We’ve all read about keywords in search engine optimization books and articles. In the past few years, more emphasis has been placed on long tail keywords for marketing. What are they and how can we use long tail keywords to connect with our customers?
Long Tail Keywords
Long tail keywords are more specific keyword phrases, often three to four words, that visitors are likely to use when they are closer to purchasing or when they are using voice activated searches.
You’ll find more qualified searchers and potentially rank higher in organic Google searches when you take advantage of long tail keywords.
Long tail keyword searches today account for about 70% of all web searches. They are an excellent way to drive organic search traffic to your blog or website. Remember that organic traffic are those searches that are a result of unpaid search results. And that’s the type of traffic you want to increase.
Keyword Rank
In recent study after study, long tail keywords have been seen as an outstanding way for you to outrank your competitors for ranking on Google, Bing, and other searches. Think about a recent search you’ve conducted. Did you use just one word in your search? If you did, you probably had hundreds of thousands of web results returned. What did you do next? If you are like most folks, you refined your search by making it more specific.
Today, many web searchers will start with a phrase that relates directly to their search needs. So, instead of searching “groomer”, a consumer might search for “dog groomer Eastern Shore” or “best dog groomer near me”. This is the way people actually search the internet.
Meeting Customer Needs
In addition to the business value you get, you’re also helping your potential customers find just what they are searching for when you use long tail keywords.
Now that you’ve discovered what long tail keywords are, be sure to look for the upcoming Parts Two and Three of this topic series. Part Two shows you how to research long tail keywords for your industry or business. Part Three provides you with tips for using long tail keywords on your blog or website.
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A technologist and administrator in higher education and corporate environments for nearly twenty years, Theresa McGonagle Crider is an experienced project manager, collaborative team leader, and enthusiastic instructor.