How can I Find Long‑Tail Keywords?

Think about how you search on Google. When you’re looking for something specific, you probably type in a longer phrase instead of just one or two words.

For example, if you’re planning a trip, you might search for “warm places to visit in December.” Or if you’re craving something sweet, you could look up “how to make strawberry shortcake.”

Guess what? You’re using long-tail keywords!

Since these keywords are more detailed, they often have less competition—which means they’re easier to rank for. Plus, because they’re so specific, they help searchers find exactly what they need.

Sounds like a win-win, right? That’s because it is.

Keep reading to learn how long-tail keywords can boost your SEO and how to find the best ones for your content!

What are Long-Tail Keywords?

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that usually have lower search volume and less competition than short, generic keywords (also called “head terms”). But don’t let that fool you—these keywords can be incredibly valuable for SEO.

Think of search keywords like a comet:

• The head is made up of a few broad, highly searched keywords like “iPad” or “jobs”. These get millions of searches but are super competitive.
• The tail is made up of longer, more detailed searches, like “best budget tablets for students” or “remote customer service jobs with flexible hours.” These get fewer searches individually but together, they make up over 91% of all Google searches!

And here’s something interesting:
🔹 In 2007, 25% of Google searches had never been seen before.
🔹 Even today, that number is still 15%!

That means people are constantly searching in new ways—so there’s huge potential in targeting long-tail keywords.

Why Are Long-Tail Keywords Important?

• They match user intent better → People searching for longer phrases usually know exactly what they want.
• They’re easier to rank for → Less competition means a better chance of showing up in search results.
• They bring higher-quality traffic → Since these searches are more specific, visitors are more likely to take action (like making a purchase or signing up).

While AI-generated results and SERP features (like Google’s AI Overviews) are becoming more common for short, general keywords, long-tail keywords still provide a strong opportunity to rank well and get traffic.

If you want to boost your SEO, focusing on relevant long-tail keywords is a smart strategy!

Why Long-Tail Keywords Matter for SEO

Long-tail keywords tell us exactly what potential customers are looking for. By analyzing these searches, we can understand:

✅ What influences their decisions – Keywords with words like “best” or “cheapest” (e.g., “best women’s hoodie”).
✅ Which features are popular – Searches that mention specifics like color or style (e.g., “red hoodie with front pocket”).
✅ What questions they have – Queries that signal research before buying (e.g., “Hoodie Warehouse return policy”).

Since long-tail keywords are more specific than broad terms like “smartphone” or “coffee brands”, they have some major advantages:

• Less competition → Easier to rank for.
• More targeted audience → Helps you reach niche markets.
• Better search intent alignment → Leads to higher conversions.
• Lower cost-per-click (CPC) for paid ads → Saves money on campaigns.
• Perfect for content creation → Helps you craft valuable blog posts or product pages.

Also Read: How do I Implement Schema Markup?

Example: Using Long-Tail Keywords to Sell Coffee ☕

Imagine you sell coffee online and use a blog to attract customers.

Targeting the keyword “coffee” alone is tough—it’s too broad and competitive. You could spend years trying to rank for it!

But if you focus on long-tail keywords like:
🔹 “Organic coffee beans”
🔹 “Best coffee for espresso”
🔹 “Organic coffee shops NYC”

You’ll reach people who are closer to making a purchase because they already know what they want.

Expanding Your Keyword Strategy

Want to cast an even wider net? Get creative with related searches!
For example, if you’re focusing on “organic coffee beans”, you could also write about:
✔ “Organic coffee benefits for skin”
✔ “Organic mushroom coffee benefits”
✔ “Best organic coffee for energy”

This way, your content not only answers specific customer questions, but also keeps them engaged with other related topics on your site.

As your content attracts more clicks and keeps visitors on your page longer, Google takes notice—boosting your rankings and increasing traffic.

5 Ways to Find Long-Tail Keywords 

Long-tail keywords are a secret weapon for marketers. If you learn how to find them, you’ll have a steady stream of new audience segments and fresh content ideas for your website, blog, and even social media—not just for SEO.

Here’s how to find them:

1️⃣ Use Google Autocomplete

What better way to get keyword ideas than from Google itself?

• Start typing a general keyword, like “coffee machines,” into Google.
• Google’s Autocomplete will show related searches based on real user behavior and trends.
• Pick the most relevant suggestions and analyze them using a tool like Semrush’s Keyword Overview to check search volume, difficulty, and intent.

For example, a long-tail keyword like “coffee machines Makro” is highly specific, has low search volume, and is easier to rank for than a broad keyword like “coffee machines.”

2️⃣ Use Semrush for Keyword Research

Semrush has several tools to help you find high-value long-tail keywords:

✅ Keyword Overview – Get search volume, intent, competition level, and trends for up to 100 keywords.
✅ Keyword Magic Tool – Enter a broad term and get thousands of related keyword ideas. Filter them by search volume, difficulty, and word count.
✅ Keyword Gap – Compare your keyword strategy to competitors and uncover missed opportunities.

