Have you ever created online content, whether it be a product for your own website like an eBook or online course, or just a simple informational blog post about a current trend in the market?
When you finally hit the publish button… all you get are crickets for the next 6 months, with maybe a few clicks scattered in-between.
A bit depressing, don’t you think?
And one of the reasons why this could be is that you aren’t properly utilizing the power of long-tail keywords to cater to what search engines are after.
Does this concept sound new to you?
Well, don’t worry because I’m here to help you understand what long tail keywords are, why they matter, how to find them and all that good stuff.
So, without further delay, let’s dive right in!
What exactly are Long-Tail Keywords?
Basically, long-tail keywords are lengthy phrases, generally consisting of four or more words, and are incredibly specific, which indicates that searchers have a clear intent behind their questions.
When someone types in a long-tail term, say for example, “how do I make money on YouTube?” they aren’t just surfing the net, but they’re looking for something in particular.
On the flip side, short-tail keywords are your typical short and simple words or questions, such as “YouTube” or “money.”
They receive thousands of searches per month, maybe even reaching millions.
But the thing is, the words “YouTube” and “money” can literally mean anything and the options are so vast that it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Due to the larger amount of traffic, it can be much harder to rank on search engines and gain sustainable visibility for your website.
Although long-tail keywords may not generate as much search volume as their counterpart, they instead offer less competition and provide a higher likelihood of reaching a targeted audience.
For your reference, here are a couple of short-tail keywords that are broad and non-specific:
- “Color palette”
- “Above-the-fold”
- “Pinterest”
- “Target audience”
See how these terms are short and don’t necessarily point to a specific topic?
Now, let’s contrast those with their long-tail equivalents:
- “What’s the best color palette to choose for my website?”
- “How do I optimize my website’s above-the-fold section?”
- “5 Ways to monetize my Pinterest account”
- “Define what a target audience is”
Notice the difference?
The second set of examples is much more specific and targeted, addressing particular questions or needs.
By incorporating relevant long-tail keywords into your website’s content effectively, you can expect to see significant gains in traffic and attract more qualified leads.
Why are long-tail keywords important?
By now, you should undoubtedly understand why long-tail keywords are invaluable to your SEO strategy, regardless of whether your company is already successful, a startup, or anywhere in between.
To hammer down my point even more, let me give you 4 important reasons as to why long-tail keywords are superior in the world of SEO.
1. Easier to Rank
Trying to climb the ranks with those short, snappy keywords is certainly going to be tough, so you might as well use long-tail keywords to your advantage.
Long-tail keywords have less competition than the latter, making your chances of landing higher on search engines increase dramatically and making it easier for your content to rank at the top.
Also, long-tail keywords are essentially more particular, reflecting the precise questions that people enter into search engines.
This specificity not only helps search engines grasp the searcher’s purpose, but it also assures that your material is extremely relevant to what the user is looking for.
It’s like having a direct line to your audience’s requirements, allowing you to meet them exactly where they are and effortlessly rise to the top of the search results page.
2. Traffic Targeting
Targeting traffic with long-tail keywords is like tossing a perfectly adjusted fishing line into a sea with the exact fish you want to catch.
By including precise terms that correspond to the demands and interests of your target audience, you can attract those people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
It’s like speaking directly to your audience’s pain spots and needs, guaranteeing that every visitor to your website is prepared and eager to interact with your content.
So instead of fighting for the masses’ attention, you can carve out your own area of the internet and establish yourself as the go-to source for a specific topic or niche.
This focused strategy not only attracts more qualified traffic to your website, but it also raises the possibility of those visitors becoming loyal customers in the future, which is definitely a huge bonus!
3. More Choices
Options, options, and more options.
Long-tail keywords open up a world of possibilities when it comes to content creation, giving you the freedom to get creative and experiment with different topics and themes.
Unlike with shorter, more generic keywords, you have the flexibility to tailor your content to match the specific interests and preferences of your audience with long-tail keywords.
Whether you’re crafting blog posts about ranking higher on different social media sites like Pinterest, engaging videos, or influential social media content, long-tail keywords provide a solid foundation for generating fresh and appealing content that resonates with your target audience.
4. High Conversion Rates
At the end of the day, it’s all about ranking higher to gain more traffic and clicks that convert into cold, hard cash.
So when it comes to turning visitors into paying customers, long-tail keywords can be just the strategy to do the trick.
Why, you ask?
Well, because they attract people who are willing and ready to take action.
Because long-tail keywords are so specific, they’re effective in identifying your target audience and setting apart the casual browsers from the serious buyers, and that means higher conversion rates for you and a happier bank account at the end of the day.
5 Useful Tools to Help you Find Profitable Long-tail keywords
So, it’s safe to say that achieving a top spot in search results is everyone’s common goal, but it’s no easy feat given the crowded landscape and fierce competition.
In order to stand out, meticulous planning and comprehensive keyword research are essential to make a meaningful impact in search rankings.
To make your planning process easier, here’s a list of tools to help you with long-tail keyword research and will give useful insights and statistics for identifying relevant keywords and efficiently optimize your content.
Google’s autofill feature
First off, Google’s autofill feature is a neat aspect of the search engine that provides real-time keyword recommendations when users type their queries into the search field.
As users type in characters, Google guesses and shows popular search terms connected to the phrase that you’re looking up.
And if you didn’t know, these suggestions are based on search traffic, user activity, and relevancy, making them a useful tool for identifying long-tail keywords, making it a basic yet powerful tool.
