Ranking For Long Tail Keywords: 15 Must Follow Steps(in 2022)

Hello people! Pablo Espinal here,

In this blog post, we will discuss 15 steps you need to follow to rank for long-tail keywords in 2022.

These steps are based on current trends and best practices, so follow them if you want to stay ahead of the competition.

Here we go…

3 Critical Facts You Must Keep In Mind

Fact 1 – Domain Authority

All strategies discussed in this post will be significantly influenced by one factor, Domain Authority.

Domain Authority is a ranking system developed by Moz which determines your website’s ranking potential.

If you have a high Domain Authority, your ranking prospects for long-tail keywords will be significantly higher than those of other websites with lower scores.

Check out our blog post on the subject to improve your domain authority.

What does this mean for your website?

If your website is below DA(Domain Authority) 20, it will be a tough road ahead in terms of time and effort before you rank.

Fact 2 – Keyword Difficulty

The keyword difficulty level will determine how fast you can rank for a keyword.

Keyword difficulty is a ranking metric that assesses a keyword’s ranking prospects based on its search volume and SEO competition.

If the keyword difficulty for a long-tail keyword is excellent, it means that ranking for it will require more time and effort than if the problem was low.

Fact 3 – User Intent

User intent is one of the most significant ranking factors for long-tail keywords.

Google’s ranking algorithm is designed to deliver the most relevant results that match a user’s query.

Therefore, understanding what users are looking for when typing in your ranking long-tail keyword can make all the difference in ranking position.

No matter what algorithm updates Google goes through, the one truth that will always stay in that user intent is what makes Google well, Google.

Things To Remember For User Intent

1. Understand the user’s intent behind their search query

An example of this would understand the need behind a search query such as “how to create an eCommerce website, “ which would likely be answered with steps to set up an online store.

2. Tailor your ranking page content to match that intent

An example of this would be focusing ranking page content on providing detailed instructions to set up an online store.

3. Monitor ranking results regularly to see if you are ranking for the right keywords

This means ranking for the long-tail keywords that closely match the user’s query.

This is where the meat is in content creation as user intent changes from search to search.

This means there is a multitude of ways to provide great content!

1. Identify Long-Tail Keywords Relevant To Your Business

An example of a long tail keyword is “how to rank for long tail keywords in 2021.”

Long tail keywords are usually 3 or more words long.

Before you can rank for long-tail keywords, you must first identify them.

Here is how to identify long-tail keywords for your business:

1-Make a list of all topics/areas you cover with your business

2-Make a list about the above list or subtopics

3-Make an additional subtopic list of the subtopic list above

Here is an example of the above-using accounting services as the topic/keyword:

1-Accounting services

2-Bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial planning

3-Payroll management, budgeting, cash flow analysis

Once you have the above ready, you can use keyword research tools like Semrush or Moz Keyword Explorer.

Here is how to find long-tail keywords using Semrush:

1. Enter your primary keyword in the search bar

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘View All Keywords’

3. Select ‘Long-tail Keywords’ from the dropdown menu and hit search

4. You will now see a list of all related long-tail keywords with their search volume, ranking difficulty, etc.

Here is how to do long-tail keywords using Moz:

1. Enter your primary keyword in the search bar

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Keyword Explorer

3. Select ‘Long-tail Keywords’ from the dropdown menu and hit search

4. You will now see a list of all related long-tail keywords, their ranking difficulty, etc.

Here is an example of just how much you can break down a single keyword or topic; this is straight from Wikipedia on just the keyword Chocolate:

2. Analyze The Current Ranking Landscape For Those Terms

Once you’ve identified the long-tail keywords, it’s time to analyze the ranking landscape for those terms.

A ranking landscape is a report that tells you which pages rank for a particular keyword.

By analyzing the ranking landscape, you can get an idea of what kind of content, SEO tactics, and other ranking factors you’ll need to rank higher than the current ranking pages.

To analyze ranking landscapes, use tools like SEMrush or Ahref.

Here is how to analyze ranking landscapes using Semrush:

1. Enter your long-tail keyword in the search bar

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘View All Rankings’

3. Select ‘Ranking Landscape’ from the dropdown menu and hit search

4. You will now see all ranking pages, their Domain Authority, content type, etc.

Here is how to analyze ranking landscapes using Ahrefs:

1. Enter your long-tail keyword in the search bar

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Explorer.’

