Longer, more specific search queries, usually low competition and high conversion intent.
Have you ever felt like you are shouting your website’s name into a huge crowd, but no one hears you? I know that feeling of frustration when your ideal customers cannot find your amazing content.
I want to let you in on a secret that changed my SEO game over the last 15 years. This simple tactic, using tail keywords, will help highly motivated visitors find your website right now. I will walk you through what they are, and I will share actionable tips you can use no matter what platform you are on.
What are Tail Keywords?
Tail keywords are simply longer, more specific search phrases that people type into search engines like Google. Think of them as the exact questions or detailed needs of your perfect customer, not just general terms. For example, instead of the very broad term “shoes,” a tail keyword is “best waterproof hiking boots for men in Canada.”
These phrases have lower search volume than short, generic keywords, but they have much lower competition. This means it is easier for my website to rank high for them, and the traffic I get is much more likely to buy or sign up.
The Power of Tail Keywords Across CMS Platforms
No matter if you use a simple or a complex website builder, you can harness the power of tail keywords. The key difference lies in how easily you can implement your SEO strategy.
WordPress
WordPress is incredibly flexible for using tail keywords, thanks to excellent SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath. I can easily optimize every title, heading, and meta description for a specific long-tail phrase. This platform is my go-to for complex content strategies where I create many blog posts targeting different tail keywords.
Shopify
For my e-commerce businesses on Shopify, I find that tail keywords are vital for product pages and collections. The platform has solid built-in SEO features for adding my specific keywords to product descriptions and page titles. I also use the blog feature to create content answering detailed customer questions, which are perfect tail keywords.
Wix
Wix has user-friendly SEO wizards that guide me in adding my keywords to page metadata and headings. While I might have less control than with WordPress, I still find it easy to focus my blog posts and service pages on those niche tail keywords. The ease of use makes it a great choice for business owners new to SEO.
Webflow
Webflow gives me excellent control over clean code and site structure, which search engines love. This clean foundation makes it very easy to integrate tail keywords into the CMS collections for dynamic content like case studies or project portfolios. The platform’s speed is a great bonus that helps my tail keyword content rank well.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I have full freedom to build the perfect structure for my tail keywords. I can ensure that every single element, from URL structure to schema markup, is optimized for search. While it requires more technical effort, this full control offers the highest long-term SEO advantage for a large, unique site.
How Tail Keywords Apply to Different Industries
I use tail keywords differently depending on the client and their industry, but the goal is always the same: finding people with high intent.
Ecommerce
In e-commerce, I use tail keywords to capture people who are ready to buy. For example, instead of ranking for “running shoes,” I target phrases like “lightweight women’s trail running shoes size 9.” These detailed phrases lead directly to high conversion rates and focused sales.
Local Businesses
For a local business, I always make sure the tail keywords include a specific location, a service, and an intent modifier. I focus on terms like “emergency plumber near me open now” or “best Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago with outdoor seating.” This strategy is key for driving immediate foot traffic or service calls from my local area.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
With SaaS, I target tail keywords that show the customer is comparing solutions or looking for a specific feature. My strategy includes content on “project management software vs Trello” or “how to integrate marketing automation with Salesforce.” This content attracts users who are close to making a final decision about a software tool.
Blogs
For blogs, tail keywords are the backbone of my entire content strategy. I write articles that answer very specific user questions, like “why is my sourdough starter not bubbling” or “best camera for travel vlogging under $500.” This approach builds my site’s authority on niche topics and brings in a loyal, engaged audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a head keyword and a tail keyword?
A head keyword is a short, very general term like “coffee,” with high search volume and high competition. A tail keyword is a long, specific phrase like “how to make cold brew coffee at home,” with low volume but high user intent.
How long should my tail keywords be?
There is no exact rule for length, but my best-performing tail keywords usually have three to five words or more. The most important thing is that the phrase is specific and matches a clear search intent.
Are tail keywords better for SEO than short keywords?
Tail keywords are not necessarily “better,” but they are often easier to rank for and drive more qualified traffic. I use both: short keywords for general topic pages and many tail keywords for specific blog posts and products.
How do I find new tail keywords for my website?
I find new tail keywords by using Google’s “People also ask” section and the autocomplete suggestions when I start typing. Talking to my customers and looking at common questions in forums also gives me great ideas.
