How to Use Long Tail Keywords in Your SEO Strategy

In today’s world of marketing, there’s quite a bit of buzz around the words “long tail keywords.” Many of the clients we meet, however, don’t really, truly understand what long tail keywords means, even if they’ve heard of the term before. We’ll shed light on the subject today with a quick, beginner’s introduction into long tail keywords and how to use long tail keywords in your SEO strategy. 

How to Use Long Tail Keywords in Your SEO Strategy

Before we dive-in with long tail keywords, though, we should first get a basic understanding of keywords in general. Keywords are targeted, specific words that give search engine users that you use on your website to give searchers a quick sense of the subject you’re covering. On the user side, anytime you type into that Google search bar, you are typing keywords. I can’t elucidate the meaning of keywords better than Yoast, so I’ll quote them here: “It is the art of explaining what you do in the language that people use, and thus it should probably be the basis of all your marketing activities, both on and off the web.” (Read the whole article on the basis of keyword research here.)

If you’re like us, you generally type in a broad topic, like “cell phone companies,” and then get more specific until Google brings up the results that you’re looking for. If “cell phone companies” didn’t do it, “history of Wisconsin cell phone companies” probably will. That second search uses long tail keywords. Long tail keywords focus on covering a niche topic, rather than commonly searched words.

When you’re optimizing your website for SEO, you want to take long tail keywords into account. There’s a number of reasons for this.

1. Long tail keywords are easier to rank for.

Because long tail keywords are so much more specific that short tail keywords, it’s easier to rank on search engines for those keywords.

2. Long tail keywords are searched less times.

Sure, this seems like a negative, but think about it this way: Though there’s less people searching for your long tail keywords, those who are are more likely to be a qualified lead for you. They’re already doing specific searches, and if your website provides the answer to the search, your company will likely be able to provide what they’re looking for.

How can you use this information to use long tail keywords in your SEO strategy?

Think about the product or service that your company offers. Think about the mission that is central to your company. Then, create long tail keywords that apply to those two major aspects of your company. Make them long tail so that the visitors who come to your site, though the number may be small in volume, are likely to become regular visitors and, eventually, customers.

Keywords are just the tip of an SEO strategy. Learn more about SEO strategy for your company by downloading the free E-book below.