Long-tail keywords are a fundamental part of most businesses’ SEO strategies – no matter their industry or their niche. They may have lower volume individually, but we know big things come in small packages, so ultimately they drive a huge share of search traffic and conversions. This is especially true when it comes to our new era of conversational queries and voice search.
To help you understand just why long-tail keywords need to have a part in your keyword strategy, take a look at our 45 compelling stats about them below…
1. Over 91% of All Search Queries Are Long-Tail Terms
That means most of what people search for are incredibly specific, detailed phrases. In other words, they’re looking for the right answer to their question – and aren’t looking to spend a long time searching for it. So if your brand is at the top of the SERP, it will likely be clicked.
2. 92% of All Keywords Get 10 or Fewer Searches Per Month
This shows that the vast majority of searchable terms are very low volume individually – and long tail. What does this really mean? Well if your industry or market is niche – and the volume is low for topics you know are trending, don’t worry. Put simply, this demand exists, but your audience is likely searching for a number of keywords regarding one topic – so make sure your content targets them all.
3. Long-Tail Keywords Have Much Lower Competition
Because fewer sites target them, they’re much easier to rank for compared with head keywords. Always check the domain authority of your competitors when looking at potential topics for your blog, so you can see how your own website compares and how likely you are to rank.
4. Long-Tail Keywords Make It Easier to Rank Highly
Their specificity means that fewer competitors are trying to rank, so strong pages often outrank generic competitors faster. When it comes to the attention you spend on your content strategy, approaching long-tail keywords is a better use of your precious time.
5. Long-Tail Keywords Often Have Higher Conversion Rates
Users typing specific phrases usually know what they want – and are closer to converting. As mentioned previously, these searches show that buyers are aware of the purchase they need to make, so they are in an immediate need to buy rather than casually browsing.
6. Long-Tail Queries Are Driven by Intent
The more descriptive a search phrase, the clearer the intent behind it – which improves the likelihood of meaningful engagement after the click. Instead of focussing on high volume keywords that are less specific and competitive, focus on keywords with less volume that are less competitive, so you have more chance of ranking for them and being visible to audiences with stronger intent.
7. Voice Search Boosts Long-Tail Queries
With the rise of voice assistants, users speak in natural, long-form phrases that generate more long-tail traffic. This means that these queries tend to include full questions and reflect immediate or situational intent. For example they might include ‘near me’ or ‘right now’ in the search.
8. Targeting Long-Tail Keywords Can Doubling Down on Relevancy
Because these terms match user intent more precisely, content built around them ranks for searches that matter. Long-tail queries reduce ambiguity, allowing search engines to clearly understand relevance and surface pages that directly address the user’s need.
9. Long-Tail Keywords Can Improve Featured Snippet Opportunities
They are the primary driver for featured snippets, appearing in over 12.3% of search queries. Because long-tail keywords are more likely to take the form of clear, specific questions, it makes it easier for search engines to extract a concise and accurate answer from your content.
10. It Takes 2-4 Months to Rank for Long-Tail Keywords
Compared with head terms (which can take over a year), long-tail organic rankings often happen faster. As they are more specific and less competitive, search engines and LLMs can more easily identify their relevance.
11. Pages Optimised for Long-Tail Keywords Rank for ~20% More Keywords
Targeting long tail can increase the number of phrases a page ranks for. This is because content built around specific intent naturally captures a wider range of closely related keywords, and search engines reward pages that cover a subject in depth.
12. Long-Tail Keywords Typically Have Difficulty Scores Under 30
In most SEO tools, long tail phrases are easier to rank for because they have lower keyword difficulty. Fewer sites actively optimise for these highly specific queries, which reduces competitive pressure in the search results.
13. Targeting Long-Tail Keywords Is ~80% Cheaper Than Head Terms
For small businesses with tight budgets, long-tail SEO is a far more cost-effective strategy. Head keywords typically require substantial investment in content production, link building, and ongoing optimisation to compete with established, high-authority sites.
14. 56% of Businesses Optimise for Local Long-Tail Keywords
Adding location modifiers helps smaller companies compete with big brands. Whilst national brands dominate broad, generic searches, they’re often less optimised for highly specific, location-based queries – so they’re ultimately less competitive.
15. Long-Tail Keywords Give You 70% of Search Traffic
A large share of overall search traffic comes from long-tail phrases rather than top head terms. Whilst individual long-tail queries generate modest volume on their own, their sheer number means they collectively account for the majority of how people search.
16. 92.42% of Keywords Typed Into Search Engines Get Ten or Fewer Searches Per Month
This again reinforces just how long-tail the search landscape really is. Search behaviour isn’t concentrated around a small set of popular terms – it’s spread across millions of highly specific, low-frequency queries. This means that what looks like ‘low demand’ at the individual keyword level is actually how most demand exists.
