How to Choose Long-Tail Keywords: A Step-by-Step SEO Strategy for 2025
Why Long-Tail Keywords Are Key to SEO in 2025
SEO remains one of the most reliable ways to attract traffic and clients. At the core of this strategy is keyword targeting. But not all keywords are equal. In 2025, SEO is changing. Instead of using short and popular keywords, people now use longer phrases. These are called long-tail keywords. They are more specific and show what someone really wants.
Long-tail keywords are easier to rank for. They match what people are really looking for. They work well for small businesses and niche experts. You don’t need a big ad budget to get good results. Let’s explore how to find and use them effectively.
What Are Long-Tail Keywords?
Long-tail keywords are specific search phrases usually made up of three or more words. Unlike short-tail keywords (like “mortgage”), they focus on clear user intent. For example:
Short-tail: mortgage
Long-tail: first-time homebuyer mortgage in Denver
These keywords don’t get searched as much, but they have less competition. That makes them great for small businesses and professionals. They help you get noticed by the right people, without needing to compete with big websites.
Long-Tail vs. Short-Tail vs. Mid-Tail Keywords
The difference lies in specificity and competition. Let’s break this down:
Short-tail: 1-2 words, high volume, high competition (e.g., “SEO”)
Mid-tail: 2-3 words, moderate volume and competition (e.g., “SEO strategy”)
Long-tail: 3+ words, low volume, low competition, high intent. (e.g., “affordable SEO services for local business“)
These categories fall along what’s known as the search demand curve. Long-tail keywords are part of the “long tail” on a search graph. They don’t get searched a lot, but there are many different ones. People who use them usually know exactly what they want.
Why Long-Tail Keywords Matter in 2025
Search behavior is evolving. Today, people search using full sentences or questions. This is happening more because of AI searches and voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. Here’s why long-tail keywords deserve your attention:
They’re less competitive, meaning you can rank faster—even with a new or smaller website.
They indicate higher buyer intent. Users searching with specifics are often closer to making a decision.
These keywords work well with AI and voice search. That’s because people often ask full questions, just like they would in real life.
This makes them a good choice for service providers, consultants, or expert businesses. They help professionals with peer-reviewed experience get noticed by the right people without wasting time or money.
Types of Long-Tail Keywords
Not all long-tails are created equal. Understanding the types helps you choose keywords more strategically.
Topical vs. Supporting
Topical: The main focus of your content (e.g., “how to generate high-quality leads“). Supporting: Related subtopics (e.g., “what is content readability in SEO?”).
Search Intent Categories
Navigational: Finding a specific page (e.g., “about Discovery Engineering”)
Informational: Seeking knowledge (e.g., “what does an electrical engineering expert witness do”)
Commercial: Researching before hiring (e.g., “vehicle gps electrical engineering expert“)
Transactional: Ready to act (e.g., “hire engineering expert witness for base stations”)
How to Find Long-Tail Keywords
There’s a repeatable process that works. Let’s look at where and how to find these valuable search terms:
1. Google Autocomplete: Start typing a phrase and observe what Google suggests.
2. People Also Ask: Found in most SERPs, these show real user questions.
3. Forums and Communities: Reddit, Quora, niche boards—all are keyword gold mines.
4. Internal Site Search: If your website has a search bar, check what people are typing into it. This can show you what they’re really looking for.
5. Keyword Tools: Tools like Semrush, Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, and Ahrefs can help. They show keyword ideas, how often people search for them, and how hard they are to rank for.
Pro tip: Look at what keywords your competitors are using. This works best if they offer the same kind of service or work in your area
Filtering the Best Long-Tail Keywords
Not every long-tail keyword is worth pursuing. Use these filters to prioritize:
Search volume: Look for monthly searches, even if low (10–1,000).
Keyword difficulty (KD): Lower is better for newer or smaller sites.
Personal keyword difficulty (PKD): Tool-based estimate of how hard it is for your domain to rank.
Word count: Typically 3–10 words. Beyond that, it may be too niche.
Intent alignment: Does the keyword match what your audience is trying to do?
Chasing keywords solely for volume often leads to low engagement. Choose relevance first.
How to Use Long-Tail Keywords Effectively
Once you find great long-tails, here’s how to deploy them:
Page titles: Include the keyword naturally at the beginning.
Headings (H1, H2): Use variations to reinforce the topic.
URL: Short, readable, and includes the main keyword if possible.
Meta description: Include the keyword once, written like a call to action.
First 100 words: Place the keyword early to confirm relevance for search engines.
Group similar long-tail keywords into clusters. Then use them naturally in your content to help search engines understand better. This builds topical authority and helps search engines understand your page better.
If you offer professional services, stick to clear, fact-based language. Stick to facts to maintain credibility. This is important if your content could be used in legal situations or reviewed in court.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Zero-volume keywords: Some long-tails are so obscure they bring no traffic.
2. Keyword stuffing: Overusing the phrase weakens trust and hurts SEO.
3. Ignoring intent: Not every long-tail means someone is ready to buy.
4. Misalignment with content: A keyword must be central to the page—not just tacked on.
Always pick long-tail keywords based on what your audience is really searching for. Don’t just guess what you think they might want.
Build a Smarter SEO Strategy with Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords help your business connect with the right people. You can share the right message at the right time. They’re less risky, more targeted, and often lead to higher engagement.
Start small. Choose a few long-tail keywords, create blog posts using them, and see how it performs. Over time, you’ll learn what your audience really cares about. This will help you rank higher in search results.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at your current content and see what’s working. You can also use a tool like Semrush to find long-tail keywords that fit your business.
Get More Leads Be Our Next Podcast GuestFrequently Asked Questions About Long-Tail Keywords
How many words should a long-tail keyword be?
Most long-tail keywords contain at least three words, but there’s no fixed rule. The focus should be on specificity and intent. Phrases like “vehicle expert witness in Texas” or “how to get expert witness cases” are great examples. If a keyword clearly shows what someone is looking for, it’s probably a long-tail keyword.
Can I rank with long-tail keywords on a new website?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of long-tail keywords is lower competition. They’re easier for new or low-authority sites to rank for. It may still take time to see results. But using long-tail keywords gives your new site a better chance to show up in search results early.
Should I use multiple long-tail keywords on one page?
Absolutely. Group related long-tails into clusters that support the same core topic. Use long-tail keywords naturally in your content. Add them to your titles, subheadings, and main text without forcing them in. This improves your page’s relevance and helps it rank for variations of the query.
What’s the difference between a long-tail keyword and a keyword phrase?
All long-tail keywords are keyword phrases, but not all keyword phrases are long-tail. A keyword phrase might be any combination of words, including high-volume, broad terms. Long-tail keywords are specifically longer, lower in competition, and tied closely to user intent.
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