What are long tail keywords?
Long tail keywords (also spelled long-tailed keywords) are keywords that are not only longer—hence, the name—but also more specific than regular keywords.
If you want a more in-depth understanding of this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: What are the benefits of long tail keywords?
The main benefits of long tail keywords are as follows:
- They help with conversion. Since this keywords are more specific than regular keywords, they allow you to target prospects who are already looking for something in particular and are therefore more likely to take action.
- An example would be someone searching for ‘web developer in Brisbane’ instead of just ‘web developer’. Based on the search term they used, it is highly likely that they are already looking for a web developer from Brisbane to work with instead of just looking for information on web developers.
2. They help keep your content varied. Trying to rank for just a single keyword can severely limit the topics you can cover in your particular industry.
- For example, if you run a fitness supplements store, instead of just trying to rank for ‘fitness supplements’, you can also try to rank for long tail keywords such as ‘best fitness supplements for hardgainers’ or ‘caffeine-free fitness supplements’. The idea is to try and rank for long tail keywords that are related to the products and/or services you offer instead of focusing solely on one main keyword.
3. They have lower competition. This keywords are significantly more specific than regular keywords, there are just fewer brands and marketers trying to rank for them, which makes it easier for you to do so.
4. They help new/low-authority pages rank. Relevance is one of the most important metrics Google uses to decide which pages rank high in search. Since long tail keywords allow you to target people with very specific search intents, they make it easier for you to craft super relevant content for your target audience, which, in turn, would help it rank even if it is new and does not have a lot of traffic and quality backlinks yet.
Question #2: What are the disadvantages of long tail keywords?
The biggest disadvantage of long tail keywords is that they get lower search traffic than regular, more generic keywords—which is only natural since they are meant to target people with super-specific search intents. And the fact that they have a much higher conversion value that regular keywords more than make up for this.
Think about it. Which would help your business more: getting 10,000 visitors who are just browsing or 1,000 visitors who are already looking for what you are selling? It is obviously the latter, right?
Question #3: Is it always better than regular keywords?
No, long tail keywords are not always better than regular keywords—but the reverse is also true. The goal is to use both to maximise your chances of getting your content to rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Question #4: What is the difference between long tail keywords and LSI keywords?
The main difference between long tail keywords and LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords is that while long tail keywords, as we have seen earlier, are just longer, more specific versions of the main keyword you are trying to rank for, LSI keywords consist of words and phrases that are related to it.
The main purpose of LSI keywords is to provide Google’s web crawlers with more context so they can better understand what your content is all about.
For example, if you publish an article with ‘best vlogging camera’ as the main keyword, your LSI keywords could be:
- Vlog
- YouTuber
- Content creator
- Ultrawide
- 3.5mm mic jack
- Amazing image stabilization
- Flip out screen
- Great low light performance
- Long battery life
- Compact
By using words that are normally associated with the best vlogging camera in your content, you tell Google that it is, in fact, all about the best vlogging camera.
You can find LSI keywords either by using keyword research tools or by simply typing your main keyword into Google’s search box and checking the autocomplete suggestions.