When growing a new blog, long tail keywords should be an essential part of your SEO toolbox.
Here are 5 major advantages of long tail keywords:
- They’re less competitive (usually).
- It’s easier to respond to their search intent (usually)
- There are lots of them to choose from
- They allow you to build expertise fast (because they’re so specific)
- They’re often good for conversions (the user tends to know what they want, you just need to give it to them)
Keep reading for more details about the advantages of long tail keywords, plus tips on how to find and use them.
What Are Long Tail Keywords?
Long tail keywords are search phrases of 4+ words, typically low volume but highly specific. They got their name due to their position on the “search demand curve”.
The term “long tail” was coined by Chris Anderson in his book “The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More”. Anderson used this term to describe the phenomenon of niche products and markets that collectively make up a significant portion of the demand for products and services.
In the world of SEO, long tail keywords are specific, targeted keywords highly relevant to a particular topic.
These keywords consist of several words and are more descriptive than the more general, shorter keywords (also known as head keywords) that people commonly use to search for information online.
Long Tail Keyword Examples
For example: “how to become a digital nomad with no money” is a long tail keyword. In contrast, “digital nomad” is a ‘head’ (or short tail) keyword (short, high volume, less specific)
5 Advantages of Long Tail Keywords For Building Fast Traffic To Your Blog
#1. They’re less competitive
Long tail keywords are the way to go for new blogs looking to gain traction quickly.
These keywords may not get as much search traffic as their more popular, short tail counterparts, but they have one big advantage: they’re less competitive!
With fewer websites vying for the same keyword, your blog will have a better chance of ranking higher in search results and reaching your target audience.
So, if you’re just starting out with your blog and looking to gain traction quickly, consider targeting long tail keywords in your content.
#2. It’s easier to respond to search intent
Another major advantage of long tail keywords is that it’s usually easier to respond to their search intent. In other words, you’ll have a better idea of what the person searching is looking for. You can easily provide them with the information they need.
For example, let’s say you run an online store that sells outdoor gear. A long tail keyword with commercial search intent might be “best camping tents for families.”
With this keyword, you know the searcher is looking to buy a tent for their family, so you can focus your content on product reviews and recommendations for family-friendly camping tents.
On the other hand, let’s say you run a travel blog. A long tail keyword with informational search intent might be “how to plan a road trip in the Pacific Northwest.”
With this keyword, you know the searcher is looking for information on planning a road trip in a specific region, so you can focus your content on tips and tricks for planning the perfect Pacific Northwest road trip.
Long tail keywords not only make it easier to rank in search results, but they also give you a better understanding of your audience and their search intent.
#3. There are lots of them to choose from
Another massive advantages of long tail keywords is the sheer quantity of them available to choose from.
According to recent studies, long tail keywords make up the majority of searches on search engines, with over 70% of all searches falling into this category.
So, not only do you have a better chance of ranking for long tail keywords, but you’ve also got a lot of options to choose from. You can get super specific and targeted with your keywords, making it easier to attract the right audience to your site.
No matter what niche your blog is in, you’ll find endless long-tail keywords to choose from to drive traffic and increase your visibility.
#4. They allow you to build expertise fast (because they’re so specific)
You’re probably already an expert in your field. But it’s important to make sure that expertise comes across in your blog posts.
Targeting long-tail keywords gives you a great opportunity to showcase your expertise. With long tail keywords, you can target niche topics and provide in-depth, valuable information that sets you apart from the competition.
By focusing on these specific topics, you demonstrate your knowledge and establish yourself as a trusted source of information in your industry.
For example, let’s say you run a cooking blog and you’re an expert in baking. Instead of targeting broad keywords like “baking” or “desserts,” you could target long-tail keywords like “best techniques for baking perfect cakes” or “the science of baking macarons.”
By targeting these more specific keywords, you can provide detailed, expert information that sets you apart as a trusted resource in the baking world.
If you’re looking to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and showcase your expertise, don’t underestimate the power of long-tail keywords. With their specificity and targeted focus, they can help you achieve your goals and mark you out from the rest.
#5. They can be good for conversions
Long tail keywords are great for conversions. When a user types in a long tail keyword, they usually know exactly what they’re looking for. They’re further along in the buying process and more likely to make a purchase.
For example, instead of targeting the head keyword “running shoes,” a user might search for “best running shoes for plantar fasciitis.”
By using a long-tail keyword, the user has shown a specific need and interest in finding a solution to their problem. As a website owner, you can capitalize on this by offering the exact product or information they’re searching for and increase the chances of conversion.
Another example could be if you’re running an e-commerce store selling eco-friendly products. Instead of targeting “eco-friendly products,” you could target “best eco-friendly reusable water bottles.”
By using a long tail keyword, you’re targeting a specific subset of users who have a clear interest in eco-friendly products and are more likely to make a purchase from your store.
In short, long tail keywords are a great way to drive conversions because they allow you to target users who know exactly what they’re looking for and are more likely to make a purchase.
Finding Relevant Long Tail Keywords
So what’s the best way to identify suitable long-tail keywords?
You could use an advanced SEO tool like Ahrefs or Semrush. In that case, you’d start by searching for a head keyword, then filter the results using question terms like “how to, “what is”, or commercial terms like “best” or “cheapest”.
Another tool that’s great for SEO beginners is RankIQ. Its main use case is content optimization, but it also has an extensive and handpicked keyword library, which saves you hours of doing keyword research manually. Check out my latest in-depth review of RankIQ to learn more.
You could also use Keywords Everywhere, a Chrome browser extension. Once it’s installed, you type your head keyword into Google and KWE will return a list of relevant long-tail keywords. You can get these for free, but you’ll need to buy credits to view the search volumes.
If you don’t want to invest in any tools just yet, try checking out Google’s People Also Ask, or the auto-complete function in Google Search.
Next Steps
Long tail keywords are a valuable tool for new bloggers in building traffic and establishing expertise.
With their low competition, ease of responding to search intent, and specificity, long tail keywords can help you rank higher in search results, attract the right audience, and showcase your knowledge in your field.
What’s more, long tail keywords are abundant, making it easier to choose the right keywords for your blog. They can also lead to better conversions, as users tend to know what they’re looking for when they use long tail keywords.
By targeting long tail keywords, you can quickly gain traction and establish yourself and your blog as a trusted source of information in your industry.
