, you're creating a way to uncover specific, long-tail keywords that you may not have thought otherwise.

Read more about regex filters in Google Search Console here.

Using Quora & Reddit

Online communities like Quora & Reddit are filled with real users asking questions, sharing insights, and discussing topics relevant to your industry.

These platforms can be gold mines for finding long tail keywords. By monitoring relevant discussions & threads, you can uncover unique long tail keywords that users naturally use in their posts.

To find long tail keywords, simply search for a topic related to your main keyword. Look out for common questions or threads related to your field. The way users phrase their questions or discuss their problems can give you ideas for long tail keywords.

These platform provides a unique insight into the challenges & queries your target audience has and helps you plan your content calendar. Incorporating these keywords into your content can help it resonate better with your audience & attract more organic traffic.

Remember, finding long tail keywords is just the first step. After that, you need to include them in your content strategy. In the next section, let us understand how to incorporate these keywords into your content strategically.

How to Use Long Tail Keywords in Your Content

There are primarily two ways in which you can incorporate long tail keywords into your content strategy.

1. Long Tail Keyword for New Content Pieces

You can create a piece of content that is fully optimized around the long tail keyword. It involves weaving the specific term seamlessly throughout your content, including in your title, metadata, headers, and body text.

Remember, the intention is not to stuff your content with the keyword but to use it naturally & meaningfully. Keywords should be incorporated in a way that makes sense to the reader & provides value.

For instance, if your long tail keyword is "vegan recipes for beginners," you might craft a blog post titled "10 Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners". It will not only cater to the ones new to vegan cuisine but also provide value by offering simple and easy-to-follow recipes. It strikes a chord with the audience & encourages them to explore more or perform a desired action.

Creating new content around long tail keywords helps you establish yourself as an expert in your niche. Providing in-depth and relevant content can build trust with your audience and increase your brand awareness.

2. Add Long Tail Keywords Into Your Existing Content

Secondly, you can optimize your existing pages with long tail keywords. This method is particularly advantageous for pages that already perform well but could yield even better results with minor adjustments. It could be as simple as adding the long tail keyword to strategic locations such as the title tag, headings, and throughout the body content.

For example, by adding "affordable digital marketing services for small businesses" to your existing digital marketing page, you are streamlining the traffic coming to your page. It ensures visitors are not just anyone interested in digital marketing but are specifically small businesses looking for affordable services. It increases the chances of conversions and enhances revenue.

Optimizing your pages around long tail keywords can save you time & money, as you don't have to create entirely new content. It can also enhance their performance and achieve greater results.

Consideration Before Using Long Tail Keywords

As valuable as long tail keywords are in content creation, they should be used with some considerations in mind. It's essential to ensure that the keyword doesn't disrupt the natural flow of content & still aligns with the user intent. Overusing or forcing the keyword can lead to a poor reader experience & even harm your website's SEO.

Targeting long-tail keywords also carries the risk of keyword cannibalization. It occurs when multiple pages on your website target the same keyword, causing them to compete against each other for rankings.

Also, always remember that relevance is key. The long tail keyword should be relevant to the content it's included in and your overall brand & offerings. Always balance your SEO efforts with quality content creation. After all, your primary aim should be to offer valuable insights to your audience that will make them return to your site.

Create Content with Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr

Long tail keywords are vital for boosting SEO performance and attracting qualified traffic through less competitive search terms. Integrating these terms effectively into your strategy is simplified by using Quattr’s AI-driven tools and predictive scoring models. These advanced features allow marketers to save time and refine their SEO strategies by ensuring every piece of content is optimized for maximum search visibility. Check out now!

Create & Optimize Content for Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr!

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FAQs

How often should I update my long tail keyword strategy?

Updating your long tail keyword strategy should ideally be a monthly exercise. It allows you to keep up with current trends & user search patterns. Remember, long tail keywords are dynamic & they change as audience interests evolve. Therefore, continuous research is crucial.

How long does it take to see results from a long tail keyword strategy?

Implementing a long tail keyword strategy can yield noticeable results in about 3-6 months. This timeframe can vary based on factors such as your business niche's competitiveness & content quality. Patience, consistent monitoring, and optimization are crucial in maximizing the benefits of this SEO strategy.

What are the common mistakes made when using long tail keywords?

Misusing long-tail keywords can lead to low-quality traffic. It's important to link them to consumer intent & avoid keyword stuffing to prevent spam penalties. Regularly reviewing & updating your long-tail strategy is crucial to avoid missed opportunities as search trends evolve.

Why use long-tail keywords?

Long-tail keywords face less competition, which makes it easier for your pages to rank higher in search results. They also match modern search habits, as users increasingly rely on AI tools and voice search, using more natural, conversational phrases when searching online.

About The Author

Saket Mittal

Saket Mittal is a Marketing Analyst at Quattr and helps drive traffic to the website by improving user experience. He is a an expert Quattr platform user and takes charge in improving product experience and conversions. Saket writes about content marketing, website optimization, and expert tips on how to use Google Search Console for content SEO.

About Quattr

Quattr is an innovative and fast-growing venture-backed company based in Palo Alto, California USA. We are a Delaware corporation that has raised over $7M in venture capital. Quattr's AI-first platform evaluates like search engines to find opportunities across content, experience, and discoverability. A team of growth concierge analyze your data and recommends the top improvements to make for faster organic traffic growth. Growth-driven brands trust Quattr and are seeing sustained traffic growth.

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