SEO is an ever-evolving practice, but the use of long-tail keywords is a timeless strategy that continues to provide value for marketers. By focusing on more specific and targeted phrases, you can increase your website's relevancy and authority and attract more qualified traffic to your site.
Written by: Joseph Reilly
here’s a beginner’s guide to SEO for marketers, focusing on long-tail keywords.
As a marketer, you know that getting your website to rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs) is crucial for success. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher on SERPs, making it easier for your target audience to find your website.
SEO involves many factors, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and more. However, one factor that cannot be overlooked is the use of long-tail keywords.
Long-tail keywords are phrases that are more specific and longer than the typical one or two-word keywords. They comprise of three or more words, and while they have lower search volumes than short-tail keywords, they have higher conversion rates. Examples of long-tail keywords could be “best coffee shops in Brooklyn” or “how to make French press coffee”.
Long-tail keywords provide a more targeted approach to SEO. While short-tail keywords may have high search volumes, they are also highly competitive. As a result, it can be difficult to rank high on SERPs. In contrast, long-tail keywords are less competitive and have a higher conversion rate since users searching for these specific phrases are generally closer to the point of purchase.
When you use long-tail keywords on your website, you not only get more targeted traffic, but also a higher chance of converting that traffic into actual customers. Additionally, long-tail keywords can also help to improve the relevance and authority of your website, which is an important factor for search engines when it comes to ranking websites.
One of the best ways to find long-tail keywords is to use a keyword research tool. Google’s Keyword Planner is a popular option and it’s free. You can input your short-tail keywords, and it will generate a list of related long-tail keywords that you can use on your site. Other keyword research tools include SEMrush and Ahrefs.
Another way to find long-tail keywords is to look at the questions people are asking on Q&A websites like Quora or Reddit. You can also look at Google’s “People Also Ask” section on search results pages for inspiration.
When using long-tail keywords on your website, it’s essential to ensure they are relevant and enhance your content, rather than detract from it. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
SEO is an ever-evolving practice, but the use of long-tail keywords is a timeless strategy that continues to provide value for marketers. By focusing on more specific and targeted phrases, you can increase your website’s relevancy and authority and attract more qualified traffic to your site. Remember to keep your long-tail keywords relevant and use them wisely, and watch as your website climbs up the SERPs.