Everybody has been discussing how effective long-tail keywords are for an effective SEO. And if you are new to it, you must understand how it works!
Long-tail keywords are search terms with low competition and volume relative to short keywords. These seemingly unassuming phrases play a remarkable role in the grand digital marketing scheme. In the maze of never-ending enticing e-commerce stores, long-tail keywords can be the real game changer in gaining the attention of potential customers.
Indeed, standing out amidst a pool of competitors to enjoy the cyber spotlight is incredibly challenging. Some stores use the latest technology to effortlessly attract hordes of eager shoppers, utilizing AR and VR to their advantage. However, these advancement asks for more significant investments that can also get lost in the depths of the vast digital realm. But crafting the perfect message for search engines can make a massive difference through wordsmithery.
Everything You Need to Know About Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are the glittering jam that many use to search, but only some are aware of using them to their advantage. Short keywords are highly competitive, with generic search terms that are more specific and concise. On the contrary, long-tail keywords contain three or more words to describe any service or product descriptively.
We have repeatedly talked about long-tail keywords having less search volume, but they have the power to bring massive traffic. These keywords help you cut through the distortion of the vast digital landscape and find your target audience, those specifically looking for your offerings or similar.
Now Why Are They Called Long-Tail Keywords?
When you inspect the search demand graph, you will notice the head keywords flying to the top on the left side. These are the most popular and frequently searched terms. And as you move towards the right, the bar goes lower and tapers off into a long, slender tail.
People are not even calling these descriptive terms keywords since nobody uses them. None of us is searching for terms with less than ten searches per month, while these keywords account for 95% of the US keyword database.
However, having a lower search volume does not necessarily tag the keyword as “long-tail.” It rather depends on the head keyword you are comparing to. A single-term keyword can also have a fewer search volume, while descriptive ones can have a volume in the hundreds and thousands.
Types of Long-Tail Keywords
Two types of long-tail keywords extend our realm of keyword research. These are supporting long-tail keywords and topical long-tail keywords.
Supporting Long-Tail Keywords
Think of them as partners of the primary keywords that provide additional information and context to the main focal point. For example, a “jacket” is a primary keyword, but “men’s leather jacket” would make things specific.
Typically, these keywords are used to delve into the subcategories of a central topic by including long-tail keyword phrases in the primary one. Using them gives search engines a clear indication of precisely what you are looking for. These keywords enable you to get personalized results for your search queries. These supporting long-tail keywords help you carve out a niche and attract those with specialized interests or needs.
Topical Long-Tail Keywords
Topical long-tail keywords are considered shining stars since they represent a specific topic or a subject. Unlike supporting keywords, they are the main event. These are the terms on which most pages are focused explicitly on the “exact” keyword searched.
When you can rank on topical long-tail keywords, you eventually end up cracking the supporting keywords, too – you also get ranked for them.
Why Use Long-Tail Keywords for Online Stores?
But what makes long-tail keywords so powerful in the digital realm of SEO? Let me spill some beans and reveal the most outstanding advantages of using long-tail keywords for your e-commerce store!
Precision and relevance
What makes your online store stand out from others? Your product’s unique features, right? So you have written descriptive product descriptions describing the pros and reasons to purchase.
Imagine writing only a generic word that you think would tell the story of your product – you will fail to convey the information consumer and the product deserves. Therefore, long-tail keywords form specific but exact phrases that not only cater to your niche audience but also bring more traffic.
For example, if someone explicitly seeks a “black leather jacket,” they will not click on the search result with only “leather jacket.” The consumer needs a website offering the particular-colored jacket.
Long-tail keywords act as a virtual compass, guiding the right audience to your digital doorstep. They speak the language of your audience, addressing their specific needs, desires, and search queries.
Highly Targeted Quality Traffic
Many of us struggle to get the right person for us – similarly, every other online store fights to bring the eager customer on board. By harnessing the power of long-tail keywords, you get a hefty amount of traffic to your website that is ready to explore or even purchase your offerings.
Even when you are up for buying anything, you do not just use generic words like “iPhone” to buy. But you type the full model name and storage along it. Similarly, when someone enters a long-tail keyword in their search bar, they aren’t casually browsing or daydreaming about possibilities – they mean business!
The traffic gained is not just ordinary; it is of high-quality wanting to convert as a customer. These visitors are more likely to spend time exploring your website, consuming your content, and ultimately become loyal customers or brand advocates.
Importance to SEO
You are not here trying to win customers. Indeed, your end goal is to generate maximum ROI, but you have to please search engines with effective SEO. And long-tail keywords help you in visibility and relevance, not for the users only, but also for Google.
