Long Tail Keywords – How To Find and Use Them For SEO
Imagine you’re a small bookstore trying to rank on Google for “books”—it’s nearly impossible due to high competition. Instead, focus on a specific term like “historical fiction books set in medieval times”. This is a Long Tail Keywords.
Broad keywords are highly competitive, making it hard to rank and frustrating to see little result for your efforts. The solution? Target long tail keywords. These specific phrases have less competition and attract more engaged visitors, leading to higher rankings and more sales for your business.
What are Long tail Keywords?
They are specific phrases that people use when searching online. Unlike general keywords, which are short and very competitive, long tail keywords are longer and more detailed. For example, instead of searching for “shoes,” someone might search for “comfortable running shoes for flat feet.” These keywords usually have lower search volumes, but they attract more targeted and interested visitors. Using them can help websites rank higher in search results and reach the right audience more effectively, ultimately leading to better engagement and higher conversion rates.
How To Find and Use Long Tail Keywords For SEO
They are an essential part of a successful SEO strategy. These are specific and detailed phrases that attract a more targeted audience, helping your website rank higher in search engine results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding and using long tail keywords effectively.
1. Understanding Long Tail Keywords
They are longer and more specific phrases that people use in search engines. They usually consist of three or more words and target niche topics. For example, instead of the keyword “laptops,” a long tail keyword would be “best laptops for graphic design students.”
2. Why Use them ?
- Less Competition: Fewer websites are competing for long tail keywords, making it easier to rank higher.
- Higher Conversion Rates: They attract more qualified visitors who are likely closer to making a purchase or decision.
- Better Audience Targeting: They help you reach people who are specifically interested in what you offer.
3. How To Find Long Tail Keywords
- Use Keyword Research Tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can help you find them related to your niche.
- Google Autocomplete: Start typing a keyword into Google’s search bar and see what suggestions come up. These suggestions are popular long tail keywords.
- Analyze Competitors: Look at the keywords your competitors are targeting. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can show you the keywords driving traffic to their sites.
- Check Forums and Q&A Sites: Websites like Quora and Reddit can provide insight into what specific questions people are asking in your niche.
4. How To Use Long Tail Keywords
- In Your Content: Naturally incorporate them into your blog posts, product descriptions, and other website content. Aim for a natural flow rather than forcing keywords in.
- In Meta Tags: Include them in your title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags. This helps search engines understand the content of your pages better.
- In URLs: If possible, use them in your URLs to make them more SEO-friendly.
- In Internal Links: Link to other pages on your site using them as anchor text. This helps search engines understand the context and relevance of your pages.
5. Monitoring and Adjusting
- Track Your Rankings: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor how well they are performing.
- Adjust Your Strategy: Based on performance data, refine your keyword strategy. Add new long tail keywords that are relevant and remove or adjust those that aren’t performing well.
Conclusion
Finding and using these is a powerful way to enhance your SEO efforts. By targeting specific, less competitive phrases. you can attract a more engaged audience and improve your search engine rankings. Start incorporating long tail keywords into your SEO strategy today to see better results.