You spend hours crafting a great article, hit publish, and still struggle to show up on page one. The problem often isn’t your content quality—it’s that you’re targeting broad, overcrowded keywords instead of the specific long tail phrases your ideal readers actually search for.
Understanding what long tail keywords are, how to uncover them, and where to use them in your workflow can turn “best running shoes” into “best running shoes for flat feet women,” bringing in visitors who are ready to act. You’ll see how to find these phrases with practical tools, build them into topics and outlines, optimize on-page content, and align with both Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT—work that takes intention and consistency, but pays off in more targeted traffic and better results.
In a world where everyone is fighting for the same obvious keywords, the real power belongs to brands that mine the quiet, intent-rich corners of search—long tail queries that Keywordly helps you uncover, shape into content, and scale across both Google and AI platforms before your competitors even know they exist.
Reference: Long Tail Keywords: How to Find & Use Them Effectively
Introduction
Speak in Your Searcher’s Language
Long tail keywords are the exact, specific phrases people type into Google and AI tools like ChatGPT when they already know what they want. Instead of broad terms like “running shoes,” they search for “best running shoes for flat feet women 40+” or “B2B SaaS SEO agency pricing 2024.” These longer, more detailed queries reveal real intent and real problems your audience is trying to solve.
When your content mirrors that searcher language, you stop guessing and start matching. Those precise phrases turn into qualified traffic, email signups, demo requests, and sales because you’re answering the question exactly as it’s asked. This guide focuses on practical discovery and implementation, so you can move from theory to content that actually ranks and converts.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
First, you’ll get clear on what long tail keywords are and why they matter for both SEO and AI visibility. Long tail terms typically have lower search volume but much higher conversion rates; Google’s own data has shown that 15% of daily searches are brand new, often in long tail form. That’s where the opportunity is for content marketers and SEO teams.
You’ll then learn how to find long tail keywords using real search data from tools like Google Search Console, AnswerThePublic, and platforms such as Keywordly. We’ll cover practical methods: mining “People also ask,” analyzing your own query data, and using AI-assisted clustering to group related phrases into content hubs.
Finally, we’ll turn research into action. You’ll see how to plug long tail keywords into briefs, outlines, and on-page copy without keyword stuffing. For example, a Denver-based agency targeting “shopify seo services for fashion brands” can build a full funnel: a service page, a case study, and a comparison guide around that one long tail theme. You’ll also get a preview of how Keywordly streamlines this workflow—from discovery to optimized publishing—so you can scale the same strategy across dozens of topics.
1. Understand What Long Tail Keywords Are and Why They Matter
What Are Long Tail Keywords?
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that usually reflect a clear, niche intent. Instead of a broad keyword like “running shoes,” a long tail query sounds like “best running shoes for flat feet women” or “Nike stability running shoes for overpronation.” These phrases have lower search volume individually, but they’re easier to rank for and tend to bring in visitors who know what they want.
According to Long Tail Keywords: How to Find & Use Them Effectively, these terms typically have lower competition and are longer in length, which makes them powerful for targeted SEO. For SaaS, a term might be “CRM for solo real estate agents using Gmail”; for local services, “emergency plumber in Austin open Sunday”; for ecommerce, “organic hypoallergenic baby blankets for winter.”
Long Tail vs. Short Tail Keyword Research
Short tail are short, broad keywords such as “CRM,” “lawyer,” or “laptops.” They often have huge search volume but intense competition and vague intent—someone searching “CRM” could be looking for definitions, reviews, or pricing. Chasing only head terms can burn budget and time without delivering qualified traffic.
Long tail research works differently. You look for depth and context: specific problems, use cases, and modifiers like “best,” “for,” “near me,” or “how to.” Instead of targeting “email marketing,” you might target “email marketing for real estate listings follow up templates.” Tools like Keywordly, AnswerThePublic, and Google’s People Also Ask help uncover these question-based, scenario-driven phrases.
Why Long Tail Keywords Convert Better
People using long tail queries are usually closer to taking action. A user searching “email marketing” is likely at the research stage, while someone searching “email marketing for real estate listings follow up templates” is hunting for a ready-to-use solution. That intent translates into higher click-through rates, stronger engagement, and more leads or sales when your content matches the query precisely.
For example, HubSpot has driven significant organic leads by publishing articles like “best free email marketing tools for small businesses,” which target high-intent, specific phrases rather than just “email marketing.” Each page may attract modest traffic, but across dozens or hundreds of these assets, long tail content compounds into a substantial, conversion-focused organic channel.
The Role of Long Tail Queries in AI Search
AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini encourage users to type natural, conversational queries. People rarely ask for a single keyword; they describe full scenarios like “create a 5-email drip sequence for new real estate leads” or “outline a content calendar for a B2B SaaS targeting CFOs.” Those are essentially long tail queries expressed in plain language.
