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Long-tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that typically consist of three or more words. While they have lower search volume individually, they're essential for building comprehensive SEO strategies and often deliver better results than shorter, more competitive keywords.

What are long-tail keywords?​

Long-tail keywords are specific phrases that searchers use when they're looking for something particular or are closer to making a decision.

Short-tail keyword: running shoes

Long-tail keywords:

  • best running shoes for flat feet
  • waterproof trail running shoes under $100
  • how to choose running shoes for marathon training

The longer and more specific the phrase, the more it qualifies as a long-tail keyword.

Why long-tail keywords matter​

Long-tail keywords offer several advantages over short-tail keywords:

Less competition​

Fewer websites target specific long-tail phrases, making it easier to rank well in search results. While a short-tail keyword like "content marketing" might be dominated by major publications, "content marketing strategy for B2B SaaS startups" has far less competition.

Higher conversion rates​

Specific searches indicate specific intent. Someone searching for "shoes" is browsing, but someone searching for "women's waterproof hiking boots size 8" is ready to buy. Long-tail keywords attract visitors who know what they want.

Better match to user intent​

Long-tail keywords reveal what users are actually looking for. They help you create content that directly answers questions and solves specific problems, leading to better reader engagement.

Easier to rank​

Lower competition means you can rank faster and with less authority. This is especially valuable for new websites or those entering competitive niches.

Compound value​

While each long-tail keyword has lower volume, targeting dozens or hundreds of related long-tail keywords can drive significant traffic collectively.

Long-tail keywords and content clusters​

Long-tail keywords are the foundation of effective content clusters. Here's how they work together:

The cluster structure​

  • Pillar article: Targets a broader short-tail keyword (e.g., "email marketing")
  • Supporting articles: Each targets specific long-tail keywords (e.g., "how to write email subject lines that get opened", "email automation tools for small businesses")

Supporting the pillar​

Each long-tail article in your cluster serves multiple purposes:

  • Ranks for its specific long-tail keyword
  • Attracts targeted traffic
  • Links internally to support the pillar article
  • Demonstrates comprehensive coverage of the topic
  • Builds topical authority

By targeting many low-competition long-tail keywords through supporting articles, you strengthen your rankings for the more competitive short-tail keywords in your pillar content.

Understanding user intent​

Long-tail keywords reveal user intent more clearly than short-tail keywords:

Informational intent: how to train for a marathon The user wants to learn something.

Navigational intent: nike running shoes official site The user wants to find a specific website.

Transactional intent: buy brooks ghost 14 women's size 9 The user is ready to make a purchase.

Commercial investigation: best budget running shoes 2024 reviews The user is comparing options before buying.

Understanding intent helps you create content that matches what searchers actually need, improving relevance and engagement.

Finding long-tail keywords​

Long-tail keywords come from:

  • Search engine autocomplete suggestions
  • "People also ask" boxes in search results
  • Related searches at the bottom of search results
  • Keyword research tools
  • Customer questions and feedback
  • Forum discussions and social media

How Machined targets long-tail keywords​

When you create a cluster in Auto-pilot mode, Machined automatically identifies relevant long-tail keywords within your topic and creates articles targeting them. This creates a cluster where:

  • Multiple supporting articles target specific long-tail keywords
  • These articles link to and support your pillar content targeting broader keywords
  • Your site demonstrates comprehensive coverage of the topic
  • You rank for dozens of related search terms, not just one

The result is more organic traffic from highly targeted visitors, with less competition than targeting only broad keywords.