It’s no secret that content writing is an essential part of any successful online marketing strategy. But if you want to really maximize your website’s potential, you need to use long tail keywords in your content writing. Long tail keywords are specific phrases that are more likely to lead your target audience to your website.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what long tail keywords are and how they can help you increase website traffic, as well as some tips on how to find the right long tail keywords and optimize your content for higher search engine rankings.
What are Long Tail Keywords?
Long Tail Keywords are phrases made up of three or more words that are used to target more specific search queries. They are highly targeted and often have lower competition than shorter, more generic keywords. These types of keywords are becoming increasingly popular in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) circles, as they can help boost a website’s organic search engine rankings.
Also read Short tail vs Long tail Keywords: What are they? and How to find them?
The Benefits of Long Tail Keywords
There are several benefits to using long tail keywords in your content strategy:
- Targeted traffic: Long tail keywords are often more specific and targeted towards a particular audience or subject matter. This means that the people who search for long tail keywords are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer, and are therefore more likely to convert into customers or clients.
- Less competition: Long tail keywords tend to have less competition, which means it can be easier to rank these keywords in search engine results. This can lead to increased visibility for your website and ultimately, more traffic.
- Improved user experience: By using long tail keywords in your content, you can provide more specific and relevant information to your audience, which can improve their overall user experience. This can lead to increased engagement and conversions, as well as a higher likelihood of returning visitors.
- Better search rankings: By targeting long tail keywords that are relevant to your business and incorporating them naturally into your content, you can improve your search rankings for those keywords. This can lead to increased visibility and traffic for your website.
How do You Find Long Tail Keywords?
Now that we understand the benefits of long tail keywords and how they can drive targeted traffic to your website, it’s time to start identifying the right keywords for your business. But where do you begin? Here are some steps to get you started:
1. Utilize the “People Also Ask” section on Google.
Have you ever noticed the “People Also Ask” section that appears in Google search results? This can be a goldmine for identifying long tail keywords. Simply type in a broad keyword related to your business and scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section.
Here, you’ll find a list of related questions and phrases that people are searching for. These can be great long tail keywords to incorporate into your content.
For example, let’s say you run a bakery. A search for “bakeries” might bring up the “People Also Ask” section with questions like “What is the best bakery in [city]?”, “What is a French bakery?”, and “What is the history of bakeries?”. These questions and phrases can all be potential long tail keywords to target in your content.
2. Use Google Autocomplete.
Another helpful tool for identifying long tail keywords is Google Autocomplete. Simply start typing in a keyword related to your business and see what suggestions Google provides.
These suggestions are based on the most popular search queries related to that keyword and can give you ideas for long tail keywords to target in your content.
For example, let’s say you sell handmade jewelry. A search for “handmade jewelry” might bring up suggestions like “handmade jewelry near me”, “handmade jewelry for sale”, and “handmade jewelry ideas”. These suggestions can all be potential long tail keywords to incorporate into your content.
3. Utilize the “Related Searches” section on Google.
Similar to the “People Also Ask” section, the “Related Searches” section in Google search results can be a great source of long tail keywords.
Simply type in a broad keyword related to your business and scroll down to the “Related Searches” section at the bottom of the page. This section will provide a list of related phrases and keywords that people are searching for.
For example, let’s say you own a clothing store. A search for “clothing store” might bring up the “Related Searches” section with phrases like “women’s clothing store”, “vintage clothing store”, and “sustainable clothing store”. These phrases can all be potential long tail keywords to target in your content.
4. Use keyword research tools.
One of the easiest ways to identify long tail keywords is by using a keyword research tool such as SEMrush, Ahrefs or Google’s Keyword Planner. This tool allows you to enter a specific keyword or phrase and see the average monthly search volume and related keywords.
New to Keyword Rsearch? Read A Complete Guide to Keyword Research for SEO (With Examples)
For example, if you run a plumbing company, you could use the Keyword Planner to search for “plumbing services” and see a list of related keywords and their respective search volumes.