3. Select ‘Ranking Keywords’ from the dropdown menu and hit search

4. You will now see all ranking pages, their Domain Authority, content type, etc.

3. Optimize Your Website Structure And Design

Your website needs to be optimized to rank well in the SERPs(search engine results pages).

To optimize your website structure and design, start with the basics, such as making sure your website is mobile-friendly, has a readable font size, and has intuitive navigation.

4. Create Content Targeting Long-Tail Keywords

This is probably the most crucial step in ranking for longtail keywords.

You need to create relevant and high-quality content that targets these terms.

Here are some ideas on how to create great content for your website:

-Blog posts(make them 1,800+ words so they rank better)

-Videos(For Youtube make them 7-15 minutes, for Instagram make them 3 seconds to 10 minutes)

-Podcasts(here is a good bundle from Amazon)

-Infographics(costs around $160.00 bucks)

-Case studies

-Tutorials and how-to guide

I put together a blog post that goes into much more detail on content creation.

You can see it here.

5. Promote Your Content Via Social Media

Once you’ve created the content, don’t forget to promote it on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.

This will help you reach a wider audience and attract organic traffic to your website.

I put up 3 to 5 blog posts weekly on my site, and every seat is shared across my social media channels.

Here is how to connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts so you only have to post in place:

1. Log into your Facebook account

2. Go to ‘Settings’ and click on ‘Business Integrations’

3. Scroll down until you see the Instagram icon, click on it and follow the directions to connect your accounts

4. You will now be able to post content simultaneously on both platforms without having to do them one by one manually.

6. Utilize Internal Linking Strategies

Internal linking is a great way to point users and search engine spiders toward your ranking pages.

Make sure you link to your ranking pages in other posts and pages on your website.

Here are some types of internal links:

-Link to ranking pages in blog posts

-Link ranking pages from the navigation menu

-Link ranking pages from sidebar widgets

Luckily almost all website creation software has the same steps for adding an internal link to a page.

These are the steps for WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace:

1. Create or edit the post

2. Highlight the word or phrase you want to link to and click on the chain icon in the toolbar

3. Enter the ranking page URL in the box that appears, then click ‘Add Link’

7. Implement Schema Markup

Schema markup is a great way to help search engines understand the context of your content and make it easier to rank.

Make sure you add relevant schema markup to ranking pages for better SEO results.

Here is an example of a relevant schema markup:

<script type=”application/ld+json”>

{

“@context”: “http://schema.org”,

“@type”: “Article”,

“headline”: “Long Tail Keyword Ranking Tactics”,

“description”: “Discover ranking tactics to help you rank for long-tail keywords in 2022.”,

“image”: “ ranking-tactics.jpg”

}

</script>

8. Improve Page Loading Speed

Page loading speed is a ranking factor for long-tail keywords, so make sure your page loads quickly.

Again, you can use tools like GTmetrix or WebPageTest to check their performance and make changes accordingly.

9. Develop Backlinks From Authority Sites

Backlinks are an important ranking factor for long-tail keywords, so ensure you develop quality links from authoritative sources.

Here are some online tools you can use to find out what authority sites in your niche have a lot of backlinks:

–SEMrush

–Majestic SEO

–Ahrefs

Here are some ways you can obtain backlinks from high-authority sites:

1. Guest blogging(a favorite of mine, it is how I get most of my backlinks)

2. Broken link building(this is defined as finding broken links on high-authority sites and offering them your content as a replacement)

3. Writing testimonials for other websites

4. Interviewing experts in your niche to acquire backlinks

5. Infographics submission

6. Resource page link building(this is defined as finding resource pages on other sites and offering your ranking page as a resource)

10. Monitor Your Ranking Progress

Once you’ve implemented all the above steps, it’s time to monitor your ranking progress.

You can use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs Rank Tracker to track your ranking positions for long-tail keywords.

11. Respond To Any Negative Feedback Quickly

If you get negative reviews about your business online, ensure you respond quickly and apologetically.

This will help improve your online reputation and build trust with potential customers.

12. Keep An Eye On Competitor Strategies

It’s also important to keep an eye on what your competitors are doing when ranking for long-tail keywords.

Analyze their SEO strategies and, if needed, adjust yours accordingly.

