What is an example of a long-tail keyword?

An example of a long-tail keyword is best project management tool for remote startups under 10 people compared to the short-tail keyword project management. The long-tail version has lower search volume but much higher conversion intent because the searcher has a specific need. Other examples include how to do SEO for a SaaS startup or affordable social media scheduling tool for agencies.

How many words make a long-tail keyword?

Long-tail keywords are typically 3 to 7 words long, though there is no strict cutoff. The defining characteristic is specificity and lower search volume, not word count. A 3-word phrase like vegan meal delivery is more specific than food delivery but still relatively short-tail. A 6-word phrase like best vegan meal delivery in Brooklyn is clearly long-tail.

Why are long-tail keywords better for startups?

Long-tail keywords are better for startups because they have lower competition, making it realistic to rank on page one without high domain authority. They also indicate higher purchase intent since specific searches mean the user knows what they want. Ahrefs data shows that 95 percent of all search queries get fewer than 10 searches per month, meaning the vast majority of search traffic comes from long-tail queries.

What Is a Long-Tail Keyword?

A long-tail keyword is a specific, multi-word search phrase that typically has lower monthly search volume but higher conversion intent compared to shorter, more generic keywords. The term comes from the "long tail" of the search demand curve - while a few popular keywords ("shoes," "marketing," "software") get millions of searches, the vast majority of searches are longer, more specific phrases that individually get low volume but collectively represent the bulk of all search traffic. According to Ahrefs' keyword research data, 94.74% of all keywords get 10 or fewer searches per month, and these long-tail queries account for approximately 40% of total search traffic.

How Do Long-Tail Keywords Differ From Short-Tail Keywords?

The distinction is about specificity and intent, not just length:

Short-tail keywords (also called head terms) are 1 to 2 word phrases with high search volume and broad intent. "Running shoes" gets hundreds of thousands of monthly searches, but the searcher could be looking to buy, research, compare, or just browse. Competition for short-tail keywords is intense - you are competing against Nike, Amazon, and every major retailer.

Long-tail keywords are 3 to 7 word phrases with lower volume and specific intent. "Best running shoes for flat feet under 100 dollars" gets far fewer monthly searches, but the searcher knows exactly what they want. Competition is lower because fewer sites create content targeting this specific query, and conversion rates are higher because the searcher is closer to a purchase decision.

The search volume tradeoff is real but misleading. A single long-tail keyword might get 50 searches per month versus 50,000 for the short-tail equivalent. But there are thousands of long-tail variations in any niche, and targeting 100 long-tail keywords at 50 searches each gives you 5,000 monthly searches - all from highly qualified visitors. According to Moz's keyword research guide, long-tail keywords have a 2.5 times higher conversion rate than short-tail keywords on average.

Why Are Long-Tail Keywords Ideal for Startups?

Lower competition. The biggest advantage for startups with low domain authority is that long-tail keywords are actually rankable. You are not competing against Wikipedia and Fortune 500 companies. The SERP for a specific long-tail query often includes smaller sites, forums, and niche blogs that a startup can realistically outrank with better content.

Higher conversion rates. Someone searching "best social media scheduling tool for agencies managing 20 accounts" is much closer to buying than someone searching "social media tools." The specificity of the query reveals intent. Targeting these high-intent queries sends visitors who are more likely to convert into leads, trials, or customers.

Content ideas built in. Long-tail keywords are essentially questions and problems that your target audience has. Each one is a content idea - a blog post, learn page, or FAQ answer that directly addresses a real user need. This makes content marketing planning straightforward: find the long-tail queries your audience searches, then create content that answers them better than anything currently ranking.

Faster ranking timeline. New sites targeting competitive short-tail keywords may wait 12 months or more to reach page one. Long-tail keyword pages can rank within weeks to months because the competition is lower. This faster feedback loop helps startups validate their content strategy and build momentum early.

How Do You Find Long-Tail Keywords?

Keyword research tools. Keyword research tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Ubersuggest show keyword variations, search volumes, and difficulty scores. Filter for keywords with low difficulty (under 30) and moderate volume (10 to 500 monthly searches) to find your best long-tail opportunities.

Google autocomplete. Start typing a query into Google and note the suggestions that appear. These autocomplete suggestions are real searches that users make frequently. "Social media management for..." might suggest "for small business," "for agencies," "for nonprofits" - each a potential long-tail target.

People Also Ask. The PAA section in Google SERPs shows related questions for any query. Each question is a long-tail keyword you can target. Click on one, and Google reveals more related questions - an expanding tree of content opportunities.

Reddit and forums. The exact phrasing people use when asking questions on Reddit, Quora, and industry forums reflects real search language. A post titled "What is the best way to schedule Instagram posts if you manage multiple client accounts?" contains a natural long-tail keyword.

Your own search console data. Google Search Console shows the actual queries people use to find your existing pages. Many of these will be long-tail variations you did not intentionally target. Create dedicated content for the highest-potential queries to capture more of that traffic.

How Do You Optimize Content for Long-Tail Keywords?

The key principle is direct relevance. Create content that answers the specific query completely rather than writing broad content that tangentially covers it.

Use the exact phrase in your title and H1. If your target is "SEO for ecommerce startups," your title should include that exact phrase. This signals to both Google and users that your content directly addresses their search.

Answer the query in the first paragraph. Open with a clear, direct response to the implied question. This definition-first approach is especially important for long-tail queries where the user expects a specific answer.

Cover related subtopics. A comprehensive page on a long-tail keyword naturally includes related long-tail terms. A page about "SEO for ecommerce startups" will naturally mention "product page SEO," "ecommerce keyword research," and "category page optimization" - each of which can capture additional long-tail traffic.

Use FAQ sections. Add 2 to 3 FAQs that target closely related long-tail variations. These structured question-answer pairs can rank independently in Google's People Also Ask sections and AI search results.

For startups building a content strategy from scratch, long-tail keywords are the foundation. Start by identifying 50 to 100 long-tail keywords in your niche, prioritize them by intent and competition, then systematically create content targeting each one. The compound effect of ranking for dozens of specific queries creates a sustainable organic traffic base that grows with each new page published.