Different online marketing techniques are used by digital marketers to improve website visits and conversion rates. This is also a smart way to stay relevant and get noticed. One of these techniques is the implementation of long-tail Keywords.
Many blogs have different meanings for long-tail keywords, and this can be confusing. While some define them as phrases with more than five words, others claim they are less competitive and specific than head terms.
According to a recent LinkedIn survey, less than 30% of people understood the meaning of long-tail keywords. This makes it hard for new digital marketers to develop SEO long-tail keyword strategies that drive meaningful organic search traffic.
But don’t worry. In this blog, Unify Wizards, a leading digital marketing company, will clarify the meaning of long-tail keywords and how to use them in your SEO strategy.
The Meaning of Long-Tail Keyword
Long-tail keywords are long and more specified keyword phrases used in search engines. It is a multi-word or hyper-focused keyword phrase that consumers often type into the search engine when looking for something specific.
Long-tail keywords are highly specific search queries and consumers are often very close to making a purchase when they use them. They often have a lower search volume than short or head keywords. Long-tail keywords
They make up a large percentage of voice searches performed on Google. and does not need high domain authority or backlinks to rank well in search engines.
Long-Tail Keyword Examples
Long-tail terms are longer and more specific with low search volumes according to statistics. Here are some examples of targeted long-tail keywords:
- Coffee making machine shop near me
- Where to learn digital marketing free
- How to paint my kitchen cabinets like a pro
- Workout for beginners trying to lose weight
- Organic skin care products for sensitive skin
- Gluten-free breakfast recipes with oats
- Top-rated and affordable noise-cancellation headphones online
The Benefits of Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords play a significant role in your Search Engine Optimization. strategy even though people rarely use them. However, collectively they can make a difference by increasing website visitors and conversation. Let’s dive into some of the benefits of long-tail keywords
Easy to Rank on Search Engine
Short keywords are typically very competitive and take time for brands to rank for that keyword with Search Engine Optimization. Long-tail keywords on the other hand set you ahead of the competition.
People looking for specific products and services will search for the terms. This makes your business rank higher on the search engine results page, increasing your website traffic.
Less Competitive by Nature
Long-tail keywords are less competitive because they are unpopular and not used often. They have a relatively low search volume in every niche but generate the most significant and relevant traffic
Long-tail keywords are not often targeted by large corporations with unlimited resources to create content. This makes them less competitive in the industry. They also have lower keyword difficulty scores, and digital marketers ignore low-competition keywords with less volume. This makes its ranking generally easier and provides natural backlinks.
Higher Sales Conversion
Since people who use long-tail keywords in the search query know what they want, implementing the keywords into your website content directs those searches to your website. These also make them take action like scheduling an appointment or buying one of your products, increasing your conversion rate.
Search Engine Index
Search engines use algorithms to determine a website's ranking in the Search Engine Results Pages. They do so based on important factors such as trust, authority, and content quality. Using long-tail keywords in your website content increases the chances of search engines finding and indexing your page.
Targeted Conversion
Long-tail keywords are very specific and often used by people close to making a purchase. For example: someone searching for the term "coffee shop near me" is pretty close to making a buying decision. So, if your website ranks highly for this keyword, the searcher will buy from you.
Head keywords like “running shoes” are super broad and capture a large audience seeking information about running footwear. The people researching footwear in general may not be ready for any purchase. This will not bring many conversions to your website.
Lower Cost-Per-Click
Long-tail keywords are valuable for businesses that want to rank in organic Google searches and for digital marketers running paid search marketing campaigns. That’s because their CPC is lower since they are less competitive.
By targeting longer, more specific keywords in your Google campaigns, you get higher ad rankings on relevant searches at an affordable rate.
Long-tail keywords also help you get more results for your Google Ads. Why? Generally, these keywords are super-targeted and have a low cost per click. They also have a higher conversion rate.
Easy to Target
Long-tail keywords can be targeted on your website as they are very straightforward. For example: “How to paint your cabinet like a pro.” is a long-time keyword searched by people looking for blog posts teaching how to paint their cabinet. A non-long-tail keyword like “cabinet painting” on the other hand is super broad. It also shows e-commerce and informative blog posts ranking on Google search pages.
Multiple Search Queries
Long-tail keywords match how consumers search across other mediums. Many people search on Google in different forms. These include voice search, image search, text search, and Google’s Multi-Search.
Knowing how your audience searches for information helps you create the right content for your website. For example: Customers who use voice search more often are likely to search with long-tail keywords and those typing might use head keywords.
Context for Search Algorithms
Strategically adding long-tail keywords in your website content increases visibility and ranking. For example: Google searches with head keywords like "digital marketing" are incredibly broad. Also, searchers might just want a simple definition. Searchers using long-tail keywords are interested in a specific aspect of digital marketing.
Adding more specific keywords to your website content gives search engines more context. It also brings visitors looking for results with the keyword to your website.
Create Unique Content
Using long-tail phrases in your content makes it unique, comprehensive, and targeted to specific website visitors. This drives visitors who can be potential customers to your website.
Make Long-tail Keyword Your Heading
Use long-tail keywords in your content headings and ensure they are search engine optimization-friendly. Create a dedicated section for your long-tail keyword within your content. Also, signal that section to readers and bots through an H2 or H3 heading.
Use Long-tail Keyword in URLs
Including long-tail keywords in your Uniform Resource Locator makes them more descriptive and user-friendly. These improve your search engine rankings and conversion rate.
Identify Your Head Terms
Your long tail keywords should be based on your head terms. Your head term should also be directly related to your product or services. For example: "coffee shop" should be your head term if you own a coffee shop, and the "best coffee shop near me" is your long-tail keyword.
Identify Your Target Audience
Long-tail keywords are specific and can help you identify the most popular questions that your target audience asks. This gives you insight into what your potential customers are looking for.
Finding Long-Tail Keywords
Using a keyword tool makes it easier and quicker to get long-tail keywords compared to typing keywords manually into the Google search box and copying the phrases that appear in the autocomplete function. This useful SEO tool places your search term into the Google search box with different letters and numbers. It then generated long-tail keyword suggestions.
Here are some tools for generating long-tail keywords.
Google Autocomplete
There are many ways to understand keywords people use when searching for information online. Google Keyword Planner is one of the most accurate sources for answers. However, it can only be used when creating Google Ads campaigns and rarely shows long-tail keywords.
Google Autocomplete is a great source for finding long-tail keywords. Its search suggestions are generated by the Google algorithm and produce the most relevant suggestions for a user query. Type your keyword into Google’s search bar and see the recommendations.
Google Ads Keyword Planner
Google Ads Keyword Planner is a free tool that helps you discover new keywords related to your business. It also shows the estimated searches those keywords receive by country or language, and the cost to target them with ads. But you need to sign up for a Google Ads account to gain access to the tool.
People Also Ask
This is a feature in Google search results. If you see a block of questions show up for your query, click on the relevant ones and Google will provide you with even more questions people ask about the topic.
Related Search Terms on Google
Related search terms on Google are shown at the bottom of Google search result pages. These are incredibly informative when seeking long-tail keywords. They also show you related entities or concepts, not just similar queries.
AnswerThePublic
This is a freemium tool that shows you what people are searching for in Google by country in a very visual and organized way.
The Bottom Line
Long-tail keywords are a saving grace for ranking on Google engine results pages in a competitive industry. They are more specific than short-tail keywords. They also have a higher purchasing intent and conversion rate. Therefore, increase your website visibility and optimize your content with the help of long-tail keywords.