Marketers are constantly working to keep up with the most popular Internet search terms. It’s how we know what our clients are looking for and, most importantly, how we get found by web traffic. Most commonly utilized keywords are short and succinct, but what about longer search terms?

Long tail keywords are often overlooked by inbound marketers, which is a shame! Although they can seem less common, long tail keywords actually make up the majority of Internet searches and are therefore great tools for marketing companies.

Interested in utilizing long tail keywords in your website content? Contact IMPACT to see how we can help!

What are Long Tail Keywords?

Long tail keywords are keywords that are made up of three or more words. Shorter keywords that are commonly used by marketers are called “head” terms. “Where to buy Nike shoes” is a long tail keyword, while “Nike shoes” is a head term.

Long tail keywords are less competitive than head terms, making them ideal for pay per click campaigns; the ROI opportunities are incredible. Even with organic searches, these longer keywords really pull their weight. Long tail keywords allow users to be specific with their Internet searches, and tapping into the right ones can really increase your website traffic.

How to Use Long Tail Keywords

When choosing long tail focus keywords, it’s important to think like your clients. What do they need? What kinds of questions do they have? What are they likely entering into their search engines? When you’ve starting thinking like your clients, you’re ready to get started!

Use a tool, like HubSpot’s Keywords, to find out which long tail keywords your company or client is ranking high for. Once you’ve isolated a few optimal long tails, optimize your web pages and blogs with them. Use them in your headings, content, meta descriptions, and meta tags. Remember to use them in the alt tags to your images, too.

The Benefits of Long Tail Keywords

Once you’ve optimized your content with a few great long tail keywords, you’ll begin attracting more qualified visitors to your site. By ranking for a more focused term, you’ll get the niche traffic that you’re looking for. This means more potential bottom of the funnel leads!

Think about it – you could be a sports store and rank well for “Nike shoes,” but is that going to get you the leads that you want? If you rank well for “where can I buy women’s Nike shoes,” however, you’ll definitely be attracting the right customers!

Don’t Forget Head Terms

While the benefits of long tail keywords should be clear by now, it’s important to remember that head terms still make a big impact as focus keywords. Don’t limit yourself to long tail keywords; they may be great options for pay per click campaigns, but there are definitely times when you want to rank for shorter terms.

If there is low competition for a head term, you’re better off sticking with it rather than trying to come up with a long tail keyword. Low competition means that you’re more likely to rank well in a search and be easily found by search engine users. If you can rank well for a head term, go for it!

Now you know the impact that long tail keywords can have on your website. How are you utilizing them for your business?

Interested in learning more about implementing long tail keywords into your SEO campaign? Give us a call at IMPACT and learn how we can help!