Additionally, Google’s autofill feature can also generate fresh content ideas by highlighting popular queries, themes, and trends within a specific niche or business, which is helpful for getting an insider look into what the people are looking for these days.
KWFinder
KWFinder is the ideal choice for both novice bloggers and experienced users alike.
It has a simple interface and swift search function that makes it effortless to uncover hundreds of low-competition keywords that will be relevant for your website.
Also, each keyword is partnered by an SEO difficulty score, providing insight into the feasibility of ranking for the particular term that you’re planning to use.
Although KWFinder does require a subscription, users gain access to a host of advanced features, including SERP analysis, rank tracking, and result filtering.
And if you want to try these additional features out without the risk of going in blind, they actually offer a 10-day free trial period for new users, allowing them to test their functionality before committing to a subscription.
Lowfruits
Lowfruits is a relatively new addition in the realm of long-tail keyword research tools, offering a variety of fresh keyword opportunities.
While it may not be as widely recognized as some other tools, Lowfruits specializes in uncovering “low-hanging fruit”, their way of identifying long-tail keywords that are ripe for the picking and have the potential to drive significant traffic to your website.
Better yet, a lot of its features are accessible for free, and users can delve deeper into the keyword data by utilizing credits.
This allows for a more comprehensive analysis of keyword opportunities, empowering users to make informed decisions about their content strategy and SEO efforts.
So if you’re on the hunt for highly targeted and profitable long-tail keywords, Lowfruits has you covered.
Semrush
Compared to all of the other tools that are mentioned in this article, Semrush definitely stands out as a leading tool for efficiently discovering a multitude of long-tail keywords with minimal effort.
What sets this tool apart is its comprehensive suite of features, allowing users to access valuable data such as keyword volume, difficulty, CPC, and competition score, among others.
By leveraging this information, users can prioritize keywords that offer the best opportunity for achieving high rankings with ease.
Semrush also has a user-friendly interface and intuitive design that makes it accessible to users of all skill levels.
So whether you’re a seasoned SEO expert or a beginner marketer, Semrush simplifies the process of long-tail keyword research, allowing you to quickly identify and prioritize the most valuable keywords for your website or business.
AnswerThePublic
Last but not the least, AnswerThePublic is a great tool for producing long-tail keyword recommendations by collecting popular questions about your seed phrase from social media, blogs, and forums.
It provides comparative keywords, which give important potential to rank for relevant searches.
For example, exploring the “versus” area allows readers to display common comparisons, such as “Product Features vs Benefits” which give insight on prevalent themes in that section.
Although, do take note that one shortcoming of AnswerThePublic is a lack of search volume statistics, which is an important indicator for making informed keyword recommendations.
While its Pro edition may not provide the same value as other rival tools, it’s definitely still a significant resource for marketers looking for unique long-tail keyword prospects.
Four Additional Tips to Find Long-Tail Keywords
- Do Initial Brainstorming: When it comes to finding those coveted long-tail keywords, sometimes all you need is a good old brainstorming session. Think about the problems your audience faces, the solutions you offer, and any specific topics or subtopics you want to cover, and you don’t worry about filtering or refining your ideas.
- Using the Tools Above to Expand Your Keyword List: Put all of the tools mentioned above to good use, and you can start by plugging in your initial keywords and see what other related terms pop up. You might be surprised by what you discover, like keywords you never would have thought of on your own.
- Research Your Competition: Your competitors can actually be a goldmine of valuable keyword information. So go on over and take a peek at their websites and see what keywords they’re ranking for. And, who knows? You might just stumble upon a few long-tail keywords that your competitors overlooked that you can use on your own website.
- Analyze SERPs: SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page, and analyzing these pages can give you valuable insights into what’s working (and what’s not) in your niche. Take a look at the top-ranking pages for your target keywords and see what kind of content they’re serving up. Are there any common themes or topics? Or maybe any gaps or opportunities for you to come in and steal the spotlight? By analyzing the SERPs, you can fine-tune your keyword strategy and position yourself for success in the competitive world of online search.
increase your online presence even further!
If you’ve already done your research about all of the different variations of long-tail keywords and used all of the tools mentioned above, you’re all set to kickstart your website!
And it won’t be long before search engines take notice of your site and increase your overall traffic and conversion rates.
And if you want to learn more about anything business-related, join our email list today for free to gain access to exclusive content that delves into successful strategies and real-world experiences of successful individuals and implement their strategies into your very own business venture!
FAQs
Which keywords are best to target?
The most effective keywords to target will be those that are relevant to your content. Your keywords should be anything that answers a query, solves a problem, assists a client, or adds value to your target audience.
Are long-tail keywords easier to rank?
The short answer is yes. Long-tail keywords often have lower competition and are simpler to rank for in search engines. Long-tail keywords may have less visitor volume, but they provide specialty and focused audiences, which can result in more sales.
How do you know if a keyword is profitable?
The most profitable keywords for your business are those that attract relevant readers who are likely to buy your goods or use your service. Too many individuals try to pick these keywords based only on factors such as volume, keyword difficulty (KD), and cost per click (CPC).
Do long-tail keywords need to be exact?
Your long tail keywords don’t necessarily have to match your keyword or phrase exactly. The aim is to score high for these terms, as they are significantly more difficult to rank for. Long tail keywords are sometimes neglected by marketers that are too focused on short-term objectives.