This can help you identify long tail keywords to target in your content, such as “emergency plumbing services” or “commercial plumbing services”.
5. Brainstorm and consider your target audience.
Another helpful approach is to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and think about the language they would use when searching for your products or services.
Consider their pain points, needs, and interests, and use those insights to come up with a list of relevant long tail keywords.
For example, if you sell eco-friendly products, you might brainstorm long tail keywords that appeal to people who prioritize sustainability, such as “zero waste home products” or “vegan and cruelty-free beauty products”.
6. Analyze the search terms used by your competitors.
Finally, it’s a good idea to check out what keywords your competitors are ranking for in search results. This can give you an idea of the language and phrases being used in your industry and help you come up with a list of potential long tail keywords to target.
For example, if you run a marketing agency, you might check out the search terms that your competitors are ranking for and look for opportunities to target long tail keywords in your content, such as “content marketing strategy for small businesses” or “social media marketing for e-commerce brands”.
How to Integrate Long Tail Keywords in Your Content?
Now that you’ve identified a list of long tail keywords for your business, it’s time to start incorporating them into your content. But how do you do this effectively? Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your long tail keywords:
1. Ensure that the keyword fits naturally into the content.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when incorporating long tail keywords into your content is to make sure they fit naturally. Don’t force the keyword into the content just for the sake of using it – this can come across as spammy and can actually hurt your search rankings. Instead, make sure the keyword fits seamlessly into the content and adds value to the reader.
Keyword stuffing will make your content thin and not useful. Read What is Thin Content? and How to Avoid it (Strategies and Tips)
2. Use the keyword in the title, subheadings, and throughout the body of the content.
In addition to fitting naturally into the content, it’s also important to use the keyword in strategic places throughout the content.
This includes the title, subheadings, and throughout the body of the content. By doing this, you can help signal to search engines the topic and focus of the content, which can improve your rankings for that keyword.
3. Vary the wording of the keyword to avoid overuse.
It’s important to avoid overusing a single keyword, as this can also come across as spammy and hurt your search rankings. To avoid this, try varying the wording of the keyword.
For example, if your keyword is “best dog food”, you might use variations such as “top-rated dog food”, “high-quality dog food”, or “nutritious dog food” throughout the content. This helps to keep the content varied and natural while still signaling to search engines the focus of the content.
4. Use the keyword in the first 100 words.
Another important place to use your long tail keyword is in the first 100 words of the content. This helps to signal to search engines the focus of the content and can improve your rankings for that keyword.
For example, if your long tail keyword is “best hiking trails near Seattle,” you might use it in the opening sentence or paragraph of your content like this:
"If you're looking for the best hiking trails near Seattle, you're in luck! The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most beautiful and challenging hiking trails in the country, and Seattle is no exception. From the rugged peaks of the Cascades to the lush forests of the Olympic Peninsula, there are endless options for hikers of all skill levels."
5. Use variations of the keyword throughout the content.
In addition to varying the wording of the keyword, it’s also a good idea to use variations of the keyword throughout the content. This can help to keep the content natural and varied, while still signaling to search engines the focus of the content.
For example, if your keyword is “best dog food”, you might use variations such as “dog food that’s top-rated”, “high-quality dog food brands”, or “nutritious options for dog food” throughout the content.
6. Use LSI Keywords on Your Blog Post.
In content writing and SEO, LSI keywords can be used to help improve the relevancy and quality of a website’s content. Including LSI keywords in your content can help signal to search engines that your content is relevant to a particular topic and may be more likely to rank higher in search results.
What are LSI Keywords?
LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are terms that are semantically related to a particular keyword or topic. They are used in natural language processing and information retrieval to help identify the relationships between terms in a text and improve the relevancy of search results.
To find LSI keywords for a particular topic, you can use keyword research tools such as Google’s Keyword Planner, brainstorm and consider the language used by your target audience, and analyze the search terms used by your competitors.
