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How do you find long-tail keywords?
Finding long-tail keywords is a crucial step in building a successful SEO or paid advertising strategy. Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that often have lower search volume but higher conversion potential, as they are typically more aligned with user intent. Here’s how you can find long-tail keywords:
1. Start with Seed Keywords
Long-tail keywords are based on more general seed keywords. Begin by identifying broad, relevant keywords that are related to your business or niche. For example:
- Seed keyword: “coffee”
- Potential long-tail variations: “best coffee for French press,” “how to brew coffee with a French press,” “best coffee beans for espresso.”
2. **Use Google’s Keyword Planner
Google Ads’ Keyword Planner is an excellent tool for discovering long-tail keywords. While it doesn’t specifically target long-tail keywords, you can find them by analyzing suggested keyword ideas.
- How to do it: After entering a seed keyword in Keyword Planner, scroll through the keyword suggestions. Look for longer phrases or variations that are more specific.
- Filter results: You can filter suggestions based on search volume, competition, and cost-per-click to identify the most relevant and feasible long-tail keywords.
3. **Check Google Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google’s Autocomplete and Related Searches features are great for discovering long-tail keywords based on what people are actually searching for.
- Google Autocomplete: Start typing a broad keyword in Google’s search bar, and Google will suggest longer search phrases that users commonly search for. These suggestions often include valuable long-tail keywords.
- Related Searches: At the bottom of the Google search results page, you’ll find a list of related searches. These are alternative long-tail phrases users are searching for and can be a great source of keyword ideas.
4. Use Keyword Research Tools
There are several tools specifically designed to help you find long-tail keywords. Some of the best tools include:
- Ahrefs: Enter a broad keyword into the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, and it will provide long-tail keyword suggestions, along with data on search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty.
- SEMrush: SEMrush offers the Keyword Magic Tool, which helps you find long-tail keyword variations by entering a seed keyword and providing keyword ideas based on real search data.
- Ubersuggest: This tool is excellent for discovering long-tail keywords, as it shows keyword suggestions along with important metrics like search volume and CPC.
- Answer The Public: This tool generates question-based long-tail keyword ideas related to your seed keyword. It’s particularly useful for content creation as it reveals questions users are asking around your keywords.
- KeywordTool.io: Offers long-tail keyword suggestions for a wide range of platforms (Google, YouTube, Amazon, etc.) based on a seed keyword.
5. Analyze Competitor Keywords
Looking at the keywords your competitors are targeting can help you identify long-tail opportunities. You can use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or SpyFu to find the keywords your competitors are ranking for, including their long-tail keywords.
- How to do it: Enter your competitor’s website or a specific page URL into the SEO tool, and the tool will show you the keywords that page ranks for, including long-tail keywords.
6. Leverage User Intent
Long-tail keywords are often driven by user intent—the specific goal the user has in mind when searching. Understanding the intent behind searches can help you discover relevant long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords often fall into the following categories:
- Informational: Users are looking for answers or information (e.g., “how to make coffee without a coffee maker”).
- Navigational: Users are looking for a specific site or product (e.g., “best coffee beans on Amazon”).
- Transactional: Users are looking to make a purchase (e.g., “buy organic coffee beans online”).
By thinking about your target audience’s search intent, you can come up with longer, more specific keywords that align with their needs.
7. Use Google Search Console Data
If you already have a website and you’ve been doing some SEO, Google Search Console can be a great resource for finding long-tail keywords. It shows the keywords that are already bringing traffic to your site, and many of these will likely be long-tail.
- How to do it: Go to Performance in Google Search Console, and look at the queries that bring traffic to your site. You’ll often find long-tail keywords, particularly if your website is ranking for less competitive terms.
8. Focus on Question Keywords
Questions are often long-tail, as they are specific and usually reflect a user’s need for detailed information. Use tools like Answer The Public or look at the “People Also Ask” section in Google search results to discover question-based long-tail keywords.
- For example, with a seed keyword like “coffee,” you might find questions like “what’s the best coffee for a French press?” or “how do you brew coffee beans?”
9. Use Content Gap Analysis
Content gap analysis helps identify opportunities where you can target long-tail keywords your competitors are missing. You can use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find keywords your competitors rank for, but you don’t, and discover long-tail keyword gaps.
10. Look for Industry-Specific Long-Tail Keywords
If you’re in a specific industry or niche, search forums, communities, and social media platforms related to your field. Sites like Reddit, Quora, or industry blogs often provide insights into what people are asking or talking about. These questions and topics often translate to long-tail keyword opportunities.
- Example: For a health and wellness brand, you might find long-tail keywords like “best natural supplements for energy” or “how to lose weight after 40.”
Summary of Methods to Find Long-Tail Keywords:
- Start with seed keywords: Generate broad ideas for potential long-tail keywords.
- Use Google Keyword Planner: Discover related long-tail keyword suggestions.
- Check Google Autocomplete: Look for common search queries related to your seed keyword.
- Use keyword research tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Ubersuggest to discover long-tail keywords.
- Analyze competitor websites: See what long-tail keywords competitors are ranking for.
- Leverage user intent: Identify long-tail keywords based on what users are likely searching for.
- Use Google Search Console: Review your existing traffic for long-tail keyword opportunities.
- Focus on question-based keywords: Target common questions in your niche.
- Conduct content gap analysis: Identify keywords your competitors are missing.
- Explore niche-specific sources: Look at industry forums, social media, and communities for insights.
By following these strategies, you can discover a wide range of long-tail keywords that will help you drive targeted traffic to your site, optimize your content, and improve your chances of ranking in search engine results.