Long-Tail Keyword
A longer, more specific search query (e.g., "best SEO agency for SaaS startups in Melbourne" vs "SEO agency"). Lower volume, but higher intent and easier to rank for.
Why It Matters
Long-tail keywords are where most organic traffic actually comes from. While individual long-tail queries have low search volume, collectively they make up the majority of all searches. And they convert better because the searcher knows exactly what they want.
For newer or smaller sites, long-tail keywords are the fastest path to meaningful traffic. You can't compete with domain authority giants for "SEO" - but you can absolutely rank for "technical SEO checklist for Shopify stores" with good content.
In Practice
Find long-tail keywords using Google autocomplete, People Also Ask, Answer the Public, and your SEO tool's keyword explorer. Filter for questions, comparisons, and specific modifiers.
Create content that precisely matches long-tail intent. If someone searches "how to fix CLS issues on WordPress," they want a specific tutorial - not a general overview of Core Web Vitals.
Use long-tail keywords to build up your topical authority before targeting broader, more competitive terms. Each long-tail page you rank for adds authority to your site's overall topic coverage.
Related Terms
Glossary
Keyword Research
Finding what your audience searches for - the foundation of every SEO strategy.
Glossary
Keyword Difficulty (KD)
A tool-generated estimate of how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword.
Glossary
Search Intent
The reason behind a search query - matching it is more important than matching keywords.
Glossary
Content Cluster
A group of related pages around a core topic, connected by internal links.
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