If you don’t know what longtail keywords do, you’re already missing out on 91.8% of Google searches daily, according to the digital magazine Search Engine Land. These low-return yet focused search terms are a powerful tool for ensuring those visiting your site find content highly relevant to their needs. 

So, what do they look like, and how can you leverage them to get the best returns possible?

Below, we have written a clear, step-by-step framework for you to understand and use these keywords. Discover how to:

• Optimize these longtail keywords
• Use keyword research tools to perform longtail keyword research
• Find long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty
• Rank higher and boost conversion rates using low-search-volume terms

Finally, find out how Rose & Cactus can bring our knowledge to bear to ensure this process uplifts your daily business instead of taking time away from it.

What Are Longtail Keywords?

Like other SEO keywords, longtail keywords are text strings that users might search for when using Google and other search engines. The difference between long tail and short tail keywords, however, is that longtail keywords are:

• Specific or niche
• Multi-word phrases
• Built to respond to precise needs
• Generally low in volume
• Extremely high in relevance

According to Google, 15% of daily searches are entirely new and unique. This statistic suggests many people have precise questions that existing content may not handle. While you don’t need to capture precisely the text of these unique searches, the goal of longtail keywords is to be the closest to what the searcher is looking for due to the precision you offer.

Example: How Longtail Keywords Refine User Intent

If someone types “dog food” into Google, the search intent is usually transactional—the user wants to buy dog food, but the term is so broad and competitive that ranking for it is extremely difficult. Longtail keywords help narrow this intent and match users with exactly what they need.

For example, a search like “best dog food for elderly dogs” signals a much more specific need. You can refine this even further based on diet, brand, or dog size, such as “grain-free dog food for senior small breeds under 7kg”.

Each layer of specificity lowers competition, improves relevance, and dramatically increases your chance of ranking and converting that searcher.

Key Characteristics of Longtail Keywords

When creating longtail keywords, you will want to find terms that filter out broad searches and instead revolve around highly focused queries. As such, make sure that they consist of at least three words and use descriptors, such as:

• Quality
• Location
• Price range
• Demographic
• Size or color
• Use case

You can even target specific brands and use their name in the search term. However, be aware that you must then use this term in your content. 

The Impact of Longtail Keywords on SEO

The distinct style of longtail keywords means you can expect higher engagement and conversion rates. Users will discover content intended explicitly for search terms like theirs, helping them answer precise questions.

Because of this focus, each individual search term is likely to have a much lower search volume compared to generic terms. However, this is often offset by their much higher potential for conversion, as they bring in users who know the specific information or product they are looking for. 

Those who come to your site through a longtail keyword are much more likely to engage with you or your service and have a longer dwell time, contributing further to search rankings. Then, with fewer websites targeting the terms you are using, you reduce the competition, driving your results even higher and snowballing you toward success. 

At the same time, you are likely to see even greater results for another clear reason: Semantic searches.

When users query terms related to a service or product, they often use natural phrases. Such long tail keyword examples might include:

Questions: What is the best childrens book with fairies and swords?

Commands: Compare greggs baker with north springvale bakery

Lists: Best budget laptops for graphic design 2025

Local search: Coffee shops in New Havendale

You can then use this to predict the intent behind these longtail queries more efficiently. While these help you provide specific answers, most of these queries are very similar in style to a voice search and so are more likely to rank higher for such a search. 

Why Do Longtail Keywords Work So Well?

When putting together a list of longtail keywords, you are looking for specific areas where your business excels. Answering these queries builds you up as a reliable source for specific, in-depth information about key concepts related to your unique selling point (USP). As such, when people search for these terms and find you, provide precise and direct answers related to their query, reducing uncertainty and building trust in your expertise.

These are also core pillars of Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines. You thus offer valuable and relevant content to people, even if that group is a little smaller than other, more voluminous searches. 

Instead, with longtail keywords, you offer content that aligns much closer to the searcher’s expectations, leading to a more streamlined sales funnel as you quickly prove you have what a user needs.

How to Find Longtail Keywords

One of the easiest ways to find longtail keywords is to start with Google Autocomplete. Begin typing a broad search term into Google and watch how the search bar reveals highly specific, real-user queries. These suggestions come directly from Google’s live search behaviour, meaning each one reflects genuine user intent.
You can build on this further using the “People Also Ask” box or the related searches section at the bottom of the SERP to uncover question-based longtails that match exactly what users want to know.

For deeper research, SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz allow you to filter keywords by search volume, keyword difficulty, and intent. In Ahrefs, for example, you can enter a seed keyword, apply a KD filter (e.g., 0–10), and instantly reveal hundreds of low-competition longtail opportunities. Pairing real-user autocomplete suggestions with hard data from keyword tools gives you the most reliable longtail strategy—one grounded in both search behaviour and measurable ranking potential.

Better Longtail Keyword Research Steps

When you want to shift to longtail keyword research, go through the same process as with other keywords:

• Look at competitor data
• Investigate current market trends
• Ensure terms are relevant
• Find keywords you can build content from

However, instead, you will want to look for niches you know people want to learn more about. As such, try to find insights related to users’ questions that have not yet found an answer. You can often discover these by:

• Reading customer reviews
• Reviewing social media discussions
• Analyzing existing search queries for questions
• Using your CRM process to track common queries

Using any datasets you have, identify nuanced longtail keyword opportunities and create content that is always valuable to those who you want to investigate what you offer. Then, track these keywords and your results, iterating over time to find longtail keywords that work best for your business.

Discover More Effective Ways to Drive Organic Views

Longtail keywords are the best tool for using focused user queries to draw people to your site. So, follow the above advice to empower your business and ensure you get the best ROI from your keyword research efforts.

Are you thinking of working with an SEO professional? If so, contact Rose & Cactus. We understand how to draw in and convert your target audience, with years of experience implementing organic growth strategies like the above for clients just like yourself. So, lean on us to get the visibility you need to succeed.