When your content is structured around detailed, intent-rich long tail keywords, it’s more likely to be summarized or cited by AI systems that look for precise, contextually relevant answers. Keywordly helps teams map these granular queries to specific content briefs, so your pages align with how people search on both Google and AI platforms, increasing your odds of being surfaced in AI-generated responses.
2. Know When Long Tail Keywords Should Be Your Primary SEO Focus
2. Know When Long Tail Keywords Should Be Your Primary SEO Focus
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “best CRM for real estate agents in Texas” instead of a broad term like “CRM software.” They usually have lower search volume, but much clearer intent and higher conversion potential.
For brands using Keywordly to scale SEO content, understanding when to lean into long tail terms is critical. These phrases help you win rankings faster, build topical authority, and attract visitors who are much closer to taking action.
Sites That Benefit Most from a Long Tail Strategy
Long tail keywords are often the best starting point for smaller sites that can’t yet compete with big brands. If your domain authority is low and you don’t have thousands of backlinks, specific queries give you a realistic path to page-one visibility.
This is especially true for niche businesses, local providers, and B2B brands offering specialized services, where buyers search with very precise needs and modifiers like industry, location, or use case.
A new local roofing company in Denver, for example, has little chance to rank for “roofing” but can target “emergency roof repair Denver 24/7” or “hail damage roof inspection Denver.” Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Keywordly’s research features help uncover these phrases by filtering for low difficulty and local modifiers.
New blogs or SaaS startups can follow the same approach by focusing on long tail queries tied to their most profitable features or use cases to get early organic traction.
Comparing Head Term vs. Long Tail Competition
Head terms like “email marketing” or “project management software” are usually dominated by brands such as HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Asana. When you check keyword difficulty scores or run a SERP analysis, you’ll typically see DA 80+ sites, massive content libraries, and heavy link profiles.
Trying to outrank them with a new or mid-size site is a multi-year project, not a 3–6 month play.
Long tail keywords such as “email marketing for Shopify stores” or “project management software for remote agencies” often show weaker competition and more diverse domains in the top 10. You might see blogs, niche tools, and smaller agencies ranking.
In Keywordly, you can prioritize these opportunities by sorting keywords by difficulty and SERP makeup, then create focused articles that directly answer those specific queries.
When to Prioritize Long Tail Over Broad Terms
If your site is new, has limited backlinks, or lacks deep content around a topic, long tail keywords should be your primary SEO focus. They let you start generating impressions, clicks, and leads while you slowly build the authority needed to compete for broader terms.
Even larger sites use long tail content to capture incremental, high-intent traffic and support their broader keyword goals.
A smart strategy is a hybrid model: treat broad terms like “SEO content strategy” as long-term pillars while using Keywordly to publish clusters around phrases like “SEO content brief template,” “how to plan SEO content calendar,” and “AI tools for SEO content workflow.”
Over time, these long tail pages bring in steady traffic and send strong relevance signals that help your pillar pages climb for those broader terms.
How Long Tail Keywords Support Topical Authority
Targeting many closely related long tail queries creates a deep content cluster that signals expertise. For example, a brand covering “B2B content marketing” might build articles around “B2B case study framework,” “B2B content KPIs,” and “B2B buying committee content strategy.”
Search engines read this cluster as comprehensive coverage, not isolated posts, which strengthens your perceived authority on the subject.
As your long tail cluster grows and interlinks, you often see rankings improve not only for those specific queries but also for mid-tail and even head terms. HubSpot’s blog is a real-world example: years of covering detailed marketing subtopics helped it rank for highly competitive generic phrases later.
Using Keywordly to systematically ideate, brief, and interlink these long tail pieces ensures every article reinforces your topical authority and supports long-term growth across search and AI-driven platforms.
Related Articles:
Reference: → best-ai-keyword-research-tools
Reference: → create-content-strategy-plan
Reference: Long-Tail Keywords: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
3. Build a Strong Foundation Before Doing Long Tail Keyword Research
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “best B2B SEO reporting tools for agencies” rather than just “SEO tools.” They usually have lower search volume but much higher intent and conversion rates. Before you chase them, you need clarity on who you’re targeting, what they need, and how your product solves real problems.
With that foundation, every long tail keyword you uncover becomes a strategic asset rather than a random phrase. This is exactly how guides like Long Tail Keywords: How to Find & Use Them Effectively recommend approaching keyword discovery: context first, tools second.
Clarify Audience Personas and Pain Points
Effective long tail SEO starts with sharp personas. Define 2–3 core profiles that reflect your real buyers: role, industry, seniority, and context. For Keywordly, that might include a “Head of Content at a SaaS company,” a “Freelance SEO strategist,” and a “Digital agency account manager” handling multiple clients.
