Long-Tail Keywords – 3 Key Ways to Find Super-Focused Keywords

One of the toughest aspects of working in SEO is convincing clients that what you’re doing will pay off. Choosing to optimize for long-tail keywords can be a tough fight to win, with some clients not immediately understanding why we’d opt to target lower volume keywords.

While it might seem totally counterproductive to optimize for less popular search terms, the truth is, targeting long-tail keywords results in increased traffic and conversions.

Pages optimized for long-tail keywords have a click-through rate up to 19% higher than those optimized for short-tail keywords. More clicks mean more traffic and more chances to turn visitors into customers.�

The statistics are tremendous, obviously. But this article will really prove to you the benefits of optimizing for long-tail keywords, along with the most effective ways to find them.

What Are Long-Tail Keywords?

Long-tail keywords are low volume, less competitive search terms. As they are super-focused search queries, long-tail keywords generally convert better.

It’s important to note that the length of the search query doesn’t determine whether or not it’s considered long-tail. An Ahrefs study showed that 29.13% of keywords with a search volume of 10,001+ contain three or more words.

Ahrefs keywords

Source: Ahrefs

Hence, around a third of high volume search queries are actually longer phrases, rather than just one or two words.

Remember that longer keywords might not necessarily be less popular keywords. Do your research to determine volume and competition.

Why Are Long-Tail Keywords Important?

Long-tail keywords are important because the large majority of online searches are long-tail. They make up around 70% of search traffic. The other thing about long-tail keywords is that they are easier to rank for. Think about it: if you only go after popular keywords you’ll be constantly battling with major brands for a top spot on the SERPs.

What did you search for last? I searched “what to do for a strained neckâ€â€¦ Ahh, the joys of laboring over a computer all day. Anyway, this is a low volume keyword with low competition:

Ahrefs search

Chances are your last Google search comprised a long-tail keyword, too. Because the large majority of online searches are long-tail. They make up around 70% of search traffic:

Search demand curve

Source: Moz

This proves that if you overlook long-tail keywords you could be missing out on a lot of potential traffic.

The other thing about long-tail keywords is that they are easier to rank for. Think about it: if you only go after popular keywords you’ll be constantly battling with major brands for a top spot on the SERPs.

These big brands have been at it for a while and they have a lot of authority on the web. To be in with even a chance of ranking alongside them would take a lot of time and effort on your part.

But, if you optimize for less competitive, long-tail keywords, you’ll rank and increase traffic much quicker. Then, as you build momentum, increase traffic, and prove your authority on the web, there’s a chance you’ll start ranking for popular, high volume keywords, as well. Win.

Not only are long-tail keywords easier to rank for but they also bring in qualified traffic. When users make specific, intentional searches, they’re much more likely to convert. 

According to Google’s advice on improving your conversion rate, 

Generally, more specific keywords like “Acme 710c†tend to lead to a better conversion rate than general keywords like “Acme.†That’s because people searching for specific models or product numbers have typically already researched their product and want to make a purchase.

How does this work in a real life scenario? Well, let’s say a user searches “hairdressers that do box braidsâ€, (which is a long-tail keyword):

Longtail keyword search



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