Long-tail keywords are one of the best SEO methods for getting more people to visit your site, but they’re not nearly used enough. Over 306 million keywords were analyzed by Backlinko, and 91.8% of all search queries were long-tail keywords. This means that they are very important for any SEO plan. You can use this guide to learn how to use long-tail keywords to get more people and move up in the search engine rankings, whether you’re new to SEO or just want to improve your current plan.
Long-Tail Keywords—What are They?
Think about someone looking for exactly what you have to offer, but in their own words. That’s how long-tail keywords work.
These are the longer, more detailed words and phrases that people use to search engines. Long-tail keywords, like “best running shoes for flat feet,” are different from broad, competitive terms like “shoes.” They are used to answer specific questions. They usually have three words or more and don’t get searched for very often, but the people who do search for them are more likely to become buyers because they know exactly what they’re looking for.
Long-Tail Keyword Benefits:
- Fewer competitors: It’s easier to rank for specific words than for general ones.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Potential customers who use long-tail terms are usually ready to act.
- Increased Relevant Traffic: People who are looking for exactly what you give come to you.
How Long Should a Long-Tail Keyword Be?
Long-tail keywords work best when they strike a balance between specificity and search purpose.
If you want to be exact, a long-tail term should be between three and six words long. The goal should be to reach a certain goal or resolve a problem. Like for example:
- Too Broad: “SEO tips”
- Long-Tail: “SEO tips for small businesses in 2024”
Just because something is longer doesn’t necessarily make it better. Your keyword should match what your audience is looking for. Using tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can really help you find the perfect long-tail keywords that fit your industry and audience.
Why SEO Needs Long-Tail Keywords
Want to get ahead of your rivals without spending a lot of money on ads? Key words with long tails are your secret tool.
One of the best SEO strategies for getting better search engine rankings and free traffic is to use long-tail keywords. This is why they’re important:
- Voice Search: As voice search grows, people ask more conversational questions, like “best vegan cafes near me.”
- Personalizing the content: Long-tail keywords let you answer specific questions and solve specific problems that customers are having.
- Targeting a Niche: You can become an expert in your niche by focusing on terms that don’t have a lot of competition.
When you naturally incorporate long-tail keywords into your content, you can create a stronger connection with search engines and get ahead of competitors who are focusing on more general terms.
How Many Keywords Can I Use for My Website?
It’s not about using as many keywords as possible; it’s about using them carefully.
You don’t have to use a certain amount of keywords on your site. Instead, you should focus on making high-quality material that includes a mix of
- Primary Keywords: Your main target phrase, like “SEO best long tail keyword strategy.”
- Secondary Keywords: Related terms that support the main keyword, such as “long-tail keyword benefits” or “how to find long-tail keywords.”
- Long-Tail Keywords: Specific, niche phrases that address user intent.
Try to focus on one main keyword for each page, along with a few secondary or long-tail keywords that fit in smoothly. Steer clear of keyword stuffing because it can hurt your SEO and make your content tough to read.
Finding the Best Long-Tail Keywords
If you know where to look, it’s easier than you think to find the right long-tail keywords.
Here are some ways to find long-tail keywords that really work:
- Use Keyword Tools: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush are just a few of the platforms that can help you come up with keyword ideas by showing you info on search volume and competition.
- Check Out Search Suggestions: “People Also Ask” and Google’s autocomplete function are great places to find long-tail keywords.
- Investigate Competitor Content: Check to see which long-tail keywords your rivals are ranking for and change your approach to match.
- Check Out Forums and Communities: To find out what questions people in your business are asking, go to sites like Reddit, Quora, or niche forums.
Effective Long-Tail Keyword Use
Having the right keywords is only half the fight. What brings people to your site is how you use them.
Here are some ways to make your long-tail keywords work better:
- Optimize your headings and subheadings: To show search engines that your content is relevant, use long-tail terms in your H1, H2, or H3 tags.
- Write Content That Goes Deep: Answer the exact issues or questions that the keyword brings up.
- Meta Descriptions and Titles: To get more clicks, use long-tail terms in your page titles and meta descriptions.
- Image Alt Text: To improve your SEO, use different versions of your long-tail keywords in the captions of your images.
When you spread your keywords naturally throughout your content, it really helps enhance the user experience and boosts your search engine rankings.
Avoid These Common Mistakes with Long-Tail Keywords
If you do these usual mistakes, even the best plan can fail.
- Overusing Keywords: Don’t “keyword stuff,” because it can make your content look like spam and hurt your SEO.
- Ignoring User Intent: Pay attention to what the term is trying to do. Do people want to find information, a product, or a way to solve a problem?
- Targeting Keywords That Don’t Get Any Traffic: Some long-tail keywords might be too narrow to get any search volume. Before agreeing, use tools to check their potential.
- Skipping Regular Updates: Trends in keywords change over time. To stay current, go back to your content often and add new keywords to it.
If you want to steer clear of these common mistakes and make sure your long-tail keyword strategy works, It might be a good idea to check out some reliable platforms for a bit of extra support. Using SEOSMMPanel is a smart choice because they provide affordable SEO services that can really help increase your website traffic in a natural way. They offer budget-friendly solutions, quick results, and complete privacy, ensuring your SEO efforts align with your goals. Using tools like these can really help you create a solid strategy and avoid costly mistakes later on.
How Long-Tail Keywords Double Website Traffic
Now that you know how powerful long-tail keywords are, let’s look at how they can change the traffic to your site.
When you target specific phrases, you get people who are more likely to be interested in your content and buy something. As an example:
- Using a broad keyword like “laptops” can attract a lot of general traffic, but a more specific long-tail keyword like “best laptops for college students under $1,000” tends to bring in people who are actually ready to make a purchase.
When you blend quality content with smart placement and regular updates, long-tail keywords can really help increase your traffic and conversions.
Wrapping It Up
You can get focused traffic to your website quickly and easily with long-tail keywords. They’re easy to find, work very well, and are great for small businesses that want to reach the right people without having to compete with big companies on broad terms.
Are you ready to get twice as many people to your website with long-tail keywords? What is stopping you from using this strategy right now that will change the game?
