Choosing the right keywords for your website is an essential component of a successful Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. But which keywords should you use for your website between short-tail vs long-tail?
Worry not.
Our short-tail vs long-tail keywords guide will help you decide which keywords are right for your business, and how you can use them to your advantage.
After all, your keywords can improve the visibility of your website in the SERPs and ensure your content reaches the right audience at the right time.
So, knowing the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords can help you create an effective keyword strategy.
Let’s understand them in detail.
All businesses want to learn how to get on the first page of Google. Optimizing your website with the right keywords can help you get you there.
But for that, it’s important to have a basic understanding of short-tail vs long-tail keywords and how you can use each of them to your advantage.
Also known as “head terms”, short-tail keywords are search terms that typically contain one to two words. They are general and broad in nature which makes them more competitive as they are searched for more frequently. These terms typically have huge volumes.
For example, “running shoes” is a short-tail keyword. When you search for this term on Google, you get an enormous amount of results within seconds.
Image via Google
Although short-tail keywords receive a lot of traffic, the generic search may not cater to the specific search intent. This means you may not attract your target or niche audience to your website using short-tail keywords.
Long-tail keywords are made up of three or more words and are generally more specific than short-tail keywords.
They are more descriptive to match specific user intent and attract a niche audience to your website who may be interested in your product. They drive significant traffic and have high search volume, as shown below.
Image via Google
A user looking for ‘affordable running shoes for flat feet’ is more likely to come across your website and make a purchase compared to someone searching for the more generic term “running shoes”.
Now that you’ve understood the basic differences between short-tail vs long-tail keywords, let’s dig deeper.
Long tail keywords have a lower search volume as compared to short-tail keywords. That said, the volume is highly targeted, meaning they’re the best bet for you if you want to bring in more qualified traffic to your website.
Image via Semrush
Short-tail vs long-tail keywords are different in terms of keyword competition.
Since long-tail keywords are more specific to your business, chances are, not many other marketers are looking to use the same keywords in their keyword strategy. This means you can rank well for targeted long-tail keywords with relative ease as they have lower competition compared to short-tail keywords.
The conversion rates for short-tail vs long-tail keywords aren’t the same either. Long tail keywords have a higher conversion rate as compared to short-tail keywords as they’re better targeted.
When a user searches with long tail keywords, they are likely looking for a specific product to meet their needs. They are far along in the buying process.
On the contrary, when a user searches with short-tail keywords, they are likely trying to start their research phase and are not ready to make a purchase yet. Hence, short-tail keywords have a lower conversion rate.
Since short-tail keywords have a large search volume, there’s bound to be a ton of competition for Google Ads, meaning they have a higher CPC.
As a wider audience uses them, marketers are willing to pay more for short-tail keywords to rank for them to improve their brand awareness.
Conversely, long-tail keywords are less expensive due to lower competition and less search volumes. This makes them more affordable yet targeted.
An optimal SEO strategy should mix both short-tail and long-tail keywords to reach a wide range of potential customers and increase conversions for your business.
With the right short-tail vs long-tail keywords balance, you’ll be able to attract customers at each stage of the sales funnel. Additionally, you’ll get the best of both high volume and better targeting.
Here are some ways you can find impactful short-tail and long tail keywords for the best results.
You can brainstorm potential short-tail vs long-tail keywords by putting yourself in your prospect’s shoes. Try to think about the phrases they would use to find your business.
Start by brainstorming your main topic. For example, if you run a fitness blog, your topic might be “workouts” or “nutrition.” Write down a few related words that describe your niche and use them to form the base for your keywords.
For short-tail keywords, focus on broad concepts rather than specific details. Skip questions or phrases and stick to core terms. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, often take the form of questions.
A great starting point to find some long-tail keywords is looking at Google’s autocomplete suggestions that let you know the top search terms users are searching for.
Image via Google
Another spot where you can find relevant long-tail keywords that you can use to optimize your website is the bottom of your search results page.
Image via Google
The “People Also Search For” section is a valuable tool for identifying variations of short-tail vs long-tail keywords. It provides insights based on actual related questions asked by your target audience.
There are many tools that can help you carry out in-depth keyword research to identify the best short-tail and long-tail keywords for your business.
For example, Google Adwords Keyword Planner can help you generate short-tail as well as long-tail keyword ideas to boost the rankings of your website.
Specialized tools like Answer the Public or KeywordTool.io are built for long-tail keyword research. Answer the Public creates a visual map of related questions based on your topic.
It can transform the search “running shoes” into the question, “What are the best running shoes for beginners?”. KeywordTool.io, on the other hand, displays results in a much simpler format that’s easier to interpret.