Search engines are constantly evolving to provide enhanced user experience to their queries with better search results and valuable content. So what is making the difference?
Long-tail keywords send a clear message to search engines about the relevancy of any website, product, or service. By optimizing your pages with these targeted phrases, you increase your chances of ranking higher in search results.
These keywords provide the context and relevance search engines crave. They help you showcase your expertise in a particular topic or niche, signaling to search engines that your website is a trusted source of information.
Competitive Advantage
There are millions of websites and online stores offering unique things. How do you win in the bustling competition?
Long-tail keywords grant you the advantage of specificity. They enable you to carve out a niche; become the go-to destination for a particular segment of your target audience. Align your content, products, and expertise with these focused phrases to establish yourself as an authority – a beacon of knowledge and solutions that cater directly to the needs and desires of your ideal customers.
Moreover, to position yourself as a true expert in your industry, you must provide personalized solutions to your audience’s unique requirements. When someone searches for their specific need, they will type long-tail keywords. And since your website has been offering that particular tailored solution, they will find your website first than any other with generic info on it.
In addition, it impacts consumer psychology that “this” brand cares for their problem and understands their needs. Eventually, it builds the trust and credibility of your brand, creating long-term relationships with consumers!
Backs Up Short-Tail Keywords
In all of this, do not ignore short-tail keywords – the concise terms that dominate SEO. These short keywords combined with long-tail can supercharge your search engine optimization.
The short-tail keywords are your leaders, commanding and setting the tone for search engine rankings. But the problem is the competition raged among them. It is nearly impossible to rank high for these keywords. You would need a supporting hand of long-tail keywords to cut the noise of the competition.
Long-tail keywords act as a shield, defending your website’s relevance and authority in a sea of fierce competitors. Incorporate them to create a web of related content that reinforces your SEO efforts. These keywords will attract the audience with a specific intent and are more likely to convert into customers or engage with your content.
How to Find Long-Tail Keywords?
When it comes to the quest for long-tail keywords, it is all about digging deep and uncovering them to propel your SEO efforts to new heights. We have a guide to help you through the wilderness of long-tail keyword research. Let us get started!
Dive into the Depths of Google Autocomplete
Google autocomplete a gateway to uncovering remarkable long-tail keywords. Whenever you hit the keyboard to google any query, it instantly shows you suggestions. These predictions keep changing as you press the letters on your keypad.
The dropdown list of search term suggestions is like fragments of the collective consciousness of search engine users – a glimpse into desires, questions, and curiosities.
As you review the suggestions, keep your eyes peeled for the longer, more specific phrases. These long-tail keywords you are after can unlock untapped potential for your content and SEO strategy.
However, you cannot solely rely on declaring these autocomplete suggestions as the long-tail keywords for your SEO. You need to take notes of variations and related phrases to consider any of them. You can easily find specific long-tail keywords to unlock niche markets or cater to specialized audiences.
Long-Tail Keywords Disguised as Related Searches
Another method to look out for long-tail keywords is to inspect related searches at the bottom of the page. When you search on Google, you will find a Related Searches section at the end of the search results page.
These phrases are hints of what lies beyond the initial query made. They offer a window into the minds of search engine users, showing you the interconnected web of topics and questions they explore.
As you dig deeper, you will find that each suggestion is a breadcrumb leading you deeper into the labyrinth of search intent. These are the inquiries and interests of individuals who tread similar paths, offering a glimpse into their desires, needs, and curiosities.
You can use short-tail keywords to begin the long-tail keyword research from its related searches. Look for those longer, more specific phrases that resonate with your target audience. Use these keywords to create a tapestry of comprehensive and relevant content that captivates your audience.
Use Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research tools are data-driven resources for finding long-tail keywords. These tools have spells and enchantments to unveil search engine optimization secrets. These powerful tools are the path to keyword mastery, providing invaluable insights, suggestions, and analysis. Use them to your advantage and shape your content strategy to boost your online presence.
Several reputable and functional keyword research tools are available, each with unique strengths and abilities. Let us take a look at some of them:
Google Keyword Planner
The Google Keyword Planner is a keyword research tool offering a wealth of knowledge straight from the heart of Google itself. This tool lets you enter your primary keyword and discover a treasure trove of related keyword suggestions, search volume data, and competitive insights. It is the perfect starting point for uncovering potential long-tail keywords that drive targeted traffic to your website.
SEMrush
SEMrush is another long-tail keyword explorer that allows you to peek into the strategies of your competitors. By entering your competitor’s website into this tool, you can unveil the keywords they rank for. You can quickly inspect their search volume and even glimpse their ad campaigns.
