Confused by keyword choices? Don’t be! This blog unveils the difference between “short tail” and “long tail” keywords. Learn why targeting specific phrases can be more effective than generic terms for attracting ideal customers to your website.
Published on July 20, 2009
When clients first become aware of Search Engine Optimisation, their first question is, “How do I get on the first page of Google for [insert common keyword here]?”.
- E.g. #1: A bed and breakfast want page one on Google for “bed and breakfast.”
- E.g. #2: A real estate agent wants page one on Google for “real estate.”
This is the short tail…
A page-one placement for a generic keyword is nice, but it’s really, really hard to get.
Then There is Long Tail
The long tail is about getting first-page placements for long search phrases.
This is much easier to do…
Imagine for a moment that you own a Bed and Breakfast in Papamoa, Tauranga. Which would you rather have:
- 20 visits a day from searches for “bed and breakfast.”
- Or 5 – 10 highly targeted daily visits from a diverse range of phrases such as “Where can I find a bed and breakfast near Papamoa?” or “Bnb in the Bay of Plenty with views of the beach.”
I say both, but I recommend going with #2 first. It’s just a bit easier and will take less time to achieve.
The “Keyword” Report in Google Analytics
One of my favourite reports in Google Analytics is “Keywords,” which shows you exactly what phrases people have used to find you in Google.
Keywords that you keep getting found for appear at the top, and they are great, but the real magic is lower on the list for very long phrases that only one person has used once.
We want to grow the length of this list from 500 (for example) to 1000 a month because that represents 500 extra visitors to your website that your top-performing keywords would never generate on their own.
Note: As of 2012, Google Analytics has retired the ability to see the full list of keywords used in organic search. To see these details, you need to access Google’s search console, which can be linked to your Google Analytics account.
The Best Keyword Research Tools
Here are some of the top keyword research tools for SEO and website optimisation!
Semrush
This all-in-one SEO software offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including keyword research, competitor analysis, on-page SEO audit, backlink tracking, and more.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is another powerful SEO toolset that includes keyword research capabilities. It boasts an extensive keyword database and offers features like keyword difficulty score, search volume, click-through rate (CTR) data, and keyword grouping.
Moz Keyword Explorer
This popular keyword research tool from Moz balances features and affordability well. It offers keyword suggestions, search volume data, keyword difficulty score, and organic search results analysis.
Google Keyword Planner
This is a free keyword research tool from Google Ads. While it’s primarily designed for keyword research for pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, it can also be a valuable tool for SEO. It provides search volume data, keyword ideas, and competition insights. However, remember that the search volume data provided by Google Keyword Planner may not be as accurate as the data from paid SEO tools.
Mangools KW Finder
This budget-friendly keyword research tool offers a good balance of features and affordability. It provides keyword suggestions, search volume data, keyword difficulty score, and SERP (search engine results page) analysis.
Serpstat
This is an all-in-one SEO platform that includes keyword research capabilities. It offers a large keyword database, search volume data, keyword difficulty score, and CPC data. Serpstat also has features for competitor analysis, on-page SEO audit, and backlink tracking.
Beyond Generic
Stop chasing generic keywords! Found SEO helps identify high-performing long-tail keywords that attract qualified leads to your website.
Let’s discuss your SEO strategy today! –Get in touch!
