Find Long Tail Keywords with Low SEO Difficulty – Complete Guide

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), finding the right keywords to target is a critical step in driving organic traffic to your website. While targeting highly competitive short-tail keywords can yield substantial traffic, it often comes with fierce competition and substantial effort. This is where long-tail keywords come into play. Long-tail keywords are specific, multi-word phrases that typically have lower search volumes but can be highly valuable in terms of SEO. They are often easier to rank for and can bring in highly targeted traffic. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of long-tail keywords and provide a comprehensive guide on how to find long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty.

The Power of Long-Tail Keywords

Before delving into the specifics of finding long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty, let’s first understand why they are essential for your SEO strategy.

1. Lower Competition: Long-tail keywords are less competitive than generic, one-word or short-tail keywords. This means that you have a better chance of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) when targeting long-tail keywords. With less competition, you can establish your presence in niche markets.
2. Higher Conversion Rates: Long-tail keywords are more specific and reflective of user intent. When a user searches for a long-tail keyword, they are often closer to making a purchase decision or seeking specific information. This makes long-tail keywords highly valuable for conversion optimization.
3. Better User Experience: Tailoring your content to long-tail keywords allows you to provide more relevant and valuable information to your audience. This enhances the user experience and keeps visitors engaged on your site.
4. Lower Bounce Rates: By offering precisely what users are looking for, you can reduce bounce rates on your website. Users who find your content through long-tail keywords are more likely to stay and explore, which positively impacts your SEO.
5. Improved Content Quality: Long-tail keywords naturally lead to more detailed, specific content. This can position you as an authority in your niche, which further boosts your SEO efforts.

Now that we’ve established the importance of long-tail keywords, let’s dive into the strategies for finding them with low SEO difficulty.

Finding Long-Tail Keywords

1. Start with Seed Keywords:

Begin your long-tail keyword research by identifying a few seed keywords related to your niche. These should be broad terms that describe the main topic of your website or business. For example, if you run a fitness blog, your seed keywords could be “weight loss,” “strength training,” or “healthy eating.”

2. Use Keyword Research Tools:

Keyword research tools are invaluable for finding long tail keywords. There are several excellent tools available, both free and paid, that can help you discover long-tail keyword ideas. Some popular options include:

• Google Keyword Planner: This tool provides keyword ideas, search volume data, and competition information. Simply enter your seed keywords, and it will generate a list of relevant long-tail keywords.
• Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that offers keyword research features. It not only provides keyword suggestions but also shows you the difficulty level for each keyword, making it easier to identify low-competition long-tail keywords.
• SEMrush: SEMrush is another all-in-one SEO tool that can assist in long-tail keyword research. It offers detailed insights into keyword difficulty, search volume, and more.
• Ubersuggest: Ubersuggest is a free tool by Neil Patel that provides keyword ideas and data on search volume, competition, and cost per click (CPC).
• Analyze Competitor Keywords:

Take a look at your competitors and see what keywords they are ranking for. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to enter a competitor’s website and see the keywords they are targeting. This can help you discover potential long-tail keywords with lower competition.

4. Utilize Google Suggest:

Google’s autosuggest feature is a goldmine for long-tail keyword ideas. Start typing your seed keyword into the Google search bar, and it will suggest related search queries. These are often long-tail keywords that users are actively searching for.

5. Mine Your Website Analytics:

If you already have a website, review your website analytics to find keywords that are already driving traffic. Look for long-tail keywords that have brought visitors to your site, and consider optimizing your content around these terms.

6. Explore Forums and Q&A Websites:

Websites like Quora, Reddit, and niche-specific forums are excellent sources for long-tail keyword inspiration. Users often ask specific questions related to your industry or niche, which can lead to great long-tail keyword ideas.

7. Consider Local Keywords:

If your business serves a specific geographic area, don’t forget to include local keywords. These could be long-tail phrases like “best pizza in New York City” or “affordable dentists in Los Angeles.” Local long-tail keywords often have lower competition and can attract highly targeted traffic.