Each persona should have a short narrative: what a typical day looks like, what KPIs they own, and what blocks them from hitting those KPIs. This story-level detail makes it much easier to predict realistic search phrases they would type into Google or ask in ChatGPT.
List recurring pain points, questions, and goals for each persona. Pull this from real customer feedback, sales calls, and support tickets instead of guessing. For example, if agency users repeatedly say, “We waste hours jumping between Ahrefs, Google Docs, and WordPress,” that becomes a seed for queries like “how to streamline SEO content workflow.”
Store this language in a shared doc or inside Keywordly so content, SEO, and sales teams use the same phrasing. Those exact words often show up in long tail searches, which you can then validate with tools highlighted in how to find long tail keywords, such as Google’s “Searches related to…” and forums.
Map Customer Journey to Search Intent
Long tail keywords change as prospects move through the funnel. At the awareness stage, people use educational queries like “what is an SEO content workflow” or “why long tail keywords convert better.” At consideration and decision, they shift to comparative and transactional phrases.
Outline your journey stages—awareness, consideration, decision, post-purchase—and write 5–10 example searches per stage for each persona. This gives you a structured map before you open any keyword tool.
For instance, a Head of Content at the awareness stage might search “how to plan SEO content calendar for SaaS,” while at the decision stage they might use “Keywordly vs Semrush content workflow” or “best SEO content automation platform.” Post-purchase, they might search “how to get more value from Keywordly reports.”
Use this map to guide your long tail research with tools mentioned in Long Tail Keywords: How to Find & Use Them Effectively—Google’s related searches, Semrush Keyword Magic, AnswerThePublic, and niche forums—to fill in dozens of real phrases per stage.
Turn Product Features Into Searchable Use Cases
Features rarely match how people search. Prospects Google their problems and desired outcomes, not your feature names. Start by listing your main features, then translate each one into a tangible problem solved and a clear result.
For Keywordly, “AI-assisted brief generation” becomes “how to create SEO content briefs faster” or “how to scale content briefs for 50 blog posts a month.” Those are long tail phrases that sound like real questions a content manager would ask.
Rephrase every key feature as a real-world use case: “automated internal linking suggestions” turns into “how to fix orphan pages without manual audits.” Then, treat these use cases as seed phrases in tools like Google’s autocomplete or Semrush to uncover deeper variations, as suggested in guides to finding long tail keywords.
These use-case-driven seeds help you find queries with clear intent—often lower competition but strong conversion potential—such as “tool to generate SEO briefs and publish to WordPress in one click.”
Set Measurable Goals for Long Tail SEO
Long tail SEO works best when it’s tied to clear business outcomes. Decide what success looks like: more qualified organic demos, lower CAC, or higher-assisted revenue from organic. Then map those outcomes to specific metrics for long tail pages.
You might set a quarterly goal like “Grow organic traffic from long tail pages by 40% and generate 60 demo requests from them.” Break that down into targets for impressions, clicks, rankings, and conversions.
Plan how you’ll track these goals in tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and Keywordly’s performance dashboards. Tag pages built around long tail themes so you can isolate their impact on leads and revenue.
For example, after publishing 20 long tail posts targeting queries discovered via the methods in Long Tail Keywords: How to Find & Use Them Effectively, a B2B SaaS company could track that those posts bring in 25% of organic sign-ups within six months. That feedback loop then informs which long tail clusters you double down on.
Reference: Long-Tail Keywords: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
4. Use Practical Tools to Find Long Tail Keywords at Scale
4. Use Practical Tools to Find Long Tail Keywords at Scale
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “best budget hiking boots for wide feet” instead of just “hiking boots.”
They usually have lower search volume but higher intent and lower competition, making them ideal for content marketers who want qualified traffic and better conversion rates.
To use them effectively, target long tail phrases in page titles, H2s/H3s, and body copy, then align content with the exact problem or question behind the query.
For instance, REI ranks for queries like “how to choose hiking boots for flat feet” by publishing focused guides that answer that specific need.
Mine Google for Real Query Phrases
Google’s own interface is one of the fastest ways to uncover real long tail searches based on live user behavior.
Start with a seed keyword like “email marketing” and slowly type “email marketing for…” into Google to trigger Autocomplete suggestions such as “email marketing for nonprofits” or “email marketing for real estate agents.”
These phrases reveal niche segments you can target with tailored guides, templates, or case studies.
Then review the “People Also Ask” box to collect question-based long tails like “How often should a nonprofit send email newsletters?”
Scroll to “Related searches” at the bottom of the SERP to capture more variants and build clusters around each micro-topic.
Use SEO Suites Like Ahrefs and Semrush
SEO platforms like Ahrefs and Semrush help you scale long tail research beyond what you can see directly in Google.
Enter a seed topic such as “B2B SEO” into their keyword explorers, then filter for low difficulty and lower volume (e.g., 50–500 monthly searches) to surface long tail phrases like “b2b seo strategy for saas startups.”
