What is a Long-Tail Keyword?
A long-tail keyword is a more specific, usually longer search phrase that targets a narrow search intent. These keywords typically contain three or more words and are used by searchers who know exactly what they’re looking for.
For example, “shoes” is a broad keyword, while “waterproof hiking shoes for women” is a long-tail keyword.
Long-tail keywords tend to have lower search volume but higher conversion potential because they attract visitors with a clear and focused intent.
Why Long-Tail Keywords Matter
Long-tail keywords are important for SEO because they are generally less competitive than short, broad keywords. This makes them easier to rank for, especially for smaller websites or new content.
They also help you:
- Attract highly targeted traffic
- Improve relevance and match search intent
- Increase engagement and conversion rates
- Cover a wider range of search queries
Long-tail keywords are often used in content marketing, blog posts, FAQs, product descriptions, and voice search optimisation.
Example in Use
A company selling fitness equipment might target the broad keyword “treadmill,” but that term is highly competitive. Instead, they could focus on long-tail keywords like “best treadmill for small apartments” or “foldable treadmill for beginners,” which are more specific and likely to match what searchers are really looking for.
By creating content that addresses these long-tail queries, the business can attract users further along in the decision-making process.