17. Only 0.16% of the Most Popular Keywords Drive 60.67% of Search Volume
Most real opportunities lie outside the head terms, meaning the remaining 99.84% of keywords compete for what’s left. This stark imbalance highlights just how concentrated head-term demand really is – and how misleading it can be to focus solely on those top keywords.
18. Queries With 5+ Words Are 70% More Likely to Result in Page Views
Queries with five or more words are 70% more likely to result in page views, because longer searches typically reflect a deeper, more defined information need. Users aren’t browsing casually – they’re actively seeking answers or next steps.
19. Long-Tail Keywords Have 3–6% Higher CTR Than Broad Terms
Long-tail keywords tend to have a 3–6% higher click-through rate than broad terms because they more closely match what users are actively looking for. When a result mirrors the exact language, context, or problem in the query, it feels immediately relevant – and therefore more clickable.
20. Using Long-Tail Keywords in Blog Titles Can Increase CTR by 45%
Adding specific phrases attracts more eyeballs in the SERPs. When users see their exact question, use case, or problem reflected in a headline, it stands out from more generic alternatives. Specific titles don’t just rank for the right queries – they attract more qualified clicks by setting accurate expectations before the user even lands on the page.
21. 89% of Marketers Say Long-Tail Keywords Are Critical for Conversion Optimisation
Most SEO pros see long tail as essential, not optional. SEO professionals recognise that rankings only matter if they drive meaningful actions, and long-tail queries are far more likely to do exactly that. They’re a core component of any SEO strategy focused on real business outcomes, not just visibility.
22. Long-Tail Keywords Account for 80% of SEO ROI in Many Campaigns
Campaigns that leverage long tail drive the majority of returns. Whilst head terms may deliver visibility, it’s long-tail queries that consistently turn traffic into tangible results. The bulk of SEO value doesn’t come from chasing a handful of big keywords, but from systematically capturing the long tail – where intent, efficiency, and ROI come together.
23. Long-Tail Queries Often Reflect Decision-Phase Intent
Users searching for specifics are typically further down the funnel. Rather than exploring broad ideas, they’re comparing options, or preparing to take action. As a result, long-tail traffic aligns closely with conversion-focused content, making it especially valuable for driving leads and measurable business outcomes.
24. B2B Buyers Do an Average of 12 Searches Before Engaging
They often start broad and then refine with long-tail queries. Early queries are often broad and exploratory, but as understanding increases, buyers refine their searches into more specific, long-tail phrases.
25. Long-Tail Queries Generally Have Lower Bounce Rates
People searching for specific terms spend more time engaging with relevant content. This is because users searching with specific, detailed terms are more likely to find content that closely matches their expectations. The clearer the intent, the easier it is for a page to deliver exactly what the user is looking for.
26. Ad Campaigns with 4+ Word Keywords See Higher Quality Scores
Long tail boosts ad performance as well as organic SEO. When the keyword, ad copy, and landing page all match a specific search, platforms like Google Ads reward that relevance. This shows that long-tail optimisation isn’t just an organic SEO advantage – it strengthens paid media efficiency too.
27. Organic Traffic From Long-Tail Keywords Keeps Users on Site 2x Longer
Highly specific searches attract visitors who explore more. As a result, they’re more likely to read thoroughly, explore related pages, and move deeper into the site – making long-tail traffic especially valuable for engagement and conversion pathways.
28. 71% of Marketers Prioritise Long-Tail Terms for Qualified Leads
Qualified traffic is often more valuable than sheer volume. This reflects a shift away from chasing raw traffic numbers toward attracting users who are more likely to convert. High volume alone doesn’t guarantee value – relevance does.
29. Adding Location to a Keyword Increases Conversion Intent by 50%
Long-tail and local is a powerful combo for local SEO. For local SEO, this combination captures users at the point of action, making long-tail + location one of the most effective drivers of conversions, not just traffic.
30. Long-Tail Searchers View 20% More Pages per Session
More specific queries attract more engaged audiences. Rather than landing and leaving, these visitors are actively seeking depth, comparison, or next steps. As a result, long-tail traffic not only converts better, but also drives deeper site exploration – reinforcing its value for engagement, trust, and overall site performance.
31. Long-Tail Searchers Are 4x More Likely to Convert on Product Pages
Product pages optimised around specific phrases perform better. Their searches reflect clear purchase intent. Instead of browsing generically, these users are looking for specific products, features, use cases, or requirements – which means they’re closer to making a decision.