Export these lists and segment by intent—informational (“how to build a b2b seo funnel”), commercial (“b2b seo agency pricing”), and transactional (“b2b seo audit service”).
Use each segment to plan content types: guides for informational, comparison pages for commercial, and service or demo pages for transactional intent.
Tap Question-Based and Community Sources
Communities reveal the exact language people use when they are stuck, researching, or ready to buy.
Search Reddit, Quora, and niche forums for threads like “Struggling with Shopify SEO blog strategy” to find recurring questions and complaints.
Review product reviews and support tickets for phrases your audience repeats, such as “content brief template for freelancers” or “how to update old blog posts for SEO.”
Turn these into long tail targets, then create content that mirrors user language in headings, FAQs, and internal anchor text.
Leverage Keywordly for Automated Long Tail Discovery
Manual research is powerful but time-consuming, especially at scale.
Keywordly speeds this up by letting you input seed topics, product features, or competitor URLs to automatically surface long tail variations and questions.
For example, a SaaS brand focused on “social media scheduling” can use Keywordly to uncover phrases like “best time to post on LinkedIn for b2b leads” or “social media content calendar for real estate agents.”
Keywordly then clusters these terms into logical groups—such as industries, use cases, and funnel stages—so you can turn them into content plans, briefs, and optimized outlines without juggling multiple tools.
Related Articles:
Reference: → best-ai-keyword-research-tools
Reference: → reddit-keyword-research-tools
Reference: Top 15 Tools For Finding Long-Tail Keywords
5. Analyze Long Tail Keywords for Intent, Volume, and Business Value
5. Analyze Long Tail Keywords for Intent, Volume, and Business Value
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “B2B SaaS content brief template” instead of just “content marketing.” They usually have lower search volume but much higher intent and conversion rates, making them ideal targets for SEO-driven revenue.
With Keywordly, you can systematically uncover these phrases, map them to user intent, and build content that aligns with both search behavior and business goals. The key is to analyze each long tail keyword for intent, volume, difficulty, and its direct path to revenue.
Understand Intent Behind Long Tail Keywords
Before you create content, clarify why a user is searching a specific phrase. Classify each long tail keyword as informational (“how,” “what”), commercial (“best,” “compare”), transactional (“buy,” “pricing”), or local (“near me,” city names). This prevents you from writing a blog when the user actually wants a product page.
For example, “best SEO content workflow tools” is commercial, while “how to create an SEO content workflow” is informational. Keywordly can help you tag these intents so your content calendar reflects real user needs instead of guesswork.
Validate your assumptions by checking SERP features in Google. If you see listicles and guides, intent is informational; if product cards, pricing pages, or Google Shopping dominate, intent leans transactional. Use that insight to choose formats and CTAs—guides for education, product pages and demos for high-intent terms.
Evaluate Volume, Difficulty, and Click Potential
Long tail keywords rarely show huge volume, but even 30–100 searches per month can be profitable when intent is strong. Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Keywordly’s research module to benchmark search volume so you invest in terms that can realistically bring in qualified visitors.
Check keyword difficulty and SERP authority to filter out unwinnable targets. If “AI content workflow software for agencies” shows only high-DR domains like HubSpot and Salesforce, you may target a variant like “AI content workflow tool for small agencies” instead, where competition is weaker.
Scan the SERP for ads, featured snippets, and People Also Ask boxes. Highly cluttered results reduce click potential even when volume looks good. Prioritize keywords where organic results still command meaningful clicks, then optimize your titles and meta descriptions to stand out.
Prioritize by Business Fit and Revenue Potential
Not every long tail keyword deserves content, even if you can rank. Score each term on business fit: Does it clearly connect to your product or service? For Keywordly, a phrase like “AI SEO content workflow platform” is far more valuable than “how to become a freelance writer,” even if the latter has more volume.
Favor keywords that signal buying readiness or strong solution awareness. Phrases like “SEO content workflow tool for startups pricing” or “AI blog brief generator free trial” suggest users are close to evaluating vendors, scheduling demos, or starting trials.
Deprioritize keywords that bring misaligned traffic with no clear monetization path. If your analytics show visits but no signups or pipeline from certain topics, shift focus to more commercially aligned clusters that feed your sales and self-serve funnels.
Group Keywords Into Thematic Clusters
Clustering long tail keywords allows you to build authority around topics, not just isolated phrases. Group queries by shared problems, use cases, or audiences—such as “SEO content workflow for agencies,” “agency SEO content checklist,” and “agency content process templates.”
Choose one primary target keyword per cluster and treat the rest as secondary variations you’ll cover within the same page or supporting articles. This helps you avoid cannibalization and signals topical depth to search engines.
