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How to Choose Long Tail Keywords For Explosive Search Traffic

115.6K views
•
September 19, 2018
by
Ahrefs
YouTube video player
How to Choose Long Tail Keywords For Explosive Search Traffic

TL;DR

Learn to leverage long tail keywords for increased search traffic.

Transcript

Are you struggling to get traffic from Google? Maybe it's because all of those juicy keywords are dominated by mega publications and authorities in your niche. Well, I've got two and a half words for you that's going to help you solve this problem. Long-tail keywords. And in this video, I'm going to show you how to find, choose, and rank for long t... Read More

Key Insights

  • Long tail keywords are search queries with low individual search volume but can collectively drive significant traffic.
  • They fall into two categories: broad topics with many variations and topical keywords with fewer variations.
  • Broad topics have high search traffic potential when ranking for the head term, often resulting in thousands of variations.
  • Topical long tail keywords are easier to rank for due to lower competition, despite having fewer variations.
  • Understanding the search demand curve helps identify long tail keywords and their potential traffic impact.
  • Keyword length does not determine search volume; longer phrases can have higher search volumes.
  • Analyzing SERP traffic and keyword rankings helps identify valuable long tail topics.
  • Using modifiers, locations, and questions can uncover low-competition, high-value long tail keywords.

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Questions & Answers

Q: What are long tail keywords?

Long tail keywords are search queries that typically have low individual search volume but can collectively drive significant traffic. They are characterized by their specificity and often consist of multiple words, making them less competitive and easier to rank for compared to broad, high-volume keywords.

Q: How do broad topic long tail keywords differ from topical long tail keywords?

Broad topic long tail keywords are part of a larger subject with many variations, offering high search traffic potential when ranking for the head term. Topical long tail keywords, however, are focused on specific topics with fewer variations, making them easier to rank for due to lower competition, despite having less search traffic potential.

Q: Why should SEOs focus on long tail keywords?

Focusing on long tail keywords allows SEOs to capture traffic from less competitive search queries, often overlooked by competitors. These keywords provide opportunities to rank higher in search results, drive targeted traffic, and ultimately increase organic search visibility, especially for new or less authoritative websites.

Q: How can SEOs identify valuable long tail keywords?

SEOs can identify valuable long tail keywords by analyzing search demand curves, using keyword research tools like Ahrefs, and exploring keyword variations. Techniques such as adding modifiers, appending locations, and examining question-based queries can uncover low-competition, high-value keywords that align with user intent.

Q: What role does keyword length play in search volume?

Keyword length does not necessarily correlate with search volume. While longer phrases often indicate more specific queries, they can still have high search volumes. SEOs should focus on the search demand and user intent rather than the number of words to identify valuable keywords for targeting.

Q: How can broad topic long tail keywords drive significant traffic?

Broad topic long tail keywords encompass numerous variations under a single head term. By ranking for the head term, a website can capture traffic from thousands of related queries, leading to substantial search traffic. This approach leverages the cumulative search demand of these variations, maximizing organic reach.

Q: What strategies can uncover low-competition long tail keywords?

To uncover low-competition long tail keywords, SEOs can use strategies such as exploring keyword modifiers, adding location-specific terms, and analyzing question-based queries. These methods help identify specific, less competitive keywords that align with user intent, offering opportunities for higher search rankings and increased traffic.

Q: Why are topical long tail keywords ideal for new websites?

Topical long tail keywords are ideal for new websites because they are generally easier to rank for due to lower competition. Focusing on these keywords allows new sites to gain traction, build authority, and gradually expand their reach by targeting broader topics as their backlink profile strengthens.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Long tail keywords are crucial for SEO success as they offer opportunities to capture significant search traffic through low competition queries. By understanding the two types of long tail keywords, broad topics and topical keywords, SEOs can effectively target and rank for these terms, leading to increased organic traffic.

  • Broad topic long tail keywords encompass a wide range of variations under a single head term, providing massive search traffic potential. In contrast, topical long tail keywords focus on specific subjects with fewer variations but are easier to rank for due to lower competition.

  • Effective strategies for identifying long tail keywords include analyzing search demand curves, utilizing keyword modifiers, appending locations, and exploring question-based queries. These tactics enable SEOs to uncover valuable keywords that may otherwise be overlooked, maximizing their site's organic search potential.


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