How to Find Long Tail Keywords Using Free Tools?
Standing out in the ever-crowded digital landscape can feel like shouting into a hurricane. Ranking high on Google search results online seems impossible, especially for new websites or those targeting competitive keywords. So remember, the secret weapon lies not in broad, generic keywords but in the power of long tail keywords. These precise search phrases with lower competition offer a targeted way to attract qualified leads and skyrocket your website traffic. But how do you unearth these long-tail gems? This comprehensive guide equips you with a powerful arsenal of free tools that make your website a search traffic magnet. So, grab your metaphorical shovel and get ready to dig into the goldmine of long-tail keywords waiting to be discovered!
1. Google Autocomplete:
Your journey begins with the ever-reliable Google search bar. Start by typing a broad seed keyword related to your niche. As you type, witness the magic of autocomplete unfold. These suggestions, meticulously curated by Google’s algorithm based on real user searches, are a goldmine for long-tail variations. They provide invaluable insight into the specific questions and search terms users employ when seeking information within your niche.
- Step 1: Identify Your Seed Keyword: Start by defining the main topic of your content. This is your seed keyword.
- Step 2: Type and Observe: Open your web browser and head to Google. Begin typing your seed keyword in the search bar. As you type, Google Autocomplete will start suggesting related searches.
- Step 3: Analyze and Note: Observe the suggestions that appear. These are real user queries, revealing how people are actively phrasing their searches for your topic. Note down any long-tail variations that seem relevant to your content.
2. "People Also Ask" and Related Searches:
Don’t stop at autocomplete! Scroll down the search results page and delve into the “People Also Ask” section. This treasure trove unveils common questions users have about your seed keyword, providing a springboard for even more long-tail inspiration. Explore these questions and identify patterns; are there recurring themes or specific areas where users are seeking clarification?
- Step 1: Perform Your Seed Keyword Search: Enter your seed keyword into Google and hit search.
- Step 2: Locate “People Also Ask”: Scroll down to the bottom of the search results page. You should see a section titled “People Also Ask.”
- Step 3: Explore User Questions: This section displays a list of questions frequently asked by users related to your seed keyword. Analyze these questions and identify long-tail keyword opportunities that directly address searcher needs. Note down any questions that resonate with your content strategy.
Additionally, explore the “Searches related to” section nestled at the bottom of the page. This section offers a list of broader and more specific terms related to your seed keyword, further expanding your long tail keyword repertoire.
3. Forums:
Venture beyond the confines of search engines and immerse yourself in online communities like Quora, Reddit, or niche-specific forums. These vibrant platforms pulsate with Human generated content, offering a treasure trove of long-tail inspiration. Look for questions users are actively asking, trending topics within your niche, and discussions that capture user pain points and aspirations. By analyzing these real-world conversations, you gain invaluable insights into the specific language and search terms users employ when seeking solutions.
- Step 1: Identify Relevant Forums: Find online forums specific to your niche. Popular platforms include Quora, Reddit, and niche-specific forums catering to your industry.
- Step 2: Browse and Search: Explore forum threads and discussions related to your topic. Utilize the forum’s search function to find discussions centered around specific aspects of your seed keyword.
- Step 3: Analyze Trending Topics: Pay attention to recurring themes and questions within forum discussions. These themes often highlight user pain points and present opportunities for long-tail keywords.
- Step 4: Brainstorm Content and Keywords: Based on the forum insights, brainstorm content ideas that address user questions and challenges. Identify long-tail keyword variations that align with your content theme.
4. YouTube Search Suggestions:
YouTube, the world’s second-largest search engine, offers a treasure trove of long-tail inspiration waiting to be unearthed. Similar to Google’s autocomplete feature, YouTube’s search bar provides valuable suggestions as you type in your seed keyword. These suggestions offer a glimpse into how users search for video content related to their niche, revealing the specific language and phrasing they employ when seeking information or entertainment.
- Step 1: Identify Your Video Topic: Define the main theme of your video content. This is your seed keyword for YouTube.
- Step 2: Search and Observe: Head to YouTube and begin typing your seed keyword in the search bar. As you type, YouTube search suggestions will pop up.
- Step 3: Analyze and Note: Pay close attention to the suggested searches. These reveal how users are phrasing video content searches related to your topic. Note down any long-tail variations that align with your video concept.
5. Analyze Your Competitors:
A. Manual Analysis (Free):
B. Free Trial Tools (Optional):
- Step 1: Explore free trials offered by tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. These tools provide limited access to features that can reveal competitor organic traffic sources, including long-tail keywords. (Remember, free trials have limitations, so use them responsibly.)
