In the world of search engines, keywords are just like guiding lights, which help people find what they want. It might be something like "best smartphones" or "how to fix a flat tire" or something else. However, most marketers probably aren't aware of the fact that keywords come in different forms. Well, you don't have to worry about this anymore. In this blog, you will learn about short-tail and long-tail keywords. But, yes, before moving further, you must clearly understand keywords. Let's dive in!
What Are Keywords?
Keywords are words or phrases a user enters when searching online, like the ones for Google. If your content includes the keywords appropriately, it is more likely to pop up on the first page of Google.
For example, if your blog is about the best cameras for photography, and someone is typing "best cameras for beginners," your blog may pop up if you have included that keyword in your content. In other words, keywords connect people's searches with the content you post.
What Are Short-Tail Keywords?
Short-tail keywords are also called head or primary keywords. They are highly generic search terms. In every case, they consist of just one or two words like "pizza", "fitness", or “red apple” because they are broad, and many people may be looking for them. However, for that very reason, it is much more challenging to rank with these keywords because of the sheer number of competitors.
While they bring a lot of traffic, short-tail keywords do not necessarily bring in the right traffic. For instance, if someone is typing "pizza," they might be looking for pizza recipes, the location of nearby pizza restaurants, or even pizza delivery services. So, it is difficult to know what they really want.
What Are Long-Tail Keywords?
Long-tail keywords are often much more specific, usually with three words or more. It might be "best pizza places in New York" or "beginner workout routines for women." Those long-tail phrases might have fewer searches than the primary keyword, but they are much more targeted. There's a higher likelihood of people using those terms for something particular, and that's where your content can answer the user’s query.
Because long-tail keywords are often more niched down, they may have less competition, which makes it easier for your website to rank higher. For instance, you are much more likely to rank for "best gluten-free pizza in Brooklyn" than just "pizza."
Difference Between Short-Tail and Long-Tail Keywords
To understand these keywords even more clearly, let's differentiate between their characteristics and what makes each of them distinctive.
Aspect | Short-Tail Keywords | Long-Tail Keywords |
Length | 1-2 words | 3 or more words |
Example | "laptops" | "best laptops for students under $500" |
Search Volume | Very High | Lower but more targeted |
Competition | Very High | Low to Moderate |
Conversion Rate | Lower because of less specific intent | Higher because of specific intent |
Best For | Brand awareness and attracting a broad audience | Targeting niche audiences and increasing conversions |
Ease of Ranking | Harder due to competition | Easier due to lower competition |
How to Use Short-Tail and Long-Tail Keywords?
Now that you know the major difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords, how do you apply that knowledge to improve your SEO? Let us see:
Use Short-Tail for Awareness: If you are a new startup or want to attract new people, use short-tail keywords for awareness building. For example, a new fitness blog will find using terms like "fitness tips" pretty helpful when trying to reach more people.
Long-tail for More Specific Targeting: When your website has higher exposure, long-tail targeting will be helpful when trying to reach more specific audiences. For example, instead of using the phrase "fitness tips," you can use "fitness tips for busy moms." This narrows down the targeted audience to visit your website, and chances are improved that visitors will have a good time browsing it.
Mix It Up: A healthy SEO strategy balances using short-tail and long-tail keywords. Short-tail keywords can bring traffic, but it's less likely to increase lead conversion and engagement.
Why are Long-Tail Keywords Crucial for Ranking?
While using long-tail keywords, you may be a little skeptical because of their low search volume, that is precisely where the SERP magic happens. And here's why:
Less Competition: There is just less content competition for long-tail keywords, and therefore, your page has a better chance of ranking top in any search result page.
Higher Conversion Rates: Those who use long-tail keywords are typically very specific about their intent, so they will be much more likely to convert-whether that means they'll buy a product or sign up for a service.
Voice Search: The new wave in voice-activated use, such as Alexa and Google Assistant, is creating a means for people to ask searches using more conversational, long-tail keywords. For example, someone might say, "Where can I find the best vegan pizza near me?" instead of just typing "vegan pizza."
How Can You Find the Right Keyword?
Part of a good SEO strategy is finding the right keywords - this means both long-tail and short-tail keywords. Here's how you can find them:
Keyword Tools: There are tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs that will help you discover what people are searching for. It also lets you know how much competition there is for each keyword. You can also go through a detailed keyword research checklist to ensure you are not missing out on anything while deciding the right keywords.
Research Your Competitors: Check for those keywords used by your competitors. If they are ranking well for those words, then there is a perfect chance it is worth targeting those words as well.
Focus on Search Intent: Your keywords have to target the intent of the searcher. If you were looking to buy, then you might employ transactional keywords such as "best deals for cameras." Or they might just be searching for information, so you use keywords like "how to choose a camera."
Conclusion
Long-tail and short-tail keywords are both simultaneously important. The best way to use them is to include a mix of both in your content. Choose your top performing short-tail keywords with a good amount of specific long-tail keywords. Also, make sure your long-tail keyword satisfies the intent of users' query.
By combining both in your strategy, you can improve your website's visibility, attract the right visitors, and rank higher in search engine results. With proper strategy, your content can climb high on the ladder of search engine.