What are Long-Tail Keywords?

Long-tail keywords are highly specific keywords with lower search volume, typically longer than core (head) keywords. They usually consist of 3-5 words (sometimes more).

Long-tail keywords are named this way because they are located at the tail end of the search demand curve(lower search volume, more specific)。

Important note:

Long-tail keywords account for 70% of Google search queries.

Three Types of Long-Tail Keywords

Based on their function, long-tail keywords are generally categorized into the following types:

1. Supporting Keywords

Supporting keywords don't represent a single topic but support broader topics and related core keywords.

2. Topical Keywords

Topical keywords focus on specific topics, representing independent themes without support from related core keywords.

3. "Weird" Keywords

Can specify a single topic while also covering broader topics like supporting keywords.

Supporting Keywords in Detail

Supporting keywords are variants of popular search queries. For example, "best printer/scanner for home use" has lower search volume than "best all in one printer" but similar meaning.

Google's algorithm can "understand" different phrasings used by users searching for the same topic, and will provide relevant search results even when search queries don't exactly match page content.

Optimization tip:

There's no need to create separate pages for each long-tail keyword. Instead, incorporate these keywords into a single page or optimize for a specific long-tail keyword.

Topical Keywords in Detail

Topical keywords focus on specific topics, such as "private blog network" with a monthly search volume of only 250.

This means "private blog network" has no related core keywords to support it; it's an independent topic.

Advantages:

Though low in search volume, these keywords are more specific, represent particular topics, better attract users with clear needs, and are easier to rank for.

"Weird" Keywords in Detail

SE Ranking proposed a third category—"weird" ones. These can specify individual topics while also covering broader topics like supporting keywords.

Keywords with location modifiers

Examples: "Best gluten-free bakeries in Guangzhou", "SEO services in Guangzhou"

Seasonal queries

Examples: "Fashion trends 2023", "Summer grilling recipes and ideas"

Long descriptive names for specific objects

Examples: "South China National Botanical Garden", "how I met my partner"

Case analysis:

"Best gluten-free bakeries in Guangzhou"

  • "Guangzhou" is a location modifier, indicating the user is interested in gluten-free bakeries in the specific location of Guangzhou
  • "Best gluten-free bakeries" indicates the user wants to search for broader topics related to gluten-free food

Understanding the types of long-tail keywords is useful, but the focus should be on how long-tail keywords can be leveraged in SEO optimization and how to optimize for them.