Apart from that, this short-tail vs long-tail keywords tool can help you estimate the traffic you can expect from each keyword and the cost of running ads for those keywords.
Image via Google
Another effective way to find good short-tail vs long-tail keywords is by observing what your high-performing competitors are doing. By observing their keyword choices and content approach, you can uncover valuable opportunities for your own site.
One of the best tools for this is Ahref’s Site Explorer. All you need to do is enter your competitor’s URL and access a detailed analysis of all their long-tail and short-tail keywords.
Image via Ahrefs
You’ll be surprised by how resourceful online forums like Reddit and Quora can be for short-tail vs long-tail keywords use.
For example, search for your topic on Reddit and browse through threads. The phrases people use in their questions or comments can provide valuable keyword ideas that you can directly incorporate into your strategy.
On Quora, try typing in your niche, and you’ll find numerous questions from real users. These platforms offer insight into your targeted audience's language and specific needs. They can help you generate long-tail and short-tail keywords.
Here’s an example of a Reddit page that focuses on SEO. A simple “keyword” search returned multiple results showing how to find keywords.
Image via Reddit
Although they serve different purposes, combining long-tail and short-tail keywords can be highly effective. The key is finding the right balance between the two.
You can hit your SEO goals when you use both short-tail vs long-tail keywords. You can use short-tail keywords for visibility and long tail keywords to help target your core audience more effectively, driving higher-quality traffic.
To find the right balance, use appropriate short-tail vs long-tail keywords research tools. Analyse search intent and match your keywords with informational content and purchase-driven pages.
On top of this, try blending both into your content as naturally as possible. For example, long tail keywords perform very well within titles. Finally, track the results and continuously adjust until you land on a working formula.
Q1. Should I use long-tail or short-tail keywords?
A. You should use long-tail keywords when you want to draw a more targeted and specific audience to your website. Long-tail keywords are likely to match their specific intent and have a higher conversion value.
On the other hand, short-tail keywords can be used to attract a wider audience to your website or to rank web pages for general search queries. They can also be used to create brand awareness and increase the visibility of your website.
Q2. Are long-tail keywords better?
A. Long-tail keywords may be considered better for SEO as they are more specific. Users who search for them are often further along in the buying process, which makes it easier for them to convert.
However, long-tail keywords are best when used in conjunction with short-tail keywords. Finding the right balance is crucial to making a comprehensive SEO strategy.
Q3. What are short-tail keywords examples?
A. Short-tail keywords are short and generic. Some examples of short-tail keywords include “fitness”, “SEO”, “beauty”, “science”, “artificial intelligence” and so on.
Q4. What is a long-tail keyword example?
A. Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific. Some examples of long-tail keywords include “how to start exercising for beginners”, “SEO services for small businesses”, “affordable beauty products for oily skin” and so on.
Q5. Are long-tail keywords cheaper?
A. Yes, when it comes to short-tail vs long-tail keywords, the long-tail keywords are generally cheaper as opposed to short-tail keywords. This is because long tail keywords have lesser competition and they are less common. As these keywords don’t garner as many searches, they are in low demand and that translates to less money being spent on ads for them.
Q6. What is the difference between long-tail keyword and short tail keyword?
A.The main differences between short-tail vs long-tail keywords are search volume, length, and competitiveness. Long tail keywords are better for conversion as they have a more targeted search intent with less competition. Short-tail keywords, on the other hand, are designed for visibility.
Q7. Can you find long tail keywords for free?
A. You can find long tail keywords for free by searching a simple topic on Google. Follow this up by cycling through autocomplete search results until you find a relevant long tail keyword. Finally, analyze top-ranking pages for the keyword using a reliable traffic checker tool.
To conclude, the debate between short-tail vs long-tail keywords can be difficult for businesses to navigate. This is mainly because both short-tail keywords and long tail keywords can play a huge role in driving traffic and leads to a website.
While short-tail keywords are generic and more competitive, long tail keywords are specific and have low volumes.
It’s important to strike the right short-tail vs long-tail keywords balance for a well-rounded SEO strategy. This could be the key to optimizing your website for search engines which can ultimately result in higher conversion rates for your business.
Still have questions? Ask them in the comments section.
If you are looking to uncover the secrets of funnel hacking to optimize conversions and…
DocHipo Review: The Summary Box DocHipo is a novel and free graphic design tool, aimed…
For over a decade, Fiverr has connected businesses, marketers, and freelancers from all over the…
With the decline of traditional marketing, influencers have become more important than ever. And why…
As businesses grow increasingly competitive, the only way for companies to survive is to be…
Breaking into the freelancing industry is no easy feat, especially if you're stuck trying to…