Long Tail Keywords Definition: A Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to optimizing your website for search engines, keywords play a crucial role. And among the different types of keywords, long tail keywords are particularly important for small businesses and niche websites. But what exactly are long tail keywords, and how can you use them to boost your search engine rankings? In this post, we’ll answer those questions and more.

What are Long Tail Keywords?

A long tail keyword is a more specific and longer phrase than a typical one or two-word keyword. It is a keyword that is more targeted, less competitive and more likely to convert into sales or leads. For example, “running shoes” is a short tail keyword, while “best running shoes for flat feet” is a long tail keyword. The main difference between the two is that long tail keywords are more specific and less competitive.

Why Use Long Tail Keywords?

There are several reasons why you should consider using long tail keywords in your SEO strategy:

1. Less competition: Long tail keywords are less competitive than short tail keywords, making it easier for small businesses or new websites to rank for them.
2. More targeted traffic: The specificity of long tail keywords ensures that the traffic generated is more likely to be interested in your products or services, resulting in higher conversion rates and a better return on investment.
3. Better user experience: Long tail keywords help you create more informative and helpful content that addresses the specific needs of your target audience. This improves the user experience and can help build trust and loyalty.
4. Increased chances of being found: Long tail keywords are more descriptive and detailed, making it more likely for search engines to understand the context of your content and in turn increasing the chances of it being found by the right audience.

Incorporating long tail keywords into your content in a natural and strategic way can help you reap the benefits of increased traffic, higher conversion rates, and improved user experience. Now that we defined long tail keywords and established their value, let’s take a look on how to go about finding them.

How to Find Long Tail Keywords

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to long tail keywords is that they should be relevant to your business and your target audience. Here are some ways to find long tail keywords that will work for you:

• Use keyword research tools: There are many free and paid tools available that can help you find long tail keywords. Some popular options include Google Keyword Planner, Jaaxy, SEMrush, and Ahrefs.
• Look at your competitors: Another way to find long tail keywords is to see what your competitors are ranking for. You can use a tool like the ones mentioned above to see the keywords that are driving traffic to their website.
• Use Google Autocomplete: When you start typing a keyword into Google, the search engine will suggest related phrases. These suggestions can give you an idea of the long tail keywords that people are searching for.
• Ask your target audience: Finally, don’t be afraid to ask your target audience what they’re looking for. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or even social media polls.

A technique similar to the Google Autocomplete is called Alphabet Soup and is taught over at the training at Wealthy Affiliate. Be sure to have a look (you will need to first register at the platform, which is free for a starter account).

Incorporating Long Tail Keywords into Your Content

Once you’ve identified some long tail keywords to target, it’s important to know how to use them in a way that makes sense for your readers and doesn’t seem forced. Long tail keywords are long phrases that are highly specific and less competitive, making them a great way to target a niche audience.

Here are a few tips for incorporating long tail keywords into your content:

Use them in headings and subheadings

One of the best ways to use long tail keywords in your content is by including them in headings and subheadings. This helps to break up your content into sections and makes it easy for readers to find the information they’re looking for.

Use them in the first 100 words of your content

Additionally, including long tail keywords in the first 100 words of your content will help search engines understand the main topic of your content right away.

Use them in meta tags (title and description)

Another important aspect of incorporating long tail keywords is by optimizing your meta tags, including the title and description. These tags provide a brief summary of your content and are often used by search engines to display your content in search results. By including long tail keywords in these tags, you are helping search engines understand the main topic of your content and making it more likely for your content to be displayed in search results for those keywords.

Use them in image file names and alt tags

Finally, using long tail keywords in image file names and alt tags can also help improve your content’s search engine optimization. Alt tags are used to describe the contents of an image and can help search engines understand the context of the image. By including long tail keywords in the file name and alt tag, you are making it more likely that your image will be included in image search results for those keywords.

It’s important to keep in mind that while incorporating long tail keywords into your content is important, it should be done in a way that is natural and doesn’t seem forced. Your content should always be written for your readers first and foremost, with search engines being a secondary consideration.

Ready to do some long-tail keyword research? Try the Jaaxy search box below!

Utilizing Long Tail Keywords in PPC Advertising

In addition to incorporating long tail keywords into your website’s content, you can also use them in your pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns. By targeting long tail keywords in your ads, you can attract more targeted traffic and improve your return on investment.

Here are a few tips for using long tail keywords in PPC advertising:

1. Use long tail keywords in ad headlines and descriptions. This will make your ads more relevant and increase the chances of them being clicked on.
2. Use negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches. For example, if you’re selling running shoes for flat feet, you can use “no high heels” as a negative keyword to exclude searches for high heel shoes.
3. Use long tail keywords in the ad groups. This will make it easier to organize your campaigns and track the performance of specific keywords.
4. Use long tail keywords in the display URL of your ad. This will make your ad stand out and give users a clearer idea of what your website is about.
5. Use long tail keywords in the final URL of your ad. This will help you to track the performance of your long tail keywords.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your PPC advertising campaigns are targeting the right audience and driving more qualified leads to your website.

Tracking and Optimizing Long Tail Keywords

When it comes to long tail keywords, tracking and optimizing them is just as important as researching and finding them in the first place. By monitoring your rankings and making adjustments as needed, you can ensure that your content is reaching the right audience and driving the most relevant traffic to your website.

One of the best ways to track your long tail keyword rankings is by using a keyword tracking tool. These tools allow you to see where your keywords are ranking in the search engines, and they also provide data on search volume, competition, and other important metrics. By regularly checking your rankings and analyzing the data, you can identify any areas where your content might be falling short and make adjustments to improve your visibility.

In addition to tracking your rankings, it’s also important to keep up with changes in search algorithms and industry trends. Search engines like Google are constantly updating their algorithms, and it’s important to stay on top of these changes in order to stay ahead of the competition. This might mean adjusting your content strategy, updating your meta tags, or making other changes to your website.

By keeping an eye on your long tail keywords and making adjustments as needed, you can ensure that your content is always reaching the right audience and driving the most relevant traffic to your website. With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of long tail keyword research and optimization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, long tail keywords are an important aspect of keyword research. They are less competitive and more specific, making it easier for your website or blog to rank for them. By using the right tools and techniques, you can find long tail keywords that will drive targeted traffic to your site and improve your conversion rates. Remember to incorporate them into your content in a natural way, and always monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

If you are looking for an awesome keyword research tool, be sure to have a look at our review of Jaaxy.

Are you interested in building an online business or take your results to the next level? Then our review of Walthy Affiliate is a must read.

And while you’re at it, be sure to read my lazy bum to online entrepreneur story.

I hope you found today’s definition of long tail keywords insightful. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below. Also, don’t forget to share on social media and follow our pages (social icons in the header) for more awesome content.

Tony,

Founder of Lifestyle Freedom Business