SEO glossary

Long-tail keyword

Glossary termBeginner

Short definition

A longer, more specific search phrase with fewer searches but clearer intent.

Beginner In plain English

Instead of "shoes", a long-tail search is "waterproof trail running shoes for women". Fewer people search it, but they know exactly what they want.

Professional How pros use it

Long-tail queries make up most searches. They are usually easier to rank for and convert well. Group related long-tail variations into one page instead of creating a page for each.

Examples

  • "gluten free birthday cake delivery austin".
  • "how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet".

More detail

A longer, more specific search phrase. Each one has lower volume but often clearer intent and less competition.

In client work, you will often need to explain this term in plain language, so practice describing it in one sentence.

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