Long Tail
Long tail keywords are longer, specific phrases that people search for when they know exactly what they want. The term comes from graphing Search Volume across hundreds of keyword variants, where a few short head terms get massive volume while many longer phrases thin out like a tail on the right side of the chart.
These longer keywords have lower search volume than broad terms but face less Competition, making them easier targets for new sites. Smart Keyword Research mixes short head terms with long tail phrases to catch different buying stages, since users searching "running shoes" browse while those searching "best trail running shoes for flat feet" are ready to buy.
Long tail strategies work great for online stores and local businesses targeting specific customer needs. This approach pairs well with Semantic Research to find related phrases and Competitor Analysis to find gaps where longer phrases can beat big sites on broad terms, showing clear Intent Analysis benefits.