Content & Keywords

How to Find Long-Tail Keywords

7 min read

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search queries that individually get less traffic but collectively make up the majority of all searches. They're easier to rank for, convert at higher rates, and help you build topical authority. For newer sites or those competing in tough niches, long-tail keywords are the fastest path to meaningful organic traffic.

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Mine Your Existing Search Data

Start with Google Search Console to find long-tail queries you already appear for but don't rank well. Filter for queries with 4+ words, sort by impressions, and identify terms where you're in positions 8-30. These are your lowest-hanging fruit -- you're already being considered for these terms and just need a push.

Use Autocomplete and Related Searches

Type your seed keywords into Google and note the autocomplete suggestions. After searching, scroll to the bottom for 'Related Searches' and check the 'People Also Ask' section. Each of these is a real query that users actually type. Repeat with variations and question words (how, what, why, best, vs) to expand your list.

Explore Community and Forum Sources

Visit Reddit, Quora, industry forums, and social media groups where your audience asks questions. The exact phrasing people use in questions often matches long-tail search queries. Look for recurring questions, specific problems, and niche topics that broader content doesn't address well.

Expand with Question-Based Keywords

Transform your seed keywords into questions using modifiers: 'how to,' 'what is,' 'why does,' 'best way to,' 'alternatives to,' and 'vs.' Question keywords have clear informational intent, making them easier to create content for. They also have a high chance of earning featured snippets.

Filter by Volume, Difficulty, and Relevance

Evaluate each long-tail keyword against three criteria: Does it have enough search volume to be worth targeting (typically 50+ monthly searches)? Can you realistically rank for it given your site's authority? Is it relevant to your business and likely to attract your target audience? Discard keywords that fail any criterion.

Group Keywords into Content Clusters

Rather than creating a page for every long-tail keyword, group related ones into topic clusters. Create a comprehensive pillar page for the broader topic and supporting content for specific long-tail variations. Internal linking between cluster pages builds topical authority and helps every page in the cluster rank better.

Pro Tips

Target long-tail keywords that indicate purchase readiness. Keywords like 'best CRM for small law firms' or 'affordable organic dog food delivery' show high commercial intent and convert at 2-5x the rate of broad keywords.
Use your existing content's performance data to find long-tail opportunities. If a page ranks for a broad keyword, check Search Console for the specific long-tail queries that drive impressions. Create dedicated sections or new pages for the most promising ones.
Don't ignore zero-volume keywords. Many long-tail queries show zero volume in tools because they're too specific to track, but they still get searched. If a question appears repeatedly in forums and communities, people are searching for it even if tools can't measure it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating thin content for each long-tail keyword

Publishing a separate 300-word page for every long-tail variation creates thin content that won't rank well. Instead, group related long-tail keywords into comprehensive pages that cover the broader topic thoroughly. One strong page targeting a cluster of related terms outperforms ten thin pages.

Ignoring long-tail keywords because of low volume

Dismissing keywords with 50-200 monthly searches is a common mistake. Ten long-tail pages each bringing 100 visitors per month equal the traffic of one page ranking for a 1,000-volume keyword -- and the long-tail visitors typically convert better because their intent is more specific.

Not tracking long-tail keyword performance

Many marketers track only their head terms and ignore long-tail rankings. Set up tracking for your most important long-tail keywords so you can measure progress and identify which ones need optimization. Without tracking, you're flying blind on a major traffic source.

How Keyword Kick Makes It Easy

AI-powered keyword suggestions that generate long-tail variations from your seed keywords with volume, difficulty, and intent data
Search Console integration that reveals long-tail queries you already rank for, making it easy to find quick-win optimization opportunities
Keyword clustering that automatically groups related long-tail keywords into topic clusters for efficient content planning

learn.sections.faq

How long does a keyword need to be to qualify as 'long-tail'?

There's no strict word count. The 'long-tail' refers to the long tail of the search demand curve, meaning less popular, more specific queries. Generally, keywords with 3+ words and lower search volumes are considered long-tail, but a 2-word keyword with very low search volume can also qualify.

Are long-tail keywords less competitive?

Usually, yes. Because they have lower search volumes, fewer sites deliberately target them. However, some long-tail keywords in high-value niches (like finance or legal) can still be competitive. Always check the actual search results to verify difficulty rather than assuming low competition.

How many long-tail keywords should I target per page?

A comprehensive page can naturally rank for dozens of long-tail keywords if it thoroughly covers a topic. Focus on one primary long-tail keyword and 5-10 closely related variations per page. Don't try to force unrelated long-tail keywords onto the same page -- if the topics differ, create separate content.

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