How to Use Long-Tail Keywords to Rank Higher in Search
Long-tail keywords are keyword phrases that are more specific and lengthier than short-tail keywords. People are more likely to use them when they’re closer to a point-of-purchase or when they’re using voice search. Short-tail keywords are brief and general, while long-tail keywords are highly targeted and contain more words. For example, “running shoes” is a short-tail keyword, while “best running shoes for trail running” is a long-tail keyword.
Benefits of Using Long-Tail Keywords:
There are several reasons why you should use long-tail keywords in your SEO strategy:
- They’re easier to rank for. Long-tail keywords have less competition than short keywords, so it’s easier to rank for them in search results.
- They attract more targeted traffic. Because long-tail keywords are more specific, the traffic you do get from them is more likely to be interested in what you have to offer. This means that you’re more likely to convert those visitors into customers or leads.
- They help you reach a wider audience. By using a variety of long-tail keywords, you can reach a wider audience of potential customers or leads. This is because long-tail keywords are used by people at different stages of the buying cycle.
According to research conducted by reputable SEO experts, websites targeting long-tail keywords experience a substantial increase in organic traffic and conversions. For instance, an e-commerce site focusing on “blue women’s running shoes with arch support” will likely see more conversions from users specifically looking for this product.
How to find long-tail keywords?
There are a number of ways to find long-tail keywords. One popular way is to use Google Keyword Planner. Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that allows you to see how often people search for different keywords and phrases. You can also use other keyword research tools, such as SEMrush or Ahrefs.
How to use long-tail keywords in your content?
Once you’ve found some long-tail keywords, you can start using them in your content. Here are a few tips:
- Use long-tail keywords in your title. Your title is one of the most important factors in determining how high your blog post will rank in search results. Make sure to include your target long-tail keyword in your title.
- Use long-tail keywords in your meta description. Your meta description is a short snippet of text that appears below your title in search results. It’s a great way to give people a preview of your content and encourage them to click on your link.
- Use long-tail keywords in your body content. Don’t overdo it, but try to naturally include your target long-tail keyword in your body content a few times. This will help Google understand what your content is about and rank it higher for those keywords.
- In your images and alt text. Your images can also be a great way to use long-tail keywords. Be sure to include your keywords in the alt text of your images.
Keep in mind that user experience is equally important, so ensure that your content reads naturally and provides value to your audience. Search engines now prioritize user-focused content, so optimizing for your audience will indirectly help with SEO.
Don’t just focus on one or two keywords. The more keywords you use, the more likely you are to rank for those keywords.
When your content is valuable and informative, it will naturally attract more backlinks and social shares, further strengthening your website’s authority and credibility in search engines.
How to track your long-tail keyword performance?
Once you’ve started using long-tail keywords in your content, you’ll want to track your performance. You can use Google Search Console to see how often people are searching for your target keywords and how your blog post is ranking for those keywords. You can also use other SEO tracking tools, such as SEMrush or Ahrefs. Analyzing your performance data will help you identify what works best and what needs improvement.
Conclusion
Long-tail keywords are a great way to target your ideal customers and attract more traffic to your website. By following the tips in this blog post, you can learn how to find, use, and track long-tail keywords to improve your SEO results.