Here is how to run a competitor analysis using Semrush:

1. Log into your Semrush account

2. Enter the domain of your competitors

3. Go to the “Organic Research” section and click on “Positions.”

4. Click on “Competitors” in the top right-hand corner of the page

5. Scroll down to see which ranking keywords they are using and check their ranking positions for them

13. Make Sure Your Content Is Up To Date

It’s essential to keep the ranking pages on your website up-to-date with fresh and relevant content.

This will help you stay ahead of the competition and rank better for long-tail keywords in the long run.

The above is as simple as consistency. Whatever content you add to your site, make sure you add it several times a week(I add content to this site 6 times a week)

It doesn’t have to be every day. I do it on the weekends with 1-3 blog posts per weekend.

14. Utilize Voice Search Optimization

Voice search is becoming increasingly popular, so optimize your ranking pages for voice queries.

This can include using natural language, adding videos and optimizing for featured snippets, etc.

A featured snippet summarizes an answer to a query that appears at the top of Google’s search results page.

It is featured prominently and can help you rank higher for long-tail keywords.

One of my favorite ways to have featured snippets is through my “Frequently asked questions” section on every blog post.

15. Monitor Ranking Results Regularly

Finally, it’s essential to monitor ranking results regularly so that you can adjust SEO strategies accordingly if needed.

By regular, I mean once a week.

This is often enough to allow keyword rankings to fluctuate, but not so repeatedly that you neglect your content.

This will help you stay on top of the order for long-tail keywords.

9 Frequently Asked Questions About Ranking For Long Tail Keywords

What Are Long Tail Keywords?

Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search queries with less competition and higher conversion rates than their shorter, more general counterparts.

They are typically made up of three or more words and are often referred to as “long-tail keywords” or “longer keyword phrases.”

How Can I Rank For Long Tail Keywords?

The best way to rank for long-tail keywords is to create high-quality content targeted toward those terms.

Additionally, you should optimize your website structure & design, promote your content via social media channels, utilize internal linking strategies, implement schema markup & improve page loading speed.

You should also develop backlinks from authority sites, monitor ranking progress, and quickly respond to any negative feedback given.

Why Are Long Tail Keywords Important?

Long-tail keywords are important because they tend to have higher conversion rates than short-tail keywords.

They also bring in more focused & qualified traffic, as the searcher is typically looking for a specific product or service.

Additionally, it’s often easier to rank for long-tail keywords due to their lower competition levels.

How Long Does It Take To Rank For Long Tail Keywords?

The amount of time it takes to rank for long-tail keywords can vary greatly depending on the keyword and your website’s ranking position.

However, according to a study by Moz, the average ranking time for long-tail keywords is four months or less.

What Tools Can I Use To Track My Ranking For Long Tail Keywords?

You can use several tools tracks your ranking for long-tail keywords.

These include Google Search Console, Ahrefs Rank Tracker, and SEMrush’s Position Tracking Tool.

Additionally, you can use SERP tracking software such as STAT Search Analytics or Accuranker to track ranking positions for specific keywords.

Do Meta Descriptions Help Rank For Long Tail Keywords?

Yes, meta descriptions can help you rank for long-tail keywords.

Meta descriptions contain keyword phrases and are used by search engines to determine what your content is about.

They also act as a summary of your content that appears on the search engine results page (SERP) and entice users to click through to your site.

What Are Some Strategies To Optimize For Long-Tail Keywords?

Some strategies that can be used to optimize for long-tail keywords include ensuring your website structure and design are optimized, creating high-quality content targeted towards those terms, utilizing internal linking strategies, implementing schema markup & improving page loading speed, and developing backlinks from authority sites.

What Are The Benefits Of Ranking For Long-Tail Keywords?

The benefits of ranking for long-tail keywords include higher conversion rates because they are more specific, bring in qualified traffic, and often have lower competition levels.

Additionally, ranking for long-tail keywords can help you capture more organic search traffic than ranking for short-tail keywords.

How Do I Find Long Tail Keywords To Target?

You can find long-tail keywords to target by using keyword research tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush.

Alternatively, you can use Google’s Autocomplete feature by typing a phrase into the search bar and then scrolling to the bottom of the page.

You can also use a tool such as an Answer the Public to find questions related to specific topics that you can target with long-tail keywords.

Well, that’s it for this one!

If you found the above info useful, please share it on your favorite social media account!

Thanks, and till next time!

Pablo Espinal