Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that individually have low search volume but together make up the majority of all searches. “SEO” is a short “head” keyword; “how to fix crawled currently not indexed in WordPress” is a long-tail keyword.

Written by Paul Hoda, SEO consultant since 2005. Last updated 8 November 2026.

Where the name comes from

If you plot keywords by search volume, a small number of popular terms form a tall “head”, while millions of rarer, specific searches form a long, flat “tail”. Each tail keyword is searched rarely, but there are so many of them that they account for most search activity.

Why long-tail keywords are valuable

  • Clear intent: specific searches reveal exactly what someone wants, so it is easier to match their Search Intent.
  • Higher conversion rates: “emergency plumber in Islington open now” is much closer to a booking than “plumber”.
  • Lower competition: fewer sites target them, so they are easier to rank for (Keyword Difficulty).
  • Faster results: new and smaller sites can win traffic from long-tail searches while building authority.
  • Natural fit with voice and AI search: people ask full questions when speaking or using AI assistants.

Types of long-tail keywords

  • Question keywords: “how much does a website migration cost”.
  • Problem keywords: “Google rankings dropped after redesign”.
  • Specific product or service keywords: “WordPress speed optimisation for WooCommerce”.
  • Local keywords: “SEO consultant in Canary Wharf”.
  • Comparison keywords: “Rank Math vs Yoast for small business”.

How to find long-tail keywords

  1. Google autocomplete: type your topic and note the suggestions, adding letters or question words.
  2. People Also Ask and related searches at the bottom of the results.
  3. Google Search Console: look for long queries your pages already appear for; they often reveal content gaps.
  4. Keyword tools: filter by word count or question format.
  5. Customer conversations: emails, sales calls and live chat logs are full of long-tail questions.
  6. Forums and communities where your audience asks for help.

How to target long-tail keywords

  • Do not create a separate page for every variation. Many long-tail keywords belong on one comprehensive page that covers the topic well. Group them with Keyword Clustering.
  • Answer specific questions within broader pages using clear headings.
  • Create dedicated pages when a long-tail topic has its own distinct intent, such as a specific problem and its fix.
  • Use FAQs on service and product pages to cover common questions.
  • Write naturally: Google understands meaning, so you do not need to repeat the exact phrase awkwardly.

Long-tail keywords and topical authority

Covering many related long-tail questions in depth builds Topical Authority. Over time this helps your site rank for more competitive head terms too, because Google sees you as a reliable source on the subject.

Do not judge long-tail keywords by volume alone

Many valuable long-tail searches show “0” or “10” monthly searches in tools (Search Volume). If a phrase clearly matches what your customers ask, it is usually worth covering.

Key Takeaways

  • Long-tail keywords are specific, lower-volume searches.
  • Together they make up most search activity.
  • They have clearer intent, less competition and higher conversion rates.
  • Group related long-tail phrases on one strong page.
  • Do not dismiss phrases that tools show as zero volume.

Related Terms

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