Use clusters to inform site architecture and internal linking. A pillar page on “AI-powered SEO content workflows” can link to subpages on briefs, outlines, and optimization. For instance, a “B2B SEO content workflow template” article can internally link to Keywordly’s feature pages and a “Start free trial” CTA, turning long tail traffic into pipeline.
Reference: Long-Tail Keywords: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
6. Turn Long Tail Keyword Research into a Content Strategy
6. Turn Long Tail Keyword Research into a Content Strategy
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases such as “best CRM for real estate agents in Texas” instead of just “CRM.” They usually have lower search volume but higher intent and lower competition, making them ideal for driving qualified traffic and conversions.
You can find long tail keywords with tools like Google Search Console, Google’s “People also ask,” AnswerThePublic, and platforms like Keywordly, which aggregate data and cluster terms automatically. The real value comes when you turn those terms into a structured, scalable content strategy instead of isolated blog posts.
Build Topic Clusters and Pillar Pages
Topic clusters help search engines understand depth and authority around a theme. Start by choosing a broad, business-critical topic—such as “content marketing strategy”—and build a pillar page targeting that core phrase with a 3,000–4,000 word comprehensive guide.
Then create supporting articles around long tail keywords like “content marketing strategy for SaaS startups,” “content marketing strategy examples B2B,” or “content marketing strategy template Google Sheets.” Each article dives deep into a specific angle and links back to the pillar, reinforcing relevance.
Internally link from the pillar page to every supporting article and vice versa. This interlinking structure signals topical authority to Google and tools like ChatGPT, increasing your chances of being surfaced as a trusted source. Keywordly can map these clusters for you and ensure all related queries are captured in your content plan.
Map Keywords to Content Formats and Funnel Stages
Long tail keywords align naturally with different stages of the funnel and content formats. Informational terms like “how to do keyword research for YouTube” work well as tutorials, step-by-step guides, or FAQs that build awareness and trust.
Commercial and transactional queries such as “Ahrefs vs Semrush pricing” or “best SEO content brief tool” should power comparison pages, feature breakdowns, and case studies. These formats help users evaluate options and move closer to purchase.
For example, HubSpot ranks for “marketing automation software for small business” with a comparison-style page that leads directly to a free trial. Map each keyword in your list to a funnel stage and a clear next step—demo, download, or newsletter—so traffic has a defined path to conversion.
Use Long Tail Keywords to Update Existing Content
Existing content is often your fastest win. Audit your top URLs in Google Search Console and look at the Queries report to uncover long tail terms where you already get impressions but low average position. Those phrases are perfect candidates for on-page expansion.
Add new H2/H3 sections that directly answer these queries, such as “Is SEO content writing worth it for local businesses?” or “How long does SEO content take to rank?” Use structured headings, short paragraphs, and FAQ blocks to earn featured snippets and AI-overview visibility.
Refresh outdated stats, examples, and screenshots using current data—like citing that 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, based on BrightEdge research. Keywordly can surface these opportunity phrases and generate optimized briefs so updates are fast and systematic.
Plan a Long Tail-Driven Content Calendar
A content calendar grounded in long tail research keeps your publishing consistent and strategic. Prioritize clusters where you have product fit and ranking potential—for instance, a B2B SaaS brand might focus on “SEO content workflow,” “AI content brief generator,” and “content optimization tools for agencies.”
Schedule posts by cluster instead of random one-offs: week one covers the pillar, weeks two to four cover supporting long tail topics, and week five updates an older article with new keywords. This pattern builds momentum and topical authority over time.
Within Keywordly, you can import your long tail list, auto-generate briefs, and assign due dates across your team. A concrete example: an agency targeting “local SEO for dentists” might plan a 6-post cluster over a month, then track organic leads from that vertical to measure ROI.
Related Articles:
Reference: → free-youtube-keyword-research-tool
Reference: → best-ai-keyword-research-tools
Reference: How To Turn Keyword Research into a Content Plan
7. Optimize On-Page Content with Long Tail Keywords (Without Keyword Stuffing)
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “B2B SaaS content calendar template” instead of just “content calendar.” They usually have lower search volume but much higher intent and conversion rates, which makes them ideal for SEO-driven content.
You can find long tail keywords using tools like Google Search Console, AnswerThePublic, and Keywordly’s topic discovery. Look for phrases buried in “Queries” reports, People Also Ask boxes, and auto-suggest results, then build content that answers those searches directly.
Place Long Tail Keywords in Strategic On-Page Elements
Search engines rely heavily on titles, headings, and meta tags to understand what a page is about. Your primary long tail keyword should appear in these elements, but it needs to read naturally for humans first, algorithms second.
Include the main long tail phrase in the title tag and H1, then use close variations in H2/H3s, URLs, and meta descriptions. For example, a page targeting “AI SEO content workflow for agencies” might use that exact phrase in the title, then variations like “AI workflow for SEO agencies” in subheads.
