Looking for ways to attract specific traffic and improve your ranking in search engines? Learn how to use long-tail keywords in your SEO strategies.
The constant algorithm changes and the growing amount of content demand differentiation for your material to stand out.
Keywords have long been the foundation of successful strategies in the digital environment. However, the use of popular or overly generic terms can compromise optimization.
In contrast, long-tail keywords have the ability to direct content more precisely. Although they may seem less appealing due to lower search volume, when used effectively, they have the potential to attract a qualified audience and convert visitors into valuable leads.
Revolutionize your online presence and learn how to harness the power of long-tail keywords in your SEO strategies.
Where Does the Power of Long-Tail Keywords Come From?
Long-tail keywords increase content relevance. As an important form of SEO segmentation, they attract visitors with a higher chance of being converted into customers.
The conversion rate of long-tail keywords is almost three times higher than that of common terms. This happens because users searching for them are already further along their buying journey.
Basically, this strategy curates content to refine the search — in other words, it helps people who already know what they want find exactly what they need.
For example, instead of using the keyword “wooden chairs,” a company might use “handcrafted vintage-style wooden chairs in Campinas.” See how much more targeted that content becomes?
Another positive aspect of niche keywords is the reduction in competition. In the previous example, using a generic keyword would force a local merchant to compete with large retail chains. However, by directing the audience properly, they reach the customers they can actually serve. This strategy allows small businesses to succeed online.
In general, any business that uses long-tail keywords will boost its search engine optimization efforts — as long as it knows how to use them properly.
Using Long-Tail Keywords in SEO Strategies
The use of specific terms, especially long-tail ones, requires a well-defined keyword strategy. It involves research, planning, and continuous optimization.
Conduct Long-Tail Keyword Research
Identifying the right terms can be quite challenging at first. You can brainstorm or use specialized tools such as Google Keyword Planner.
The platform allows you to enter terms related to your business and generate a list of relevant phrases.
To select the most appropriate ones, you must understand what users are looking for when performing a search. Identifying search intent is the key to creating content that truly meets the audience’s needs, demands, or desires.
The chosen terms must align with the created content. Selecting them solely based on low competition or high search volume is not enough. Besides missing your target audience, this practice can harm your rankings.
Prefer highly specific keywords for your market niche.
Inserting Long-Tail Keywords into the Content
Your content must be planned and developed with the goal of providing value to the user while including the selected long-tail phrases naturally.
The chosen terms and the relevance of the material are equally important in addressing the user’s search intent.
As part of an SEO strategy, keywords should be incorporated naturally into titles, subtitles, and the text body — without compromising readability.
However, don’t overdo it. Overusing long-tail keywords can lead to search engine penalties.
Constant Monitoring and Optimization
Ranking strategies are constantly changing, whether due to consumer behavior or algorithm improvements.
Therefore, it’s essential to measure performance and make adjustments when strategies don’t meet their goals. Tools such as Google Analytics help track keyword rankings, traffic, and conversion rates.
Strive to innovate in both content types and strategies to boost results — but always prioritize quality and relevance for your target audience.
Additionally, chosen keywords should align with broader market strategies, especially commercial and sales objectives. When SEO is applied to enhance ranking, increase relevance, drive traffic, and boost conversions, it positively impacts all of the company’s other strategies.
Want to become a reference in your niche and the first choice of your target audience? Invest in long-tail keywords.
Our Strategies for Using Long-Tail Keywords
In general, we perform keyword research using specialized tools. This allows us to create a list of the most relevant terms, considering:
- Competitor analysis
- Search volume
- Balanced keywords (avoiding overly generic or overly specific terms)
- Natural keyword placement
- Balance between long-tail and short-tail keywords
- Market trends
With this approach, we fine-tune our strategy and monitor performance more effectively.
Tools We Use
Among the tools we most often use to build our keyword lists are:
- Semrush
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ahrefs
With these tools, we can measure not only search volume but also competition, search intent, and relevance.
Incorporation
When incorporating keywords into content, we don’t just place them randomly. Instead, we use them strategically in:
- Titles and subtitles: once in the H1, at least once in an H2 (without forcing it or inserting in every subtitle), and in H3 whenever possible.
- Body text: distributed naturally throughout the text, making sense within each paragraph and avoiding excessive repetition.
- URLs: the main keyword should always be in the URL to improve visibility in search engines.
- Meta description: including it in the meta description helps content be found in search results and shows users how relevant it is.
- Images: we optimize all images, adding long-tail or short keywords in file names and ALT attributes.
- Internal linking: when it’s not the main keyword of the topic, we use related keywords as anchor text.
Examples of How We Apply Long-Tail Keywords in Content
Let’s say we’re promoting our services with a focus on attracting clients in São Paulo. Some long-tail keywords used would be:
- “SEO services for local brands in São Paulo”
- “content marketing agency for businesses in São Paulo”
- “online marketing consultancy for São Paulo startups”
Therefore, when developing an article or page titled “Content Marketing Agency for Businesses in São Paulo: Customized Solutions,” you can incorporate these keywords into subtitles like “SEO Services for Local Businesses” and “Specialized Consulting for São Paulo Startups,” among others.
This ensures that your content remains relevant and optimized for your target audience. But don’t forget: the key to success is creating high-quality, relevant content aligned with your audience’s needs and interests.
Below is an example of content developed by our team that has helped improve a client’s Google ranking:
Image: Massa.com.br
The image shows how our writers naturally inserted a long-tail keyword into the content. This type of action helps promote the brand and improve its search ranking.
So, if you want to improve your positioning in search engines, invest in long-tail keywords in your SEO strategies.
And if you need help, talk to our consultants and strengthen your digital presence. Contact us and discover our strategies to improve your ranking and online relevance.