Why should you target long-tail keywords in an SEO content strategy?

Long-tail keywords represent more specific, targeted searches. As phrases get longer, buyer intent tends to increase. A searcher looking for a very specific phrase is closer to making a purchase decision than someone searching a broad one-word term, making long-tail traffic more qualified.

Long-tail keywords represent more specific, targeted searches. As phrases get longer, buyer intent tends to increase. A searcher looking for a very specific phrase is closer to making a purchase decision than someone searching a broad one-word term, making long-tail traffic more qualified.

From Hubspot Enterprise SEO - How to Create an SEO Strategy for 2020 with Chris Burres and Matthew Bertram #492

Long-tail and local phrases like 'Echo Shoes Portland' have less competition, so a site can rank for them much faster than broad terms. The episode uses a Babe Ruth base-hit analogy: going for lower-hanging fruit gets you on base quickly and moves you toward bigger ranking gains over time.

From Last-Minute SEO Strategies for the Holiday Season by Dave Davies #396

Long tail phrases require longer pages with more words, around 500 to 700, which create more link opportunities. More importantly, searchers using long tail phrases are likely in a buying mood, closer to converting, and have a clearer understanding of what they are looking for.

From Driving New Search Traffic from your Content - #SEOpodcast 268