How Many Words is Considered a Long Tail Keyword in SEO?

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How Many Words is Considered a Long Tail Keyword in SEO?

In the world of SEO, keywords are the foundation of any successful digital marketing strategy. Among these, long tail keywords have become increasingly important for businesses looking to attract qualified traffic and convert visitors into customers. But a common question arises: how many words is considered a long tail keyword in SEO?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the concept of long tail keywords, explain the ideal length, explore their benefits, and provide strategies for using them effectively in your SEO campaigns.

What is a Long Tail Keyword?

A long tail keyword is a keyword phrase that is typically longer and more specific than a general keyword. Unlike short, broad keywords like “shoes” or “SEO tools,” long tail keywords are more detailed, such as “best running shoes for flat feet men” or “how to optimize blog posts for SEO in 2025.”

The term “long tail” comes from Chris Anderson’s book, The Long Tail, which explained how less popular items in aggregate can account for a large portion of revenue. In SEO, this translates to traffic: individually, long tail keywords may get less traffic than head keywords, but collectively, they can drive a significant amount of highly targeted traffic.

How Many Words is a Long Tail Keyword?

So, how many words make up a long tail keyword? While there’s no universally agreed-upon number, SEO experts generally consider a keyword to be “long tail” if it has:

  • Three or more words

  • Sometimes up to five or six words or more, depending on specificity

  • A highly specific search intent

For example:

Type Example Word Count
Short Tail Shoes 1
Medium Tail Running Shoes 2
Long Tail Best running shoes for flat feet men 6

As you can see, long tail keywords are longer phrases, typically 3–6 words or more, that target a very specific search query. They are particularly useful for small businesses, niche sites, and content marketing strategies because they capture highly motivated searchers.

Why Long Tail Keywords Are Important

Long tail keywords are critical in SEO for several reasons:

1. Less Competition

Short, broad keywords often have intense competition. For example, “SEO” or “digital marketing” will have millions of competing pages. Long tail keywords, however, are more niche and have significantly lower competition, making it easier for your content to rank on search engines.

2. Higher Conversion Rates

Users searching with long tail keywords often have clear intent. For instance, someone searching for “affordable vegan meal prep services in Austin” is likely ready to buy or subscribe. This makes long tail keywords more conversion-friendly than generic keywords.

3. Better User Experience

Long tail keywords allow you to create highly relevant content that directly addresses the searcher’s question. This improves dwell time, reduces bounce rates, and signals to Google that your content is valuable — all of which boost SEO rankings.

4. Voice Search Optimization

With the rise of voice search, users are asking full-sentence questions rather than typing short keywords. Queries like “what are the best SEO strategies for small businesses in 2025?” are inherently long tail. Optimizing for these can give you a competitive edge.

Examples of Long Tail Keywords by Industry

Here are some examples of long tail keywords in various niches:

E-commerce

  • “Affordable running shoes for women with wide feet”

  • “Organic baby formula for lactose-intolerant infants”

Technology

  • “Best project management software for remote teams 2025”

  • “How to secure a WordPress website from hackers”

Health & Wellness

  • “Natural remedies for chronic back pain at home”

  • “Vegan protein powders without soy or gluten”

Travel

  • “Family-friendly resorts in Orlando with free breakfast”

  • “Best off-season hiking trails in Colorado”

As you can see, these are all highly specific queries. They are unlikely to bring massive traffic individually, but collectively, they can drive significant, targeted visitors to your website.

How to Identify Long Tail Keywords

Identifying effective long tail keywords requires research and strategy. Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. Start with Seed Keywords

Begin with a general keyword related to your niche. For example:

  • Seed keyword: “running shoes”

2. Use Keyword Research Tools

Tools like:

  • Google Keyword Planner

  • Ahrefs

  • SEMrush

  • Ubersuggest

These tools can expand your seed keyword into long tail variations, showing search volume and competition.

3. Check Search Intent

Make sure the long tail keyword matches the user’s intent. Ask:

  • Is the user looking for information, a product, or a service?

  • Does your content answer this query directly?

4. Analyze SERPs

Search the long tail keyword in Google. Look at:

  • Featured snippets

  • People Also Ask

  • Competitor content
    This helps you understand what Google considers relevant.

5. Prioritize by Opportunity

Focus on:

  • Long tail keywords with low to medium competition

  • Keywords that fit your content strategy

  • Queries that have commercial or actionable intent

Best Practices for Using Long Tail Keywords

Once you’ve identified your long tail keywords, follow these strategies:

1. Include Keywords Naturally

Avoid keyword stuffing. Use the keyword in:

  • Title tag

  • Meta description

  • Headings

  • First paragraph

  • Naturally throughout content

2. Create Detailed Content

Long tail keywords usually require in-depth explanations. Aim for content that:

  • Answers the query thoroughly

  • Includes examples, images, and step-by-step guides

3. Leverage Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) Keywords

Use related terms and synonyms to help Google understand context. For example:

  • Primary keyword: “best running shoes for flat feet men”

  • LSI keywords: “arch support shoes,” “orthopedic running footwear,” “foot pain relief sneakers”

4. Optimize for Featured Snippets

Long tail keywords are prime targets for snippets because:

  • They often answer direct questions

  • Google favors concise, relevant answers

Use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables to improve chances.

5. Track Performance

Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to:

  • Monitor ranking for long tail keywords

  • Track organic traffic

  • Identify opportunities for content improvement

Common Misconceptions About Long Tail Keywords

Myth 1: Long Tail Keywords Have No Search Volume

  • ✅ Fact: They usually have lower volume than head keywords, but they attract highly qualified traffic.

Myth 2: Long Tail Keywords Are Only for Small Sites

  • ✅ Fact: Even large brands use long tail keywords to target niche products, services, and queries.

Myth 3: More Words = Better SEO

  • ✅ Fact: It’s intent and specificity, not just length, that defines a long tail keyword.

How Many Long Tail Keywords Should You Target?

  • A single page can target 1–2 primary long tail keywords.

  • Include 5–10 supporting variations to capture related searches.

  • Across a website, a portfolio of hundreds of long tail keywords can drive substantial traffic.

Benefits of Using Long Tail Keywords in SEO Strategy

  1. Improved Rankings: Easier to rank for niche phrases than broad keywords.

  2. Higher Conversions: Attracts visitors who are ready to act.

  3. Lower Paid Ads Costs: If using PPC, bidding on long tail keywords is cheaper.

  4. Content Authority: Detailed, specific content signals expertise.

  5. Voice Search Ready: Aligns with natural language queries.

Tools to Help Find Long Tail Keywords

  • Google Keyword Planner: Shows search volume and competition.

  • Ahrefs: Provides keyword difficulty and related terms.

  • SEMrush: Great for competitor keyword analysis.

  • AnswerThePublic: Excellent for finding question-based long tail keywords.

  • Ubersuggest: Affordable, beginner-friendly option.

Conclusion

So, how many words is considered a long tail keyword in SEO? Typically, a long tail keyword has three or more words, often 3–6 or more, with a specific search intent. These keywords are critical for attracting qualified traffic, increasing conversions, and improving your SEO rankings.

Using long tail keywords effectively requires:

  • Research and intent analysis

  • Placement in content and metadata

  • Tracking performance

  • Optimizing for user experience

In 2025 and beyond, long tail keywords are not optional — they’re essential. As search engines get smarter and voice search grows, targeting long tail keywords ensures your content reaches the right audience at the right time.

Start identifying your long tail keywords today, and watch as your SEO strategy becomes more precise, effective, and profitable.

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