How to Target Long Tail Keywords With Blog Articles
Most businesses chase big, high-volume keywords. But that leaves a lot of great keywords ignored.
A lot of the best opportunities are not the big ones. They are the very specific searches people type into Google every day. These are the long-tail keywords.
That is where blog articles come in.
A keyword, especially long-tail, might not fit as a main service page. It could work as a great topic for a blog article. This is one of the best ways to target long-tail keywords without complicating your website structure.
What Is a Long-Tail Keyword?
A long-tail keyword is a longer and more specific keyword that users and searching for.
It is not usually something you would use as your main homepage or service page keyword. Those are more broad and more competitive.
Long-tail keywords have lower search volume. But they also have higher intent.
That means the person searching often knows what they want.
You can also break these down further:
- Some are commercial intent, where someone is closer to buying
- Some are informational, where someone is learning
Both are valuable.
Another big benefit is lower keyword difficulty. That makes them easier to rank for, especially if your site is still growing.
Each keyword on its own might not bring in a ton of traffic. But when you stack them up across many blog articles, they can bring in a lot of visitors over time.
Example:
“website design”
vs
“how to fix a slow WordPress website”
That second one is much more specific. The person searching it likely has a real problem they want solved.
Why Blog Articles Are Perfect for Long-Tail Keywords
Not every keyword deserves its own main page.
Many long-tail keywords are not big enough topics to go into your main navigation. They would feel out of place as a core service page.
That is where blogs work well.
Blogs let you answer very specific questions your audience is already asking.
Google likes helpful and direct answers. A blog gives you the space to answer the question clearly, then go deeper and show your knowledge.
They are also easier to rank than broad keywords. With lower keyword difficulty, you can start getting visibility sooner.
We do this all the time on our site.
Blogs like our replicate AI logo article or real estate website design flaws article are not huge search volume topics. Even with a lower volume, they bring in ideal traffic because the articles match the searchers intent very well.
Where to Find Long-Tail Keywords
Using SEMRush (or Similar Tools)
This is one of the easiest ways to find ideas.
Start by looking for:
- Lower competition keywords
- Lower search volume keywords
- Keywords with a lower keyword difficulty score
Even keywords with 10 to 20 searches per month can be great options.
You can also filter by questions. Many of our blogs come directly from questions we find in tools like this.
Then ask yourself one simple thing. Does this feel like a service page?
If the answer is no, it is probably a good blog topic.
Most long-tail keywords will not include things like city or state. Those are usually better for landing pages.
Google’s “People Also Ask” Section
Search for your main topic or keyword in Google. On the results page, croll until you see the “People Also Ask” section.
Every question you see there can be a blog article.
Answer the question early in your article. Then go into more detail after that. This gives both a quick answer and a deeper explanation.
If the question has some buying intent, you can also include a clear call to action in the blog.
Just Start Typing in Google
Go to Google.com and start typing your topic into Google. As you type, more options will appear int he dropdown under the search bar. Pay attention to those autocomplete suggestions.
Those are actual searches that real users are doing.
The longer the phrase gets, the more long-tail keyword it becomes.
Also scroll to the bottom of the search results page. The “searches related to” section is another great place to find ideas.
When a Keyword Should Be a Blog (Not a Page)
Not everything needs to be a main page. Some keywords are just a better fit for blog content. And that is PERFECT!
Here are a few examples.
Questions
Google values sites that answer questions. Blogs are a great way to do that.
Very specific scenarios
You can go into more detail and match the exact situation someone is searching for.
Educational topics
These build trust and showcase your knowledge and expertise. They might not lead to a sale on first read, but they help to keep your business top of mind.
Things people search before they are ready to buy
Even if someone is not ready today, you can be the one who helped them. That matters later.
A simple way to think about it:
- Service pages are your core offerings.
- Blogs support those pages and bring people in.
Using Competitor Research for Blog Ideas
You can learn a lot by looking at what is already ranking.
Run competitor websites through a tool like SEMRush.
Look at the keywords they rank for.
Then look for opportunities.
Weak content
If the page is not very helpful, you can create something better.
Outdated content
If it feels old or references things that are no longer relevant, you can write a newer and more accurate version.
Surface-level content
If their blog only scratches the surface, yours can go deeper. Answer the question clearly, and early, but then go deeper and help the reader even more.
You do not need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to improve what is already out there in a clear and helpful way.
Looking Outside Your Industry for Ideas
Some of the best ideas come from outside your direct industry.
Related industries often have overlapping audiences.
They are answering questions your audience also has.
This gives you more chances to show your knowledge and reach new people.
For example, at Full Scope Creative, we might look at:
- Printing companies for branding topics
- Videographers for content and media topics
- Business consultants for growth and operations topics
This helps you find ideas your direct competitors might not be writing about.
It also brings in visitors who may need your services, even if they started with a different type of search.
How to Write a Blog That Actually Ranks
We follow this same structure on our site and for our clients. This provides a great way to target long-tail keywords (or any keyword, really) and get the best ranking possible.
Use the keyword in the “Holy Trinity”
- H1
- First paragraph
- First H2
We keep the keyword as close to how people search as possible. Even if it reads a little off, it helps match the search intent.
Answer the question clearly
Do not bury the answer. Get to it early, then expand on it.
Write like you talk
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple, Stupid! Don’t overcomplicate things or get too fancy. Write just as if you were explaining it to someone sitting next to you.
Place the keyword naturally
It should fit into the sentence. Take a little extra time to make it feel right.
Add internal links
Link to your service pages and other blogs. This helps users and helps your SEO.
Why This Strategy Works Over Time
Each blog you write is another way someone can find your website.
It builds your authority. It shows that you know your industry and understand the questions people are asking.
It also brings in different types of visitors. Some are learning. Some are closer to buying.
Over time, these blogs stack up.
Google sees that you are consistently answering questions and providing helpful content. That builds trust.
If you want to learn how to target long tail keywords and actually see results, this is one of the most practical ways to do it.
Let’s Find Your First Long-Tail Keywords Together
You do not need to write 100 blogs immediately. Start with one good question. Then another.
After a few articles, you will have a collection of content that brings users to your site. And those users are actively looking for what your business provides.
If you would like some help finding your first few long-tail keywords, get in touch with Full Scope Creative. We’ll walk through some long-tail keywords and help you set up your plan to get started.