What is long-tail SEO?

Long-tail SEO: definition

Long-tail SEO is a technique that means ranking in search engines on many very specific queries of 3 words or more. Those queries are easier to rank for because competition is lower, and they convert better. It is the strategy of selling a wide range of products in small quantities, which is why it is called the long tail.

The phrase long tail was coined in 2004 by Wired editor-in-chief Chris Anderson. Applied to organic search, long-tail SEO means ranking on low-competition keywords that each attract fewer visitors than the top keywords. Multiplied across many queries, that traffic can become most of a site’s visits and can even overtake an industry’s head terms in visits and revenue, because those searches convert better.

Long-tail SEO also saves time in an SEO strategy. The goal is to focus on keywords with low competition, which take less time and work to reach the first positions on Google. It is easier to rank high for “twingo 3 essence 5 portes lyon” (39,000 results) than for the generic keyword “twingo 3” (3,700,000 results). The longer the phrase, the higher the conversion rate of the landing page. In that example, “twingo 3 essence 5 portes lyon” is more likely to convert.

As an organic search agency, Semji can help you find long-tail keywords.