Use them to discover long-tail keywords and opportunities to scale up your content marketing strategies. Besides, you can look at its keyword research feature to find some effective phrases classified as long-tail keywords.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a wise wizard that offers keyword research capabilities and provides valuable insights into backlinks – a crucial aspect of SEO. With Ahrefs, you can explore the keywords your competitors rank for and analyze their backlink profiles. Later you can discover new keyword opportunities by observing the content that attracts high-quality backlinks.
Similarly, you can take advantage of its keyword research that gives you several keywords, generic and long-tail phrases with data insights.
Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer is the sage that offers comprehensive data and actionable insights to shape your keyword strategy. With this tool, you can discover relevant keywords, assess their search volume, gauge their difficulty level, and get recommendations for related topics and subtopics.
This tool is a wise advisor when creating strategies for incorporating long-tail keywords into your content marketing efforts. Moz offers you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and optimize your content for success.
Imagine having a direct line to your target audience’s thoughts, desires, and questions. Well, my friend, you’re about to discover the power of Method 4: Listening to the Voice of Your Audience—a method that taps into the very essence of what your audience wants and needs. Get ready to turn up the volume and let their voices guide you to a treasure trove of long-tail keywords!
Listen to Your Audience
In the vast realm of digital content, it is about creating a connection – a bond between you and your audience. And what better way to forge that connection than by genuinely understanding their language?
By listening closely to the words they use, the phrases they search for, and the questions they ask – you gain invaluable insights into the long-tail keywords that resonate with them.
So, how do you find the voice of customers? Here are a few strategies to get you started:
Social Media Communication
Social media platforms are buzzing hives of conversations. These are the apps where everyone gathers to share their thoughts, seek recommendations, and show their concerns.
You can uncover your audience’s language by monitoring relevant hashtags, joining industry-specific groups, and paying attention to comments and discussions.
Take note of the phrases they employ, the topics they discuss, and the problems they express. These insights will guide you to long-tail keywords that directly address their needs. Use those phrases to your advantage and create relevancy with your content to stand out!
Dive into Online Communities and Forums
Communities and forums dedicated to your niche are treasures of knowledge and insights. They are a place of people with the same interests and helping each other solve problems. Many use them to share their experiences and get comments on them.
You can also join these communities to dive into the discussions there. Observe the questions being asked and their answers. Pay attention to the specific language and terminology used by your target audience.
These discussions can reveal hidden long-tail keywords that may not be readily apparent through traditional keyword research methods. By engaging with these communities, you gain a deeper understanding of your audience and discover the language that resonates with them.
Customer Support and Feedback
Your customers and website visitors are a goldmine of information. Use customer support interactions, feedback forms, and surveys to extract valuable keywords and phrases. Pay attention to your customer’s words and phrases when describing their challenges, needs, and desires.
These insights can guide you towards long-tail keywords directly addressing their pain points. You can provide the solutions they seek by creating relevant content leveraging the keywords found earlier.
Q&A Platforms
Platforms like Quora and Reddit are virtual arenas where people come to seek answers to their burning questions. By exploring relevant threads and observing the queries posed by your target audience, you can uncover long-tail keywords that reflect their specific information needs.
These platforms are a rich source of inspiration for content creation and keyword targeting. Not only do you get your keywords for the following content, but you can also be in luck for potential customers!
“People Also Ask” Boxes
Whenever you Google something, you must have noticed a section of related questions that appears in the “People Also Ask” box. These boxes are the queries from the curious minds of search engine users, offering additional questions and concerns related to your topic.
These questions can also help you specify and craft some long-tail keywords. As you click on each question, the box expands to reveal a concise answer and even more related questions. Every click leads you deeper into the realm of search intent.
As you notice the People Also Asks box, click on the questions that catch your attention. Now take note of the phrasing and wording used in these questions. They provide valuable insights into your target audience’s language and search intent.
This section offers several long-tail keyword opportunities that align directly with your topic. Incorporate these specific phrases and questions into your content to attract highly targeted traffic. You can even get a chance to get featured in one of the People Also Asks boxes.
Moreover, you can use these keywords for further exploration. Plug these long-tail keywords into your favorite keyword research tools to unveil additional related terms, search volume data, and competitive insights.
Supercharge Your Online Store Now!
Long-tail keywords are the hidden keys that unlock success in the online store realm. By embracing their precision, you connect with your ideal audience and drive highly targeted traffic. These gems boost your SEO efforts, provide a competitive advantage, and support your ranking for broader keywords.
Need more help? Harness the power of our SEO e-commerce experts and watch your online store thrive in the digital landscape. The journey to prosperity begins now!