Write Copy That Mirrors Searcher Language
Content performs best when it sounds like the query that brought the reader there. Start your introduction by echoing their problem: “Struggling to manage a consistent AI-powered SEO content workflow for your agency?” so the visitor immediately feels understood.
Use subheads and bullet points that match common phrases from your research, such as “how to automate keyword research” or “AI tools for content briefs.” Make sure every section clearly answers the core question behind the long tail keyword instead of circling around it.
Support Primary Keywords with Semantic Variations
Search engines look for clusters of related terms, not just a single repeated phrase. Mix in synonyms, related questions, and variations like “AI content operations,” “SEO content automation,” and “automated content briefs” around your main long tail keyword.
Use SERP analysis and tools like Google’s People Also Ask to identify these supporting phrases. Structure each section of your article around a specific sub-intent so you naturally cover a full topic cluster rather than stuffing one keyword across the page.
Optimize Media, Links, and Schema for Long Tail Topics
On-page optimization extends beyond text. Name images with descriptive, long tail–aligned file names like “ai-seo-content-workflow-dashboard.png” and write alt text that explains the image in context, not just repeats the keyword.
Internally link from broader pages (e.g., “SEO content strategy”) to specific long tail pages (e.g., “AI SEO content workflow for agencies”) to strengthen relevance. Add FAQ schema around real questions you find in Keywordly or Google, such as “How do agencies automate SEO content creation?” to capture rich results and voice searches.
Reference: How to Avoid Keyword Stuffing for Better SEO [9 Actionable …
8. Use Long Tail Keywords Effectively for Local and AI-Driven Search
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like “affordable SEO content agency for startups in Austin” instead of just “SEO agency.” They typically have lower search volume but much higher intent and conversion rates, especially for local businesses.
For brands using Keywordly to scale content, long tail terms help you capture buyers at the decision stage and surface more often in both Google and AI answers. They also reduce competition compared with broad, generic keywords.
What Are Local Long Tail Keywords?
Local long tail keywords combine a specific service, location, and intent. A phrase like “emergency plumber near me open now in Brooklyn” signals urgency, geography, and clear intent to call someone immediately, not just research options.
These phrases often drive phone calls, direction requests, or bookings. For example, “same day AC repair in Scottsdale” attracts homeowners who are ready to schedule service, not casual readers. That kind of intent is exactly what local service brands want.
Optimizing for local long tail queries can also improve your visibility in Google’s map pack. When your Google Business Profile and local pages align with these phrases, Google is more confident showing your listing for searches with strong local intent.
Craft Location-Specific Long Tail Phrases
The most effective local phrases layer your core service with neighborhoods, districts, or landmarks. A Chicago law firm might target “DUI lawyer near Wrigley Field” or “loop Chicago business contract attorney” to tap into location-specific searches.
Intent modifiers sharpen those phrases even more. Terms like “near me,” “open now,” “same day,” “24 hour,” and “best rated” reflect how people actually search. “Best rated pediatric dentist in Raleigh open Saturday” is more likely to convert than “Raleigh dentist.”
Use a spreadsheet or a tool like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, or Ahrefs to build geo-modified lists. With Keywordly, you can turn these lists into clusters for local pages, FAQs, and citations, ensuring consistent coverage across your site and profiles.
Optimize Google Business Profile and Local Pages
Google Business Profile is often the first touchpoint for local customers. Weave long tail service + location phrases naturally into your business description and weekly posts, such as “We offer 24/7 water damage restoration in Miami Beach and Brickell.”
Choose categories and attributes that reflect your long tail focus. A clinic targeting “urgent care near me open late in Denver” should select “urgent care center,” add extended hours, and highlight walk-in availability to reinforce that intent.
Create localized landing pages for specific neighborhoods and services. For instance, a roofing company might build “hail damage roof repair in Plano” and “roof leak repair in Frisco” pages, each with tailored FAQs reflecting what local searchers actually ask.
Align Content with Conversational AI Queries
Voice assistants and AI tools like ChatGPT favor content that mirrors natural questions. Formatting content in Q&A style, such as “Where can I find a same day mobile mechanic in Tampa?” followed by a concise answer, makes it easier for AI systems to surface your brand.
Include long tail phrases in headings and short answer blocks. When Keywordly users generate briefs around queries like “best vegan catering in San Diego for 50 guests,” they can structure clear, scannable answers that AI models can summarize accurately.
One practical example: a Denver-based HVAC company optimized for “24 hour furnace repair in Denver near Capitol Hill.” By adding this phrase into their local page H2, FAQs, and Google Business posts, they saw a noticeable increase in map-pack calls during winter evenings.
