The idea that gave birth to the use of long tail keywords came from an article Chris Anderson published in Wired Magazine. Anderson put forth the notion that the collective sales of niche products could outpace the sale of popular products - especially since so much competition exists on the popular front. This idea has since been applied to the Internet and methods for driving traffic to sites.



Most Internet users instinctively understand what a long tail keyword is. They are really nothing more than the natural phrases that are typed into searches to help users land on the pages they really want. The more detailed the phrase, the more likely it is for a searcher to obtain the information they really need or want.

If a person searching is looking for information on training a dog, for example, it's possible they would go beyond typing in "dog training". Their actual search might include terms such as "training a golden retriever", "housebreaking Labrador puppies", "agility training for dogs". These particular terms might not have the ranking or traffic potential that that main keywords do, but they have proven very useful for tapping into traffic in a different way. The trick here is that these phrases don't have the competition that main words might.

Long tail keywords deliver on the benefits. These can, when used correctly, drive more targeted traffic over the long haul. The benefits of using long tail keywords include a potential for a higher conversion rate (since the exact focus of the searcher's request has been met), easier ranking on search engine sites, increased traffic and, consequently, increased revenue. Basically, the benefits come from tapping into a lot of different tailored searches, rather than trying to compete with thousands of other sites that focus solely on the main single-word keywords.

Understanding how long tail keywords work is one thing. Actually making them work for a website is another. There are a few ways to go about this.

Tracking programs like HitTail can be very helpful for this. It works by analyzing specific sites and making suggestions on potential long tail keywords. While it is not always 100% effective, it is very useful. Another method involves taking what keywords visitors themselves type into the search engines. These phrases can be naturals for use as long tail keywords. A program like Ad Word Analyzer provides this type of keyword data.

A few other options for picking the right words are out there. Examining the competition and seeing what words they use can be quite helpful. It's also possible to simply continue building on a site with relevant, informative content that uses phrases and long tail keywords that come naturally.

Making long tail keywords work for a particular site will take a little time and study. One of the most commonly suggested ways to get the ball rolling includes starting out by looking at what other, similar sites have done. The next step involves picking out the right keywords and working them into the optimization process. The phrases should go into titles and copy.

Driving traffic to a website isn't always easy. Going through the backdoor by targeting niches can be one way to make this happen. Long tail keywords are the key that can unlock it all. It is extremely important to use them.