The number of words in a search query (short-tail vs long-tail keywords).
Ever feel like you are writing content for a lot of different keywords, but you are not sure if they are the right ones? It can be tough to know what people are actually typing into Google. But what if I told you that the length of a search query can tell you a lot about what a person wants? I am going to talk about something called Query Length. I have been in this game for 15 years, and I have learned that understanding this is key to creating content that people actually want to read. I am going to explain exactly what is Query Length and give you some simple, actionable tips to make your content work smarter for you. You will walk away knowing how to get more of the right people to your site.
So, what is Query Length? It is the number of words in a search query. Queries can be short (1-2 words), medium (3-4 words), or long-tail (5+ words). Each length tells you something different about the user’s intent. For example, a person searching for “shoes” is probably just browsing, but a person searching for “buy waterproof running shoes for men” knows exactly what they want.
Understanding Query Length is a major part of good SEO. A short query is usually very broad and has a lot of competition. A long-tail query is very specific and has less competition but a higher chance of conversion. By targeting long-tail keywords, you can attract a very specific audience that is more likely to buy from you or read your content.
How Query Length Impacts Different CMS Platforms
The principles of targeting different query lengths apply to every website, no matter the CMS. Your platform is just the tool you use to create the content. I am going to show you how to think about this with some of the most popular platforms. The goal is to create content that matches the user’s intent, no matter how long their search query is.
WordPress
WordPress is a perfect platform for handling different query lengths because you can easily create different types of content. I recommend you use your blog to create long-tail, specific articles that answer a user’s exact question. For short, broad keywords, you can create a pillar page that links to all your smaller, more specific articles.
Shopify
For Shopify, you can use Query Length to create a clear content strategy. Your main product category pages can target short, broad keywords like “shoes.” Your product subcategories can target medium-length keywords like “running shoes.” And your blog can target long-tail keywords like “best waterproof running shoes for trails.”
Wix
Wix makes it easy to create new pages and blog posts. You can use this to your advantage by creating a specific page for each query length. For example, a single page titled “Web Design Services” can target a broad query, and a blog post titled “How to choose a web designer for a small business” can target a long-tail one. This helps you get a lot of different kinds of traffic.
Webflow
Webflow’s design freedom allows you to build a single landing page that can target a lot of different query lengths. You can have a main section that targets a broad keyword and then have subsections that go into a lot of detail about more specific, long-tail keywords. This helps you have a single, authoritative page that ranks for a lot of different searches.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control to build a system that supports a a query length strategy. You can build a system that encourages your content creators to create long-form, comprehensive content that targets a lot of different keywords. You can also track a lot of related keywords and make sure they are all being covered by a single, authoritative page.
How Query Length Applies to Different Industries
The concept of Query Length is the same for every business, but the way you apply it changes depending on what you do. It is all about figuring out what your audience wants and giving it to them. I am going to show you how to do this for a few key sectors.
Ecommerce
In ecommerce, a short query is usually for browsing, and a long-tail query is for buying. I recommend you use your product category pages for short queries and your product pages for long-tail queries. You can also use a blog to answer long-tail questions about your products, like “how to choose the right size shoe.”
Local Businesses
For a local business, a short query might be “plumber,” and a long-tail query might be “emergency plumber near me in Sialkot.” You should target short queries with your main service pages and long-tail queries with blog posts that answer specific local questions. This helps you get both broad and specific traffic.
SaaS
For a SaaS company, a short query might be “software,” and a long-tail query might be “best project management software for small teams.” You should use your home page for short queries and a blog or a landing page for long-tail queries. This helps you attract a lot of different users and guide them to a sale.
Blogs
For a blog, a long-tail query is a perfect opportunity for you. I recommend you use a keyword tool to find a lot of long-tail keywords in your niche and write an in-depth article that answers a lot of them. This helps you get a lot of very specific traffic that is more likely to become a loyal reader.
FAQ Section
What is the difference between a long-tail keyword and a short-tail keyword?
A short-tail keyword is usually 1-2 words and is very broad, like “shoes.” A long-tail keyword is usually 5 or more words and is very specific, like “buy waterproof running shoes for men.” Long-tail keywords have less competition and are more likely to convert.
Should I only target long-tail keywords?
No, you should have a mix. You should target short-tail keywords with your main pages and long-tail keywords with your blog posts. This helps you get a lot of different kinds of traffic and rank for a lot of different searches.
How can I find long-tail keywords?
You can use a few simple methods. Start by looking at your Google Search Console reports. Look for a lot of similar, low-ranking keywords that are all pointing to the same page. You can then create a new, single page that targets all of them. You can also use a keyword tool to find related keywords that you should cover in one article.
What is “search intent” and how does it relate to query length?
Search intent is the reason a person is searching for something. Query length is a great way to figure out a person’s intent. A short query is usually for browsing, and a long-tail query is for buying or learning something very specific. By understanding this, you can create content that perfectly matches the user’s intent.