For example, if you search for “how to clean a coffee machine with baking soda” in the Keyword Magic Tool, you’ll find a long-tail query that can shape your content strategy:

• If you’re a barista-turned-coffee-shop-owner, you could write a step-by-step guide based on your expertise.
• If you manufacture coffee machines, you could explain whether baking soda is safe for cleaning and how it affects the warranty.

Long-tail keywords help you connect with users at different stages of their journey, from research to post-purchase support.

3️⃣ Spy on Your Competitors

Are your competitors ranking for long-tail keywords that you’re missing? If so, they’re stealing traffic that could be yours.

Use Semrush’s Keyword Gap tool to compare your site with up to four competitors. This helps you:

• Find keywords they rank for but you don’t.
• Discover overlapping search terms to refine your strategy.
• Spot gaps in their keyword approach so you can take advantage.

4️⃣ Explore Niche Forums & Q&A Sites

People ask real questions in forums like:

💬 Quora
💬 Reddit
💬 Facebook & LinkedIn groups
💬 GitHub Community (for tech-related searches)

These platforms reveal exactly how people talk about your industry. The wording matters—your content should match how your audience naturally phrases questions.

🔎 Pro Tip: Use Google to find relevant discussions with this search trick:
👉 site:forum + “your topic” (e.g., site:reddit.com + “best budget coffee machine”).

Scan these discussions for long-tail keywords and then check their potential using Semrush’s Keyword Overview tool.

Also Read: How can Guest Posting Improve SEO?

5️⃣ Tap Into Google Search Console

Google Search Console (GSC) shows you real searches that bring traffic to your website.

• Go to the Performance report in GSC.
• Click Queries and sort results by position (descending order).
• Look at keywords ranked between positions 11-30 (page 2 or 3 on Google).

These are hidden opportunities—they’re already bringing traffic, but with some optimization, you could push them to page 1.

Analyze these keywords in Semrush to see their competitiveness and ranking potential. Then, start creating content around the best long-tail keywords!

How to Use Long-Tail Keywords in Your Content

Use long-tail keywords to improve your existing content by diving deeper into topics. For example, you can expand a page by adding relevant new sections—just make sure it feels like a natural extension of the topic or fits into the customer journey.

Another great way to use long-tail keywords for SEO is to create content around them. Take the example of “how to clean a coffee machine with baking soda?”—this could be the perfect topic for a detailed blog post or guide.

The type of content you create will depend on your approach. If you’re writing a webpage, make sure to include the keyword naturally in key places, such as:

• Page URL
• Subheadings
• First and last paragraphs
• Title tag
• Meta description
• Throughout the content

It’s also a good idea to use related secondary keywords where they make sense. These help reinforce the topic and improve your chances of ranking for similar searches.

Finally, don’t forget to include your primary keyword in the title tag and meta description. Google often uses these to understand your page’s topic, and they also show up in search results—making them key for getting clicks!

Avoid these common long-tail keyword mistakes 

Long-tail keywords can be a powerful SEO tool—when used correctly. But to get the best results, avoid these common mistakes:

Ignoring User Intent

Long-tail keywords are great for matching search intent, but don’t assume they always align perfectly. Before using one, check the search results (SERP) to see what kind of content ranks for it.

If your content doesn’t match what people expect, they’ll quickly leave your page. That means low engagement, fewer conversions, and a higher bounce rate—none of which help your SEO.

Overstuffing Keywords

Stuffing a page with the same keyword over and over won’t help—it actually hurts your rankings. In the worst case, Google might even remove your site from search results entirely.

Keyword stuffing makes content feel unnatural and lowers its quality, driving away potential customers. Instead, use keywords naturally and mix in variations to keep things readable and engaging.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to rank for “paper coffee filter.” Here’s the difference between keyword stuffing and writing naturally:

Bad (Keyword Stuffing):
“Paper coffee filters are essential for making coffee. Choosing the right paper coffee filters can improve your coffee. Many coffee lovers prefer unbleached paper coffee filters, while others use pre-folded paper coffee filters for convenience.”

Good (Natural Writing):
“Choosing the right coffee filter can make a big difference in flavor. Some coffee lovers prefer unbleached filters for a more natural taste, while others like pre-folded ones for convenience.”

See the difference? The second version flows naturally without forcing the keyword into every sentence.

Also Read: How can I Improve Website Crawlability?

Choosing Volume Over Relevance

A long-tail keyword with high search volume isn’t always the best choice. What matters most is relevance to your audience.

For example, imagine you work for a nonprofit and want to write about community outreach. While researching keywords, you find:

• “How to double text a cold outreach on LinkedIn” (high volume)
• “How to make a community outreach video” (lower volume)

The first one might be popular, but it’s meant for sales professionals—not your audience. The second one is a better fit and will drive more meaningful engagement.

Bottom line? Always choose keywords that make sense for your content and audience, not just the ones with the highest search numbers!