You can also use Google’s “People also ask” and “Related searches” sections, as well as the autocomplete function, to find LSI keywords that are related to your main keyword.
Examples of LSI keywords
Here are some more examples of LSI keywords that might be used in conjunction with different main keywords:
- Main keyword: “healthy eating”
- LSI keywords: nutritious meals, balanced diet, whole foods, plant-based diet, superfoods
- Main keyword: “travel destinations”
- LSI keywords: vacation spots, tourist attractions, dream trips, bucket list, adventure travel
- Main keyword: “exercise routines”
- LSI keywords: workout plans, fitness goals, strength training, cardio exercises, yoga
- Main keyword: “home renovation”
- LSI keywords: remodeling projects, interior design, home improvement, DIY projects, home staging
- Main keyword: “dog food”
- LSI keywords: Canine nutrition, Pet food, Wet dog food, Dry dog food, Homemade dog food, Organic dog food, Grain-free dog food, High-protein dog food, Puppy food, Senior dog food
By including LSI keywords in your content, you can help improve the relevancy and quality of your website, which can lead to increased traffic and success for your business.
Suggested: How to Pick the Perfect Niche for Your Blogging Business
People Also Ask?
What are examples of long tail keywords?
Long tail keywords are phrases that contain three or more words and are typically very specific. Examples of such phrases include “best hiking trails near Seattle” or “top 10 vacation spots in Hawaii”.
How do long tail keywords help with SEO?
Using long tail keywords can be beneficial for SEO because they are typically less competitive than single-word search terms and thus easier to rank for in SERPs. Additionally, by targeting these niche keyword phrases, you can reach a more relevant audience and boost conversions.
Are long tail keywords important for local SEO?
Yes, long tail keywords can be important for local SEO because they often include the name of a specific location or region.
For example, if you are a local business targeting the keywords “best sushi restaurant in Los Angeles,” you are more likely to attract customers searching for sushi in the Los Angeles area. This can help to increase the visibility of your business to a relevant local audience.
What are LSI keywords? and What are their Purpose?
LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are words or phrases that are related to the main keyword being targeted. They help search engines understand the context and relevancy of a webpage to a particular search query.
The purpose of LSI keywords is to improve the accuracy of search results by allowing search engines to better understand the content of a webpage.
How can I optimize my website’s content for SEO?
There are several steps you can take to optimize your website’s content for SEO:
- Use relevant and targeted keywords: Choose keywords that are relevant to your business and include them in the content on your website in a natural way.
- Use headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to break up your content and make it easier for readers to scan and understand. This can also help search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your content.
- Use alt tags for images: Alt tags provide a text alternative for images on your website and can help search engines understand the content of your images.
- Use internal linking: Linking to other pages on your website can help search engines understand the relationships between different pages on your site and improve the overall SEO of your site.
- Use external linking: Linking to high-quality external sources can also improve the credibility and authority of your website, which can in turn improve your SEO.
What is keyword stuffing and why is it bad for SEO?
Keyword stuffing is the practice of including an excessive number of keywords or phrases in a webpage in an attempt to manipulate the ranking of that page in search engine results.
This can be done by repeating the same keyword multiple times, or by using irrelevant or unrelated keywords in an effort to trick search engines into ranking the page higher.
Keyword stuffing is considered to be a black hat SEO technique and is generally frowned upon by search engines. It can result in penalties or even the removal of a webpage from search engine results altogether.
Suggested: What is Thin Content? and How to Avoid it (Strategies and Tips)
Conclusion
In summary, incorporating long tail keywords into your content writing can be a powerful way to increase traffic to your website.
These specific, niche phrases are less competitive than single-word keywords, making it easier for your website to rank in search results. By targeting long tail keywords, you can also attract a more relevant and targeted audience.
In addition to the SEO benefits, using long tail keywords can also improve the overall quality and readability of your content. So, if you’re looking to drive more traffic to your website, consider using long tail keywords in your content strategy.
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