Long tail keywords are da bomb, just take our word for it. But since you’re more of the learning type, we’ll let you make up your own mind.
For many businesses, long tail keywords are one of the best options available for increasing website traffic. You get better quality and more relevant traffic to your site when you target these keywords.
But first, let’s address the (long-tailed) elephant in the room:
What Are Long Tail Keywords?
In simple terms, long tail keywords are search phrases that have more than two or more words. Okay, maybe that’s a bit too simplistic since some phrases may be related but have nothing to do with your business.
A more refined explanation is that long tail keywords are search phrases that are typically three words or longer, and that have marketing or commercial relevance to your business.
To understand this better, let’s assume you have an accountancy business. Broadly speaking, there are three types of keywords you can target:
- Accountant – this is a no-brainer.
- What qualifications do I need to become an accountant – this is definitely a long tail keyword, but one that isn’t really relevant to your business.
- Small business accountant in Waikato – this is also a long tail keyword. However, unlike the example above, the relevancy of this one to your business is much higher.
What Good Do Long Tail Keywords Do to My SEO?
Whatever industry you are in, including long tail keywords in your SEO strategy will undoubtedly prove very useful. Here are three reasons why:
1. It’s How People Search the Internet
The vast majority of searches on Google and other search engines are long tail keywords. This is understandable when you think about it. Let’s go back to the example above for a minute.
A person looking for small business accountancy services will know a search for “accountant” will likely throw up a range of results, from large firms in the area to jobs to articles and guides to picking an accountant, most of which are not relevant to them.
So, rather than waste their time, they are more likely to search for exactly what they are after – “small business accountant in Waikato” – even if it is super specific.
2. Less Competition Means Easier to Rank
You will find that almost all long tail keywords are less competitive than their shorter and less relevant related search terms. Here’s a juicier example from one of our favourite SEO platforms, Semrush.
If you want to delve deeper, we highly recommend going through their explainer on long tail keywords.
3. Better Conversion Rates
You should then ask yourself which option will be more beneficial to your business. Again, we’ll turn to the example:
- Accountant – a good ranking will result in your website appearing on many searches, although a lot of them may not be relevant, like we mentioned earlier, i.e., people who are not looking for small business accountancy services
- Small business accountant in Waikato – even though the search volumes for this will be much lower than “accountant”, a good ranking will result in much better leads and enquiries
The Bottomline
The use of these keywords in SEO comes down to this: Would you rather have a lot of enquiries with a lower conversion rate, or fewer but higher quality leads? If it’s the latter, long tail keywords are for you.
Let’s Get You Some Long Tail Keywords
The Web Guys is an Auckland-based digital agency specialising in digital marketing, and website design and development. We have worked with hundreds of clients both in New Zealand and overseas, helping each of them achieve their SEO and Google Ads goals. Contact us today to know more about how we can help you get more of the right leads.
