Header, Mid and Long Tail Keywords

We will explore the differences and benefits of the three main separate keyword length types: header, mid and long-tail.

Enriching your content with carefully positioned keywords is a fantastic method for optimising your SEO. There are multiple varied lengths of Keywords, all with slightly different benefits and opportunities for drawing in key audiences to your website and content. Here we will explore the differences and benefits of the three main separate keyword length types.

Header keywords

A Header Keyword is a keyword (or phrase) selected to depict the main topic of a blog post or webpage. The theme selected for your blog post or webpage header is the keyword with which you would preferably like your page to be found through. For example, if the key focus of your blog or business is “family”, using header keywords such as “family values”, “family-friendly”, or “family gatherings” may be appropriate header keywords to use as they highlight the main topic with a variety of different sub-topics to capture the range of audience within this main category. Think of the header keywords as your over-arching content subject.

Your content is ideally what your target audience is looking for. Offering clear pathways for them to find you in SERPs (search engine results pages) is important. Header keywords are very competitive, but they are fantastic even from a navigational point of view on your website. Helping readers who simply wish to scan the page for key content is positive from a user experience (UX) perspective, so it is advisable not to neglect them.

Mid-tail keywords

If you think of the length of your selected keywords and phrases as a spectrum, mid-tail keywords offer the ability to define your query or widen the criteria your webpage matches through additional words that make the search or hook-point more precise compared to singular, short-tail keywords.

Medium-Tail Keywords are a series of specific keywords of roughly two or three words. They are more defined than short-tail keywords, but not as broad or potentially as niche as Long-Tail Keywords. Due to the more specific nature of mid-tail keywords, search engines tend to comprehend the search intent for these short phrases with more clarity. For example; rather than simply searching “Karaoke” and expecting Google to understand the search intent behind your query, by searching “Karaoke Bar Eastbourne” the SERPs are more likely to reflect your desire for location-specific results. Equally, this works for when Google indexes your website; if you specify the location of the karaoke bar, the search engines will be able to rank you more accurately within the SERPs.

Long-tail keywords

Long-Tail Keywords are the longer of the optimised keyword options. Applying specifically relevant long-tail keywords to each post widens the query opportunities for your content, for example, say you are writing multiple blogs about Homemade Indian Cuisine. “Homemade Indian Curry”, “Fresh Indian Naan Recipe”, or “Spicy Indian Recipes”. Each phrase is slightly different but can apply to a wider variety of search queries.

Enriched long-tail keywords can be used to target less popular keywords that allow you to rank higher in the niche but a relevant phrase and aspects of your primary topic. This can result in drawing in traffic at a slower rate but you are more likely to remain consistently high in the SERPs for your niche Long-Tail Keywords than if you were to focus on the popular keywords used by the vast online competition. If fewer people write about it, there is less competition
despite its relevance.

For example, if you were to write about “Swimming Lessons For Children”, you would likely be competing with local and regional swimming centres, private teachers, schools, parental blogs and many others. However, if you were to write about a more niche aspect of this topic, such as “Swimming Lessons for Autistic Children” or “Swimming Lessons for Blind Children”, this could attract more traffic as the competition is smaller.

Considering search intent is key when planning your Long-Tail Keywords strategy. Understanding the intent behind a search query and capturing topics of interest to your target audience is an excellent strategy for drawing in traffic. For example, if a user is seeking to purchase.

Although you may write a series of blog posts or web pages with similar content themes, it is important to choose different words and keyword phrases for each post or page. Competing with your own content by applying the same small, medium and long-tail keywords through every single piece is not beneficial in helping you to capture a variety of users’ attention.

Keyword research

Taking the time to research the keywords which will gain your website or blog maximum exposure is a beneficial step towards SEO. Ranking for the most suitable keywords and keyphrases will make all of the difference in your content being seen by your target audiences. Taking search intent into account, and exploring the interests and priorities of your current viewers and potential readers will be beneficial to clarify what your target audience is actually looking for. Once you know, you can optimise and focus your content to capture your desired viewers. Don’t be afraid to experiment and do your research.

Assessing your competition is an avenue for consideration. Understanding which keywords they have selected and their methods combining the various types and lengths of targeted keywords and phrases may give you an insight into their approach for targeting customers and readers. Another place to look into is Google Adwords keyword planner. Although this is partially designed for paid advertisements, it can be a useful tool for gaining insight into new or varied keyword options for your business. Google Trends also allows you to assess keyword options and traffic opportunities, especially given that Google Trends can present seasonal and geographical location-specific data to help filter your decision-making. Date or time-period selection, type of search topic and type of content search can also be refined.

In conclusion

Choosing the most efficient and successful keywords and keyphrases for your small business can be challenging. It is important to understand that simply compacting as many keywords into your text and content as possible is no longer the best method for SEO. Google and other search engines have developed many different algorithm updates to prevent this from succeeding as a whole. Ensuring that your content is readable, using a range of synonyms and focusing on producing the most engaging, balanced and user-friendly content possible is more of a priority.

A combination of header, long, mid and short-tail keywords can be beneficial, but knowing what works best initially is not always a simple matter. We offer a range of Search Engine Optimisation services here at FreshOnline. If you would like to gain further understanding of the best options tailored to your business, do not hesitate to get in touch. We would be delighted to assist you.

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