Evaluating SEO Difficulty

Finding long-tail keywords is just the first step; the next is assessing their SEO difficulty to determine which ones are worth targeting. SEO difficulty is a measure of how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. Here’s how to evaluate the SEO difficulty of long-tail keywords:

1. Search Volume:

Consider the search volume of a long-tail keyword. While long-tail keywords generally have lower search volumes compared to short-tail keywords, they should still have a reasonable number of monthly searches to make it worth your effort.

2. Keyword Competition:

Use SEO tools to assess keyword competition. Look for keywords with low to medium competition levels. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush often provide a keyword difficulty score to help you gauge competitiveness.

3. SERP Analysis:

Examine the current search engine results page (SERP) for your chosen long-tail keyword. If the top results are dominated by authoritative websites, it might be a sign of high competition. On the other hand, if you see smaller or less established websites ranking, it could be an opportunity to compete effectively.

4. Content Gap Analysis:

Evaluate the content that currently ranks for the long-tail keyword. Determine if there are gaps or weaknesses in the existing content that you can address with your content. If you can create a more informative and valuable piece, it can be easier to outrank the competition.

5. Backlink Profile:

Investigate the backlink profiles of the top-ranking pages for your chosen long-tail keyword. If these pages have an extensive and high-quality backlink profile, it might indicate higher SEO difficulty. Conversely, if you see pages with weaker backlink profiles, it could be a more accessible keyword.

6. On-Page Optimization:

Assess the on-page optimization of top-ranking pages. If the competition lacks proper on-page SEO elements such as meta titles, meta descriptions, header tags, and well-structured content, it could be an opportunity for you to outrank them.

Creating Content Around Long-Tail Keywords

Once you’ve identified long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty, it’s time to create content around them. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Keyword Placement:

Integrate the long-tail keyword naturally into your content. Use it in the title, headers, and throughout the body of your article. However, avoid overusing the keyword, as keyword stuffing can harm your SEO efforts.

2. High-Quality Content:

Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses the user’s query or problem. Google rewards content that adds value to the user, so aim for thorough and well-researched articles.

3. User Intent:

Understand the intent behind the long-tail keyword. Is the user looking for information, making a purchase decision, or seeking a solution to a problem? Tailor your content to meet that intent.

4. Content Length:

Long-tail keywords often require more detailed content to fully address the topic. While there is no fixed word count, aim to provide comprehensive information.

5. Internal Linking:

Incorporate internal links to relevant pages on your website. This can help users navigate your site and improve SEO.

6. Optimize for Mobile:

Ensure that your content is mobile-friendly, as a significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your SEO Strategy

Finding long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty is an ongoing process. To maintain and improve your SEO rankings, it’s essential to continually monitor and adjust your strategy:

1. Regularly Review Keyword Performance:

Keep track of how well your content is performing for the targeted long-tail keywords. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor organic traffic and click-through rates.

2. Competitor Analysis:

Stay updated on what your competitors are doing. They might start targeting the same keywords, which could increase the competition.

3. Stay Informed About Algorithm Updates:

Search engine algorithms frequently change. Stay informed about updates from search engines like Google and adapt your strategy accordingly.

4. Update and Refresh Content:

Over time, some of your content may become outdated. Periodically review and update your content to keep it relevant and valuable to users.

5. Diversify Your Keyword Strategy:

Don’t rely solely on a few long-tail keywords. Continue researching and targeting new long-tail keywords to broaden your content’s reach.

6. Build Backlinks:

A strong backlink profile can significantly boost your SEO efforts. Focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks to your content.

Conclusion

Finding long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty is a crucial component of a successful SEO strategy. These keywords can drive targeted traffic to your website while requiring less effort to rank for compared to highly competitive short-tail keywords. By utilizing keyword research tools, evaluating SEO difficulty, and creating high-quality content, you can tap into the potential of long-tail keywords to improve your search engine rankings and grow your online presence. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and continuously monitoring and adapting your strategy is key to long-term success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.