32. 64% of People Use Long-Tail Questions When Ready to Buy
Long-tail research often indicates clear buying signals. They’re no longer exploring options – they’re seeking clarity, reassurance, or final confirmation. As a result, long-tail research is a strong indicator of buying intent, making these queries especially valuable for content marketing designed to support conversion decisions.
33. 35% of Product Searches on Google Are 4+ Words Long
Consumers naturally use long-tail language when shopping. Rather than searching with generic product names, users include details that reflect their preferences, constraints, and intended use. This behaviour highlights why optimising for long-tail product queries is so effective: it aligns product pages with real shopping language, and ultimately captures high-intent traffic.
34. Detailed Long-Tail Descriptions Help Products Rank 30% Better
On site-internal search systems, long-tail descriptions boost visibility. Shoppers don’t use broad category terms – they use specific attributes, features, and use cases. This shows that long-tail optimisation isn’t limited to Google SEO – it also enhances on-site discovery, helping users find the right products faster and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
35. 55% of Teens Use Voice Search Daily
This demographic contributes to long-tail growth. Voice searches are naturally more conversational, longer, and more specific than typed searches, reflecting how people speak rather than how they think in keywords.
36. Voice Search Queries Are 3–5x Longer Than Text Searches
That creates natural long-tail phrasing because users speak naturally rather than compressing their intent into short keywords. Instead of typing fragments, they ask full questions or describe their needs in detail. As voice adoption grows, this shift further expands the long tail – reinforcing why SEO strategies need to prioritise natural language, question-based, and intent-led content.
37. 20% of All Mobile Queries Are Voice Searches
Mobile usage is driving long-tail growth. When searching on the go, users favour speed and convenience, which leads them to speak rather than type – and spoken queries are naturally longer and more descriptive.
38. ‘Near Me’ Long-Tail Searches Have Grown 900% in Recent Years
Location-specific long tails are exploding. These searches reflect a shift from passive research to immediate, action-driven intent – users aren’t just looking for information, they’re looking for solutions close by and right now.
39. Long-Tail Keywords Account for More Than 70% of Search Demand Curve
Simply put, the long tail is where most search queries live. This simply means that most search queries live in the long tail, not in high-volume head terms. Whilst a small percentage of keywords generate large volumes individually, the majority of how people search is spread across countless low-volume, highly specific queries.
40. 15% of Daily Google Searches Are Entirely New Queries
Searchers invent new long-tail combinations every day, showing that searchers invent fresh long-tail combinations every day. This constant creation of new phrases means demand is always evolving – and much of it will never appear as ‘high volume’ in keyword tools.
41. 99.84% of US Search Queries Are Long Tail
Almost all unique search queries are long tail in nature. This reinforces that almost all unique searches are specific, low-frequency, and intent-driven rather than generic head terms. In reality, the long-tail is the search landscape.
42. 80% of All Search Queries Are Informational
Many long-tail questions are research-focused, and many of these take the form of long-tail questions. Users are looking to understand, learn, or solve problems, which makes intent-aligned, educational content essential for capturing early – and mid-funnel demand.
43. Long-Tail Queries With More Words Are More Specific
Search volume tends to halve with every additional word – but specificity increases. Whilst search volume tends to halve with each additional word, intent clarity rises. Each added qualifier narrows context, reduces ambiguity, and increases the likelihood that the content satisfying that query will be highly relevant.
44. Long-Tail Keywords Typically Have Lower Search Volume
By definition, long-tail terms have fewer monthly searches than broad, head keywords – but this can be a strength when it comes to conversion. People using longer, more specific queries usually know what they’re looking for, so are probably in the buying phase of their customer journey.
45. More Than 85% Of Searches Are 3 or More Words
Ahrefs data, as cited by Seer Interactive, found that only 2.8% of searches are one word, and more than 85% of searches are three or more words, a nice, clean stat to support long-tail/phrase-based optimisation.
Our Final Thoughts: Why Long-Tail Keywords Matter More Than Ever
Long-tail keywords are only niche if no one is searching for them. Spoiler: they are. And when they are, they’re the backbone of modern SEO. Not only do they make up the bulk of search queries, but they also drive more engaged users and often convert better than broad terms – because the person searching knows precisely what they want, and your content just happens to have the answer.
That’s why long-tail keyword strategies are kind of a big deal when it comes to:
- Attracting the right traffic (not just more traffic)
- Boosting conversion rates
- Reducing competition and CPC costs
- Keeping content genuinely relevant
- Keeping up with voice and mobile search habits
Whether you’re a scrappy startup or a global enterprise, ignoring long-tail keywords isn’t playing it safe – it’s leaving a huge chunk of search opportunity on the table.
Interested in developing your own SEO strategy? Book a free discovery call with Circulate to find out how we can help your business.