Standing out online can be difficult. You may have a great product or an insightful blog, but people might not find you if you don’t use the right keywords. Long-tail keywords are the phrases potential customers type into search engines when they look for exactly what you offer. These keywords are usually less competitive and more targeted. When you use them well, they can significantly increase your conversion rates. In this guide, we will explore practical steps for how to find long-tail keywords that convert.

Steps to Find Long-Tail Keywords

Step 1: Understand What Your Customers Want

understanding your customer wantUnderstanding your customers or your niche is essential in finding long-tail keywords, as only then will you be able to guess what your visitors might look for.

What to Do:

  • Create Detailed Profiles: Identify your target customers’ interests, challenges, and goals.
  • Engage Directly: Utilize surveys, social media, or informal conversations to understand how they articulate their problems and desires.

Why It Matters:

When you understand the requirements of your audience or niche, you can optimize your content to match their search queries. This understanding increases the chances that you will search using your long-tail keywords, for which you’ve optimized.

Example:

If you run a small bakery specializing in gluten-free pastries, your customers might be searching for phrases like “best gluten-free chocolate cake recipe” or “where to buy gluten-free bread near me.”

Step 2: Start with Broad Topics and Narrow Them Down

start with broad kewyords and drill furtherBegin by listing general themes related to your business, then break them into more specific subtopics.

What to Do:

  • List Core Subjects: List down the primary areas that your business addresses.
  • Drill deeper: For each subject, consider related issues or questions your audience may have.

Why It Matters:

This process helps you find more specific areas where your content can rank and competition might be less fierce.

Example:

For a fitness coach, a broad keyword might be “home workouts.If you dig deeper, it could lead to the long tail keywords which are “quick home workouts for busy moms” or “equipment-free exercises for small apartments.”

Step 3: Use Google’s Autocomplete Feature for Inspiration

google autocompleteGoogle’s search suggestions can be a treasure trove of long-tail keyword ideas.

What to Do:

  • Type in Your Broad Topics: See what Google suggests as you type.
  • Note Down Relevant Phrases: These are actual search terms people are using.

Why It Matters:

These suggestions are based on popular searches, so they’re a direct line to what people are actively looking for.

Example:

Typing “organic skincare for” might bring up suggestions like “organic skincare for acne-prone skin” or “organic skincare for sensitive skin.”

Step 4: Explore “People Also Search” and Related Searches

people also search forThese tools on Google’s search results pages can help you to get common questions and related topics on your niche or market.

What to Do:

  • Check “People Also Search”: These questions can give you ideas for content that answers real user queries.
  • Look at “Related Searches” at the bottom of the page. This will help you find additional keywords.

Why It Matters:

Directly answering these questions can enhance your authority and boost your search rankings.

Example:

Google “eco-friendly cleaning products” might show results like “Are eco-friendly cleaners effective?” or related searches like “DIY natural cleaning solutions.”

Step 5: Keyword Research Tools for Data-Driven Insights

keyword research toolsThere are tools available in the market that can help you research and discover more keywords you might not think of, along with valuable metrics.

What to Do:

  • Choose a Tool: Options include Ubersuggest, SEMrush, or AnswerThePublic.
  • Input Your Topics: See what keywords come up.
  • Examine the Metrics: Pay attention to search volume and competition levels.

Why It Matters:

Understanding how often a keyword is searched and how competitive it is can help you prioritize which ones to target.

Example:

If you do Ubersuggest for “plant-based diets,” it might reveal “plant-based diets for beginners” with a high search volume but moderate competition—a good opportunity.

Step 6: Dive into Online Communities and Forums

Platforms such as Reddit, Quora, and specialized forums are places where individuals ask questions and discuss topics relevant to their field.

What to Do:

  • Research for Relevant Threads: Find out discussions that are related to your business.
  • Listen to the Conversation: Pay attention to the language and concerns.
  • Extract Keywords: Note recurring phrases or questions.

Why It Matters:

These websites offer valuable insights into what your audience is looking for.

Example:

On a travel forum or discussion, you might find a thread titled “How to travel Europe on a budget.” This can reveal highly valuable long-tail keywords.

Step 7: Analyze Competitors to Find Gaps and Opportunities

competitor researchLooking at what keywords your competitors rank for can highlight areas you haven’t tapped into yet.

What to Do:

  • Identify Your Competitors: Who else is operating in your space?
  • SEO Tools: Tools like Ahrefs or Moz can help you to find out long tail keywords which aren’t as competitive as broad keywords
  • Spot the Gaps: Find keywords that are relevant to your audience but aren’t heavily targeted by competitors.

Why It Matters:

By finding topics that are missing, you can position your content to fill those gaps and attract more visitors.

Example:

If a competitor focuses on “wedding photography tips,” this might give you an opportunity to create content for “wedding photography tips for introverted couples” and rank for the long-tail keyword.

Step 8: Leverage Question-Based Keywords

question and answersPeople often use search engines to ask questions. Capturing these queries can bring in users looking for specific answers.

What to Do:

  • Use AnswerThePublic: This tool visualizes questions people are asking about your topic.
  • Use These Questions In Your Content: You can create blog posts or FAQs that address these queries.

Why It Matters:

By directly answering questions, your chances of making it into featured snippets and voice search results increase, and also a chance to position yourself as an expert.

 

Example:

Questions like “How often should I service my car?” or “What are the signs of a failing transmission?” can be a long tail keywords for an auto repair shop.

Step 9: Apply Modifiers to Your Keywords

keyword modifiersAdding descriptive words to your keywords can make them more specific and less competitive.

What to Do:

  • Identify Common Modifiers: Words like “best,” “cheap,” “fast,” “guide,” “2023.”
  • Combine Them with Your Keywords: Create longer, more specific phrases.

Why It Matters:

These modifiers help you target users with clear intent, often those ready to make a purchase or decision.

Example:

“Best noise-canceling headphones for travel 2023” is more specific than “noise-canceling headphones.”

Conclusion

Now that you know how to find long-tail keywords that convert, it’s time to focus on understanding your audience and analyzing data effectively. You can attract targeted traffic by identifying your customers’ needs and uncovering hidden keyword opportunities. This approach ensures you draw in visitors who are genuinely interested in your offerings and are more likely to convert into paying customers.

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