Reference: Long-Tail Keywords: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
9. Example: Applying Long Tail Keyword Research Step-by-Step
Choose a Sample Niche: Email Marketing for Real Estate Agents
Long tail keywords are longer, highly specific search phrases like “email drip campaign for new home buyers” instead of just “email marketing.” They usually have lower search volume but much higher intent and lower competition, which makes them ideal for SEO content that actually converts.
In this example, the niche is real estate agents who want better results from email marketing. Think of a Keller Williams or RE/MAX agent struggling with low open rates, inconsistent follow-ups, and no clear content plan for buyers vs. sellers.
Your goal is to build a focused content cluster that answers these exact problems. By targeting long tail phrases around templates, cadence, and follow-up, your content becomes the go-to resource for agents searching very specific email marketing solutions.
Find and Group 5–10 Long Tail Keywords
To find long tail keywords, start with tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Keywordly’s keyword discovery. Look for phrases that mention both email marketing and real estate, with clear intent such as “how often should realtors email leads” or “best real estate newsletter topics for buyers.”
You might uncover phrases like “real estate drip campaign for new buyers,” “open house follow up email sequence,” and “real estate email templates for expired listings.” These show what agents actually want to execute, not just learn in theory.
Group them into mini-clusters: templates, cadence, automation, and follow-up. For example, one article can target “real estate drip campaign for new leads” as the primary keyword, with supporting terms like “buyer lead drip sequence” and “automated realtor follow up emails” woven naturally into the content.
Draft a Sample Article Outline from One Keyword
Take the keyword “real estate drip campaign for new leads” and make it the core of a how-to article. The H1 might be “How to Build a High-Converting Real Estate Drip Campaign for New Leads,” with the phrase repeated naturally in the introduction and one H2.
Your outline could include: an introduction to drip campaigns, why they matter for real estate, step-by-step setup in tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot, example 7-email sequences, and optimization tips. Each section should answer a real question an agent might type into Google or ask ChatGPT.
Place supporting variations like “buyer drip email sequence,” “realtor follow up campaign,” and “automated nurture for real estate leads” in subheadings and body copy. Avoid keyword stuffing; write for clarity first, then refine phrases to align with how agents actually search.
Show How Keywordly Streamlines the Workflow
Doing all this manually is time-consuming, especially when building dozens of long tail articles. Keywordly streamlines the workflow by automatically discovering and clustering related real estate email marketing keywords into clear topic groups you can turn into content calendars.
You can generate SEO briefs that suggest headings, key questions (like “How many emails should be in a real estate drip campaign?”), internal links, and on-page optimization tips. This helps content teams keep articles consistent while still aligning with search and AI platform intent.
Once your long tail articles are live, Keywordly tracks performance—impressions, clicks, and assisted conversions—so you can see which drip campaign topics resonate. If an article on “open house follow up email sequence” performs well, you can expand the cluster with related pieces, such as “open house thank you email examples” or “subject lines for open house follow up,” compounding your organic growth over time.
Reference: Long-Tail Keywords: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
Conclusion: Turn Long Tail Keywords into a Repeatable Growth Engine
Key Takeaways About Long Tail Keywords
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases such as “best CRM for real estate agents in Texas” rather than just “CRM.” They usually have lower monthly search volume but much clearer intent, which makes them powerful for attracting visitors who are closer to taking action or buying.
These terms are especially valuable for smaller or newer sites competing against brands like HubSpot or Shopify. By targeting specific, lower-competition queries, you can build topical authority in narrow segments and steadily win rankings that would be impossible with broad, head terms alone.
They are becoming even more important as users type questions into Google the way they talk and as AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini surface conversational queries. Targeting phrases such as “how to start a backyard beekeeping business in Florida” helps your content align with the kind of detailed questions AI systems and voice assistants increasingly prioritize.
The Long Tail Process to Follow
A repeatable long tail workflow keeps your growth systematic instead of random. At a high level, think in terms of research → evaluate → plan → optimize → iterate. Start by using tools like Google Search Console, Google Keyword Planner, and Keywordly to uncover real queries your audience already uses, then shortlist terms with strong intent and realistic difficulty.
Connect each long tail keyword to a clear business goal: lead, trial, purchase, or email signup. For instance, a B2B SaaS might map “SOC 2 compliance checklist for startups” directly to a downloadable guide that feeds sales-qualified leads into Salesforce. This keeps you from chasing traffic that never has a chance to become revenue.
Finally, review performance regularly. Use analytics and rank tracking to see which long tail pages are driving conversions, then refine titles, internal links, and calls-to-action. When you notice new query patterns in Search Console, feed them back into Keywordly, create supporting content, and reinforce your clusters around what’s already working.
Next Steps to Implement What You Learned
Start with a quick audit of your existing content. Identify pages that only target broad terms like “email marketing” and look for long tail angles such as “email marketing sequences for abandoned carts in Shopify” you haven’t covered. Note which posts bring traffic but few conversions, signaling a mismatch between keyword and offer.
