To optimize your web content and attract prospective customers, using relevant keywords is an essential part of the SEO strategy. But how do you find the most natural and relevant keywords for your content and why it is important? You must be tired of ranking for the same keywords as your competitor’s. The only solution to this issue is Long tail keywords. In this article, we are going to discuss everything there is to know about long-tail keywords.
Long-tail keywords are long key phrases that are specifically used to generate organic search traffic. They are comparatively longer than the commonly used keywords we use. You must have noticed that it is easier to rank for long-tail keywords when compared to the commonly used keywords. For instance, if your company offers service or sells products, however, the web page of your company consists of commonly used keywords, then your site would never show in the search results because there are too many sites competing for the same keywords. If you’re starting new then forget about it. Small businesses barely have a chance to rank higher in the SERPs .
However, if you opt for long-tail keywords then there are chances that your site will be visible to potential customers. It’s always wise to use them as above 90% of all keywords people type into a search engine are long-tail keywords.
You must be thinking that if long-tail keywords have low search volumes, then why do we still use them. There are a ton of benefits of using long-tail keywords. For example, it would be difficult to rank for the most used keywords. Though long-tail keywords are characterized by low search volume, the traffic you get is more likely to be genuine.
Long-tail keywords have less competition
If you search for “morning skincare” then it’s obvious that you’d get a lot of search results. That means that short-tail keywords are competitive and the highest authoritative website would rank higher in the SERPs. If you’re just starting then you may be wasting your time competing for the short-tail keywords. What’s the point of using high volume short-tail keywords, if you are not able to drive organic traffic. Let’s take an example if you just type “watch for women” then it doesn’t specify a particular product. Google would show you many results for the same. But some users type a specific keyword like, “Daniel Wellington gold watch for women”.
Though this keyword has less search volume. But the traffic you get would be more valuable. You can also consider using commercial phrases to attract potential buyers. Like, “Daniel Wellington women’s watches online” Google would show you relevant pages where you can directly buy the watch.
Long-tail keywords have higher conversion rates
See, if a user is typing a keyword, shoes then he might be just exploring. However, people who are typing “Puma shoes under $500” are willing to buy the product and they are the people you need to focus on with the long-tail keywords. Long-tail searches are more effective than short-tail searches. More than 70% of the traffic comes from long-tail keywords as people are looking out for the same specific result, they type on the search engine. If your web page has the same keywords that your competitions use, like “ladies bags” then ranking for this keyword can be quite difficult. But, using “latest ladies handbags at best prices” can attract potential customers who are just steps away to make a purchase. Long-tail keywords have better conversion rates as it caters to the specific needs of an individual.
Long-tail keywords include short-tail keyword
A short-tail keyword has a maximum of three words while the long-tail keywords are longer consisting of more than three words. If you want to compete for both of them. Then you can do one thing, incorporating short tail keywords within long-tail keywords.
Say, for example, using a short tail keyword, “Best AC” would get the results. But you can include those two words within the long tail keyword, “Best AC in India under 25000” has more chances of driving traffic. Web users tend to type a longer query so, incorporating a short tail keyword within a long-tail keyword a good tactic.
Long-tail keywords are perfect for PPC
You won’t be able to bring valuable customers with commonly used keywords. With long-tail keywords, you would drive less traffic but the chances of you getting real customers are high. Long-tail keywords are important to PPC for many reasons. Identifying and targeting the relevant long-tail keywords in your content, would lead to less competition in the SERPs. Google ads calculate cost per click, so if the keyword is in high demand then it obvious you have to pay more. But with long-tail keywords which is not highly targeted (fewer volume searches) would not cost you much.
Due to the growing popularity of voice search, paying close attention to the relevant long-tail keywords is essential.
How to Find Long-Tail keywords?
Finding the right long-tail keyword that brings forth traffic can get tedious at times. Here are some of the most effective ways you can find long-tail keyword for your website.
1) USE GOOGLE SUGGEST
Type some commonly used keywords and see what Google suggests you. If you would type, how to lose weight then Goggle would suggest you long-tail keyword variations like, how to lose weight in a month, how to lose weight without dieting etc. These are the phrases people search online. You can target these specific keywords.
2) USE MORE AND DIFFERENT KEYWORD RESEARCH TOOLS
Relying on a single keyword research tool? Then you’re missing out on your chances of getting the relevant long-tail keywords for your site. There are some great research tools available. (both paid and free version) SEMrush, KWFinde, Ahrefs Keyword Explorer are some of the great paid research tools. You can also try some of the free research tools to kickstart your SEO namely, Google Trends, Keyword Sheeter, Google Search Console, etc.
3) USE GOOGLE’S RELATED SEARCHES
Whenever you type a query on the search engine, you would come across Google suggestions on the search results page. It would give the insight of what the customers want. Just type, “best shoes”, then scroll. At the bottom of the page, you would see related queries raised by the users. You can just copy them and incorporate these long-tail keywords in your content.
If you don’t have a major long-tail strategy then you’re missing out on a lot of search traffic. Using long-tail keywords for H2/H3 can prove to be quite helpful. Instead of using, popular keywords, choose unpopular specific long-tail keywords to draw the attention of the customers. When you are running a plant business and you want to create a blog then you can split the keywords into H2/H3 headings like, best indoor plants to buy in India? Or how to take care of plants this summer etc. If you have come up with numerous relevant long-tail keywords for your site, then consider including a FAQs section. It not only helps you to drive organic traffic but it improves your chances of ranking higher in the search results.
Final thoughts
Well, long-tail keywords do have better conversion rates. It is a great strategy to drive organic traffic, boost revenues and rank better in the SERPs. Once you get everything right, you’re good to go. Test it yourself.