Long tail SEO is defined by the use of at least 3 keywords in a given search engine. The goal is to focus on low-competition phrases , which will require less effort from your potential customers to choose your product (or service). Thus, long tail queries are likely to result in more targeted traffic, unlike using one or two popular keywords (short tail keywords).
The query “restaurant” for example , will have more searches than “cheap Chinese restaurant in Rabat”. It’s logical, right? Well, opting for the second option will allow you to progress quickly job function email list in the search results rankings, therefore more chance of consulting your page (since the competition is minimal) and better visibility by Internet users. The reason is simple: the accumulation of long tail queries – which are precise queries – generally have a low level of competition but generally represent the largest part of the profits of a given site.
To understand the principle of short and long tail :
- Part of the traffic is brought by very generic keywords, that is to say expressions used several times by Internet users: this is the short tail (1 or 2 keywords, 20% of the overall traffic) ;
- Another part of the traffic is brought by very specific and precise keywords, these are expressions searched for few times by Internet users: this is the long tail (more than 3 keywords, 70% of the overall traffic) .
- This last strategy (short tail) generates low traffic, but the overall sum of all these various queries represents the majority of traffic from search engines. It is therefore the most profitable strategy.
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Long Tail SEO vs Short Tail SEO
As previously explained, the long there are many ways to work tail strategy generates low traffic, but these diverse queries together represent the majority of traffic. This is the whole point of this strategy, which allows web pages to quickly progress in search results rankings among thousands of other pages sometimes offering the same product or service as you.
What to remember about Long Tail SEO
- Below we will present the important elements to remember:
- The more you focus on lesser-known keywords, the more competitive you become;
- Long tail queries are more beneficial than short tail queries;
- Long tail queries are likely to result in more targeted and timely traffic compared to queries with generic keywords (search by 1 or 2 words);
- Long tail keywords help you move up in search rankings;
- The goal behind the long tail is simple: Don’t waste your potential customers’ time by pushing them to opt for your product (or service) over those of competitors;
Some examples of short & long tail keywords
There are several software programs available sale lead today that can offer you the keywords that bring in the most or least traffic to help you make your choice:
According to Semrush and Ahrefs, for example, the keywords that bring them the most traffic are: “SEO software”, “SEO agency” , “natural SEO”… - These terms are very generic. They bring in between 10 and 100 visitors per day. That’s great, right? But…
However, there are thousands of them which, all combined, represent 90% of the traffic.