Then build your first content cluster around a high-value theme. For example, a Denver-based HVAC company could create a cluster around “air conditioner repair Denver,” including supporting posts like “emergency AC repair in Denver after hours” and “average AC repair cost in Denver.” This structure helps both Google and AI assistants understand your local authority.
To scale this process, use a platform like Keywordly to automate research, clustering, briefs, and optimization. For instance, you can pull a list of long tail questions from Search Console, group them into themes, and generate outlines and internal link plans in one workflow. Over time, this turns long tail keywords from one-off wins into a consistent, compounding growth engine.
FAQs About Long Tail Keyword Research and Usage
How Many Long Tail Keywords Should I Target on a Single Page?
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases such as “best CRM for small law firms” instead of just “CRM.” They usually have lower search volume but much higher intent and conversion rates, which makes them ideal for focused, high-value pages.
On a single page, focus on one primary long tail keyword and 3–8 close variations. For example, a page targeting “how to start a food truck business in Texas” might also use “Texas food truck requirements” and “Texas food truck permits checklist.” Keep all variants aligned to the same intent and write naturally instead of forcing exact matches.
Why Are My Long Tail Keywords Not Ranking Despite Low Competition?
Even with low-competition phrases, rankings depend on on-page quality and intent match. Make sure your content fully answers the query, uses the keyword in the title, H1, and early in the body, and offers depth. A 400-word surface-level answer will rarely outrank a detailed 1,500-word guide from a site like HubSpot.
If you still struggle, check technical SEO: Core Web Vitals, mobile usability, and indexing in Google Search Console. Domain authority and backlinks matter too. A niche blog about email outreach, for instance, may need a few targeted links from respected sites like Ahrefs or Backlinko before its long tail pages gain traction.
How Often Should I Update Long Tail Content?
Long tail pages perform best when they stay current with searcher needs and SERP changes. Review your important guides every 6–12 months to refresh stats, screenshots, and tool references. If rankings dip or competitors like Neil Patel or Semrush publish stronger pieces, update sooner.
Use Google Search Console and Keywordly’s performance tracking to spot new queries users type, then add sections or FAQs. For example, if your “how to use ChatGPT for content briefs” article begins receiving impressions for “ChatGPT content outline prompts,” add a dedicated section and examples to capture that traffic.
When Should I Shift from Long Tail to More Competitive Head Terms?
Start with long tail clusters to build topical authority, then expand into broader head terms later. Once several related long tail pages consistently bring in traffic and links, you have the foundation to target phrases like “content planning” instead of only “content planning template for SaaS startups.”
Create pillar pages around broad topics and use internal links from successful long tail articles to them. A SaaS brand might first win terms like “B2B SaaS content calendar template” and “SaaS blog post ideas,” then build a pillar page for “SaaS content marketing” supported by those assets.
How Should I Use Long Tail Keywords on Blogs, Product Pages, and Landing Pages?
Different page types map to different stages of the funnel and intent. Blogs and guides should focus on informational queries such as “how to conduct keyword clustering for SEO” or “content brief template for agencies.” These pages nurture awareness and build trust long before someone is ready to purchase.
Product and feature pages work better for commercial terms like “SEO content workflow software for agencies” or “AI content brief generator.” Landing pages for paid campaigns can lean into highly specific, high-intent long tails like “SEO content workflow platform for Shopify stores,” tightly aligned to the ad messaging.
How Does a Tool Like Keywordly Improve Long Tail Research?
Finding long tail ideas manually from Google Autosuggest, People Also Ask, and forums is slow. Keywordly automates this by pulling long tail variations, questions, and follow-up intents from multiple data sources, then clustering them into tight topic groups around shared intent.
From there, Keywordly generates structured content briefs that specify primary and secondary long tail keywords, headings, and example questions to answer. A content team at a DTC brand could plan a cluster on “natural deodorant for sensitive skin” in a few minutes, then publish optimized content and track which phrases convert best, continuously refining their strategy.
What Are Long Tail Keywords, How Do I Find Them, and How Do I Use Them Effectively?
Long tail keywords are 4–6 word phrases like “best project management tool for remote teams.” They often convert better because they reflect specific problems or contexts. Instead of chasing just “project management software,” you target niche needs that indicate real buying intent.
To find them, combine tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Keywordly with SERP observations. Look at People Also Ask boxes, Reddit threads, and competitor blogs for recurring language. Then group those phrases into content clusters and map each cluster to a single, well-structured page.
Use the primary long tail in your title, H1, meta description, and early in the introduction. Sprinkle close variations in H2s and naturally in the copy. For example, Asana ranks for terms like “project management software for marketing teams” by building tailored landing pages that speak directly to that segment, using their language, pain points, and use cases.