Search results pages are crowded these days, with everyone vying for a spot at the top. This means that if you want good placement for a simple, generic search term, you’re going to face a lot of competition. That’s why, when conducting keyword research, it’s important to target lengthy, highly-specific keywords — these are known as long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are usually well-thought-out queries in the form of questions, phrases, and sentences. They’re typically three or more words long. The term “long-tail” refers to the “long tail” of a search’s demand curve. As queries around a topic become more specific, the search volume decreases while the likelihood of conversion increases. This creates a skewed distribution. Long-tail keywords are especially valuable in retail because their high specificity indicates high purchase intent. Also, it’s much easier to rank for long-tail keywords versus their more general counterparts, as long-tail keywords comprise 92% of all keywords typed into search engines. Many marketers use Google Keyword Planner to get ideas, but this tool is limited in that it refers more directly to paid search data. There are plenty of other long-tail keyword tools that you can use for uncovering opportunities to rank in organic search. In this post, we’ll recommend 11 of our favorite tools that you can use to uncover long-tail keyword opportunities for your content. But first, let’s review some strategies for finding these keywords — these are where SEO tools can be a major help. How to Identify Long-Tail Keywords There is a virtually infinite number of long-tail keyword you can try to target with your content. Of course, not all long-tail keywords are made equal — here are some proven strategies for finding the ones most relevant to your visitors and readers. 1. Examine autocomplete suggestions in Google directly. A good starting point for collecting a pool of long-tail keywords is to simply enter a broad keyword into Google (or any search engine) and see what autocomplete suggestions appear. You can also consult the “People also ask” section if Google provides one, then enter those queries into Google and see how they autocomplete. Or, look at the related searches listed at the bottom of the page. With this approach, you’ll see exactly what is popular on Google without any guesswork. However, it’s not the most practical method for researching long-tail variations, which is where keyword research tools can come in handy. 2. Use question modifiers like “what” and “how.” More and more, Google users are entering their queries as questions. When brainstorming long-tail queries your target audience might ask, be sure to generate some that begin with modifiers like “what,” “how,” “where,” etc. These words uncover specific issues that people have, and will probably appear often while reviewing long-tail keywords in your SEO tools of choice. 3. Add qualifiers to short-tail keywords. Similarly, try adding qualifying terms to your keywords relevant to your business, product, and/or content. For example, if you sell umbrellas, append a combination of terms like “blue,” “large,” “heavy-duty,” or anything else you believe is relevant. Try adding localization information as well, for instance, “large heavy-duty umbrellas Boston.” Specific, yes, but chances are potential visitors are sending queries like these to narrow their search to their geographic region, meaning a higher chance of conversion. 4. Look at your internal site search history. If your website has an internal search function, check for what users are looking for. You might be surprised at some queries — they may target particular products or pose highly specific questions. If visitors are posing these questions on your site, they might also be plugging them into search engines. So, use this valuable info to create new pages entirely dedicated to these specific long-tail keywords. 5. Research your competitors. With help from Google search and SEO tools, you can peek at your competitors for which specific long-tail keywords they’re using to make the first SERP for more general queries. Take note of the keywords that appear frequently on top-ranking pages and see how you can incorporate them into your content while improving on editorial and visitor experience. Plus, you’ll gain exposure to keywords and ideas you might not have considered previously. 6. Run a gap analysis. A gap analysis is the process of reviewing your site’s content for topics that you’re not currently covering or ranking highly for — this gives insight into which topic areas (and long-tail keywords) to target on your pages. A gap analysis can be conducted by reviewing your existing articles for areas that could be touched on or improved. Additionally, many SEO tools allow you to audit your keyword rankings and see what keywords you’re ranking well or poorly for in comparison with your competitors. Now that we’ve seen how marketers can utilize SEO tools to uncover long-tail keywords, let’s review the best options available today for this purpose.
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