A longer, more specific search phrase, typically with lower search volume but also lower competition and often higher purchase intent than a short, broad "head" keyword.
Why it matters
Long-tail keywords are often more achievable to rank for than highly competitive broad terms, and the specificity of the search often signals a person further along in their decision-making process.
In a sentence
"We're not going to outrank established players for 'marketing software,' but 'marketing release management for small teams' is a long-tail term we can realistically own."
Related terms
- Antonyms: Head keyword (a short, broad, high-volume, highly competitive search term).