An analysis showing how demand for a keyword changes over time or across search volume ranges.
Ever feel like you are writing content for a lot of different keywords, but you are not sure which ones are the best to target? It can be tough to know where to spend your time. But what if I told you there is a simple concept that can help you make a better decision? I am going to talk about something called the Query Demand Curve. I have been in this game for 15 years, and I have learned that understanding this is key to creating a content strategy that actually works. I am going to explain exactly what is the Query Demand Curve 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 with less work.
So, what is the Query Demand Curve? It is a graph that shows the relationship between a keyword’s search volume and its specificity. On one side of the curve, you have very popular, short-tail keywords with a lot of search volume. On the other side, you have very specific, long-tail keywords with a low search volume. The curve shows that as a keyword gets more specific, its search volume goes down, but its conversion rate and intent go up.
This is a major part of good SEO because it helps you decide what keywords to target. While a high-volume keyword can bring a lot of traffic, it also has a lot of competition. A low-volume, long-tail keyword might not bring as much traffic, but it is often easier to rank for and can bring a very specific, qualified audience to your site. The goal is to find a good balance between the two, which is called the “sweet spot” on the curve.
How the Query Demand Curve Impacts Different CMS Platforms
The principles of the Query Demand Curve 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 what people are searching for at every stage of their journey.
WordPress
WordPress is a perfect platform for handling the Query Demand Curve because you can easily create different types of content. I recommend you use your blog to create content for the long-tail keywords on the curve, which are often easier to rank for. For the short, broad keywords on the curve, you can create a pillar page that links to all your smaller, more specific articles.
Shopify
For Shopify, you can use the Query Demand Curve to create a clear content strategy. Your main product category pages can target the short-tail keywords. Your product subcategories can target the medium-tail keywords. And your blog can target the long-tail keywords, which are often more specific and ready to buy.
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 part of the curve. For example, a single page titled “Web Design Services” can target a short-tail keyword, 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 parts of the curve. 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 Query Demand Curve 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 the Query Demand Curve Applies to Different Industries
The concept of the Query Demand Curve 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-tail keyword is for browsing, and a long-tail keyword is for buying. I recommend you use your product category pages for short-tail keywords and your product pages for long-tail keywords. 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-tail keyword might be “plumber,” and a long-tail keyword might be “emergency plumber near me in Sialkot.” You should target short-tail keywords with your main service pages and long-tail keywords with blog posts that answer specific local questions. This helps you get both broad and specific traffic.
SaaS
For a SaaS company, a short-tail keyword might be “software,” and a long-tail keyword might be “best project management software for small teams.” You should use your home page for short-tail keywords and a blog or a landing page for long-tail keywords. This helps you attract a lot of different users and guide them to a sale.
Blogs
For a blog, a long-tail keyword 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 “sweet spot” on the Query Demand Curve?
The sweet spot is the perfect balance between search volume and specificity. It is a long-tail keyword that has enough search volume to bring you a lot of traffic but is also specific enough that you have a good chance of ranking for it. It is the best place to start your keyword research.
How can I find out the search volume of a keyword?
You can use a few simple tools. Google’s Keyword Planner is a free tool that can tell you the search volume of a keyword. You can also use paid tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to find out the search volume and competition for a keyword.
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.
What is “search intent” and how does it relate to the Query Demand Curve?
Search intent is the reason a person is searching for something. The Query Demand Curve is a great way to figure out a person’s intent. A short-tail keyword is usually for browsing, and a long-tail keyword is for buying or learning something very specific. By understanding this, you can create content that perfectly matches the user’s intent.