- Step 2: Analyze Competitor Traffic: Utilize the free trial features to analyze your competitor’s organic traffic sources. Look for sections that reveal keywords driving traffic to their website. Here, you might discover valuable long-tail keywords they’re targeting.
- Step 3: Ethical Reminder: Remember, the goal is to understand competitor strategies, not copy them. Use the insights to create unique and valuable content that stands out within your niche.
6. Go Local with Google My Business:
If you have a local business, Google My Business (GMB) can be a powerful tool for discovering location specific long tail keywords. Look at the “search terms” section within your GMB dashboard. This section unveils the actual search terms people are using to find your business. These are goldmines for long-tail keywords with a local twist, allowing you to target users actively searching for businesses in your area.
- Step 1: Access Your GMB Dashboard: Log in to your Google My Business account and navigate to the dashboard.
- Step 2: Find “Insights”: Locate the “Insights” section within your GMB dashboard. This section provides valuable data on how customers are finding your business online.
- Step 3: Explore “Search Terms”: Within the “Insights” section, look for the “Search terms” tab. This tab reveals the actual search terms people used to find your business on Google.
- Step 4: Analyze and Target: Analyze the search terms to identify location-specific long-tail variations. Use these insights to tailor your content with keywords that attract customers in your area.
7. Social Listening:
In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook pulsate with valuable user insights. By employing relevant hashtags or monitoring brand mentions, you can leverage social listening to uncover long tail keyword opportunities. See what questions and conversations are trending within your niche – what are people talking about, what problems are they facing? These real-time exchanges provide a wealth of inspiration for crafting long tail keywords that resonate with your target audience.
- Step 1: Identify Relevant Hashtags: Research and identify hashtags commonly used within your niche. Tools like Hashtagify.me can help you discover popular and relevant hashtags.
- Step 2: Monitor Brand Mentions: Set up alerts for your brand name and relevant keywords on social media platforms. Utilize tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to streamline this process.
- Step 3: Analyze Trending Topics: Track trending topics and conversations within your niche using the identified hashtags and brand mentions. Pay attention to user questions and discussions.
- Step 4: Identify Long-Tail Opportunities: Based on the social media insights, identify long-tail keyword variations that resonate with trending topics and user conversations.
8. AnswerThePublic (A Free Tool):
AnswerThePublic is a free online tool designed to supercharge your long-tail keyword research. This user-friendly platform acts as a linguistic kaleidoscope, shattering your seed keyword into a visual map of questions, prepositions, and comparisons related to your topic. Simply enter your seed keyword and watch AnswerThePublic generate a plethora of long-tail variations, sparking your creativity and propelling your keyword research efforts.
- Step 1: Visit answerthepublic.com.
- Step 2: Enter Your Seed Keyword: Type your main topic (seed keyword) into the search bar.
- Step 3: Visualize Keyword Ideas: AnswerThePublic will generate a visual map showcasing questions, comparisons, prepositions, and other variations related to your seed keyword. This comprehensive map provides a springboard for your long-tail keyword strategy.
9. Keyword Shuffling:
Sometimes, the simplest techniques yield the most fruitful results. Take your seed keyword and experiment with adding prepositions, conjunctions, and modifiers. This process, known as keyword shuffling, can unearth valuable long-tail variations that might not have been readily apparent at first glance.
- Step 1: Identify Your Seed Keyword: Start with your main topic keyword.
- Step 2: Brainstorm Variations: Experiment with adding prepositions (like “for,” “with,” “on”), conjunctions (like “and,” “or,” “but”), and modifiers (like “best,” “easy,” “cheap”) to your seed keyword.
- Step 3: Explore Different Combinations: Try various combinations of these elements to unlock creative long-tail variations you might not have considered before.
10. Think Like Your Audience (The Ultimate Keyword Research Tactic):
One of the most powerful methods for discovering long tail keywords isn’t a fancy tool or a complex technique, but rather the ability to step into the shoes of your target audience. Imagine yourself as a user actively seeking information or solutions within your niche. What questions would you have? What specific problems are you trying to solve? By brainstorming long-tail keywords that reflect your audience’s search intent and challenges, you’ll create a treasure trove of user-driven phrases that resonate deeply and drive targeted traffic.
- Step 1: Define Your Audience: Clearly define your ideal customer persona. Consider their demographics, interests, and pain points.
- Step 2: Brainstorm Audience Questions: Imagine the questions your target audience might ask related to your topic. What challenges do they face? What solutions do they seek?
- Step 3: Develop Long-Tail Keywords: Based on your audience’s understanding.
