What are long tail keywords and how to find them?

The more popular a keyword is, the more difficult it is to rank for it in Google search results.

That’s why it’s often much more productive for SEO to turn to long tail keywords: less popular, but also less competitive.

Here are just 7 unstoppable techniques for keyword research and discovering long-tail search phrases that will help you create optimised content from scratch or enrich your existing web pages!

Technique # 1: Use Google related searches

This is undoubtedly the most straightforward technique for discovering long tail keywords.

Start by searching on Google a generic keyword, for example, “coffee machine”:

Now scroll down to the “Related Searches” section:

You will discover a selection of similar keywords, but longer and more precise (such as “manual coffee machines” or “automatic coffee machines”) on which you can rely for your SEO.

However, it’s possible to go further:

Click on one of the suggested terms, for example, “manual coffee machines”, then look again at the associated searches.

Techniques # 2: Get Keyword Suggestions with Amazon

If you own an e-commerce site, you know how hard it can be to rank better than giants like Amazon in the search results.

Still, imagine that you can use the #1 selling site online to your advantage to boost your long tail SEO.

To do this:

Go to Amazon and write a keyword in the search bar (for example, “vacuum cleaner”).

You’ll then see suggestions for keywords related to your product.

Skip generic formulas and use these more specific phrases in your product and category listings to increase your chances of being adequately ranked (and thus gaining traffic).

What’s more, these highly targeted keywords have a healthy conversion rate: what more can you ask for an e-commerce site?

Technique # 3: Look for long-tail expressions on forums

Discussion forums are a great way to find out what words people actually use on a daily basis, which makes it easy to find interesting long-tail keywords.

However, it would be too laborious to explore all the forums of the web to find this valuable information.

Fortunately, there is a very simple way to achieve this:

Go to Google and type “inurl:forum +” followed by the keyword of your choice (e.g. “dog bed”).

This gives you access to SERPs that only contain forums.

Take a look at the best results: you’ll soon be able to identify ideal keywords for long tail SEO.

In our example, we discover very targeted phrases like “orthopedic dog bed”, “chew proof dog bed” or “dog massage bed”.

Technique # 4: Using Answer the Public to find out about the questions of Internet users

One of the most effective ways to formulate a long-tail keyword is to write it as a question.

Remember the last time you asked yourself a question?

Your first instinct was probably to ask the question directly to Google.

Moreover, you’re not the only one: do you think that questions like “why the sky is blue” have a significant search volume.

What’s more, quizzes increase your chances of getting a Google snippet and are thus propelled to the top of the search results.

There is a free tool that can guess the questions surfers ask on any topic: Answer The Public.

To use this tool, first select “EN” from the “Language” drop-down menu, then insert the SEO keyword of your choice.

You then access the results in the form of a tree:

It lists the questions most frequently asked by Internet users on the subject, by sorting them by adverb (how, why, etc.)

Scroll down the page to access other types of trees, or click on the “Data” tab to see the data in columns:

Answer The Public is, therefore, a great way to get to know the questions that surfers are asking to make them very successful long-tail keywords.

Technique # 5: Finding Keywords with Pinterest

Do you know Pinterest?

This social network of image sharing has, a priori and nothing short of a formidable tool to search for long tail keywords.

Start by typing a base phrase into the site’s search bar (for example, “leather jacket”).

First, take a look at the automatic suggestions that will give you some leads (which is reminiscent of the technique based on Amazon):

You can then admire the photos, but this is not the most interesting. Focus on the categories that appear just below the search bar:

Add these terms at the end of your primary keyword, and voila! You get a whole bunch of ideas for long line expressions.

In our example:

• Men’s leather jacket
• Black leather jacket
• Biker leather jacket
• Vintage leather jacket
• Brown leather jacket
• Etc.

Technique # 6: Using Google Trends to find related queries

Google has a handy tool that we sometimes forget: Google Trends.

Search for your primary keyword to access interesting information, including the popularity of this query (you would not want to bet on an expression that no one is looking for.)

However, the feature that really interests us is a bit lower: it’s “Related Queries”.

Another easy and effective way to find long tail keywords related to your product or main subject.

Technique # 7: find correlated keywords with Google Correlate

Google Correlate is another Google tool, somewhat obscure and unknown but very interesting to find long tail keywords.

What does it consist of?

It allows to find correlated search terms, that is to say, often used by the same people.

More clearly: by using terms correlated to your main keyword, you will be able to reach similar (if not identical) people to your primary target.

To use it, start by selecting “Australia” in the “Country” drop-down menu:

Then enter your basic keyword in the search bar. A series of expressions (with, on the left, their level of correlation with your keyword) are then displayed, giving you ideas that you would not necessarily have thought:

Thus, the query “chia seed” is strongly correlated with “coconut”, “buckwheat” or “almond butter”. What to invent new recipes to conquer the long tail.

Finally

There are, of course, other ways to find long tail expressions for SEO, starting with the use of keyword research tools.

However, these seven techniques, which are not well known, are worth trying to give a boost to your SEO.

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Marshall Thurlow

Marshall Thurlow is Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management. With over 15 years of experience spanning government, not-for-profit and the private sector, he is well equipped to lead teams to success. He is a big proponent of environmental sustainability, critical thinking and progressive issues.