While everyone fights over the same popular keywords, thousands of search queries sit ignored every day. These forgotten searches represent real people with specific problems, ready to convert.

Targeting broad, competitive terms is almost always a shortcut to draining budgets and receiving mediocre results. Meanwhile, longtail keywords - those specific, three-to-five-word phrases - offer a goldmine of targeted traffic with far less competition.

Longtail SEO flips the script. Instead of battling giants for generic terms, you capture highly motivated visitors who know exactly what they want. These searches naturally convert better than broad keywords because they match user intent precisely.

In this article, we’ll take a close look at how longtail SEO works behind the scenes and how you can implement it to drive steady, qualified traffic.

TL;DR:

• Keyword tools can’t surface everything. Some of the best long-tail opportunities come from support tickets, sales calls, and internal searches, not SEO software.
• Zero volume doesn’t mean zero value. Many high-converting keywords won’t show up in tools but still bring qualified traffic if tied to a real user need.
• Long-tail queries reveal buying intent. Phrases like “CRM for SaaS with Stripe integration” filter out window shoppers and bring in prospects who already know what they want.
• Content format matters as much as the keyword. Not every query should become a blog post; some work better as help docs, landing pages, or comparison tables.
• Support tickets reveal your best long-tail opportunities. Customer service data shows exactly how users describe problems, giving you authentic keyword phrases that convert well.
• Multi-touch funnel coverage beats single-keyword focus. Users might find you through "how to calculate churn rate," then later search "SaaS churn tracking tool with API access."

What Are Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are specific search phrases containing three or more words that target precise user queries. These keywords typically have lower search volume but higher conversion potential because they match precisely what searchers want. 

Unlike broad terms, long-tail keywords capture users at the bottom of the sales funnel when they're ready to make decisions.

These phrases don’t pull massive search volume, but also attract users who know exactly what they’re looking for. In B2B SaaS, long-tail queries often include industry-specific terms, feature needs, or intent-driven use cases.

Examples include "CRM software for small manufacturing businesses" instead of "CRM software," or "project management tool with time tracking for agencies" rather than "project management." 

Long-Tail Keywords vs Short and Medium-Tail Keywords

Short and medium-tail keywords are broader. They might describe a product category, business function, or high-level topic. For instance:

• Short: “email marketing”
• Medium: “email marketing software”
• Long: “email marketing automation for SaaS startups”

Here’s how they compare:

Short-tail keywords bring in traffic, but most of it floats at the surface. There’s no clear signal of what the searcher wants or where they are in the decision process. Long-tail keywords cut through that ambiguity. 

This targeting precision makes long-tail keywords particularly valuable for B2B SaaS businesses where customer acquisition costs matter significantly. You spend less on SEO while attracting visitors more likely to convert into paying customers.

Let’s talk some more about how longtail SEO deserves more attention in your SaaS SEO strategy.

Why Use Long-Tail Keywords in SEO Strategy?

There’s been a quiet question floating around: is SEO even worth it anymore? With AI tools answering questions instantly and platforms pushing more content behind walled gardens, it’s easy to assume the game is over. But search hasn’t disappeared. 

A recent Forbes report says that organic search still drives 51% all content consumption, making SEO critical for sustainable growth.

With AI search engines transforming how people find information, user behavior is shifting dramatically. 

People are now typing full, intent-rich questions like “how to calculate LTV to CAC for SaaS platforms” instead of just “SaaS metrics.” These are long-tail queries. And there’s a whole ecosystem of them that most competitors aren’t even targeting.

This evolution creates massive opportunities for long-tail keyword optimization. These ultra-specific searches represent untapped potential waiting for smart businesses to claim. 

If you are looking for more specific reasons to go all guns blazing on long-tail keywords, here they are:

1. Less Competition and Lower Keyword Difficulty

Long-tail keywords face significantly less competition because most businesses chase popular broad terms. While thousands of companies fight for "email marketing software," far fewer target "email marketing software with advanced segmentation for e-commerce stores."

This reduced competition translates directly into lower keyword difficulty scores. You can rank for long-tail terms with less authoritative content and fewer backlinks. A well-optimized blog post can outrank established competitors who haven't addressed specific use cases.

The math works in your favor: ranking #3 for a long-tail keyword with 100 monthly searches often generates more qualified traffic than ranking #15 for a broad term with 10,000 searches. Plus, you actually have a realistic chance of reaching that #3 position.

2. Higher Conversion Rates

Long-tail keywords convert better because they capture users with clear purchase intent. Someone searching "free email marketing tool" is browsing, but someone searching "email marketing tool with A/B testing under $100/month" is ready to buy.

These specific searchers have already done their research and identified their requirements. They're not exploring options but looking for solutions that match their exact needs. 

When your content addresses their specific situation, conversion becomes natural rather than forced. B2B buyers especially appreciate this precision because they need to justify purchases to stakeholders. 

Content that perfectly aligns with their industry, company size, and specific challenges builds trust and accelerates decision-making.

3. Alignment With User Search Intent

Long-tail keywords naturally align with different types of search intent, making content creation more strategic. Whether users want information, comparisons, or ready-to-purchase solutions, specific keywords reveal their exact needs.

This alignment helps you create content that actually serves searchers rather than just targeting keywords. 

When you understand why someone searches for "inventory management software for Shopify stores with multiple locations," you can address their multichannel challenges directly.

Search engines reward this relevance with better rankings because user satisfaction signals improve when content matches intent perfectly. Your bounce rates decrease while time on page increases, creating positive feedback loops that boost your SEO performance.

4. More Visibility Across the Funnel

Top-of-funnel searches like "how to track churn in SaaS" capture users discovering their problems, while bottom-funnel ones like "SaaS churn tool with API access" target users ready to purchase specific solutions.

This funnel coverage creates sustained engagement throughout the buying process. When your content addresses awareness-stage questions, you build trust early. 

Those same users remember your brand when they reach decision-making stages and search for specific product features.

Traditional broad keywords only capture users at one moment. Long-tail SEO lets you stay visible across multiple searches as buyers progress through research phases. 

A prospect might first find your blog post about churn calculation methods, then later discover your product comparison page through a more specific search.

This multi-touch approach significantly improves conversion rates because you're nurturing prospects through valuable content rather than hoping they convert on first contact. 

Now, without any further ado, let’s figure out how to find these keywords and rank for them.

How to Find the Right Long-Tail Keywords

A common mistake is starting with keyword tools and filtering by search volume. That approach misses the mark. Volume doesn’t always equal value. 

Another misstep is guessing what users might be typing, instead of paying attention to how they talk about their problems.

Everything starts with data, and that includes keyword discovery. Right now, 8 in 10 business leaders say data plays a central role in how they make decisions. The same thinking applies here: long-tail keyword research should be grounded in real user inputs, not assumptions.

The better approach is to look where real questions are already being asked, and work backwards from use cases, not broad topics. Here's how to do that properly:

1. Start with Your Sales and Support Conversations

The most specific questions often come from prospects and customers, obviously. Dig into support tickets, demo call transcripts, and pre-sales emails. If people keep asking about “multi-tenant user roles in SaaS onboarding,” that’s not just a feature; they’re also keywords waiting to be used.

Teams usually overlook these phrases because they’re internal-facing. But these queries are gold because they’re tied to real evaluation-stage intent. Set up a habit of tagging repeated questions in your CRM or helpdesk. Every pattern is a signal.

2. Analyze Internal Site Search Queries

If your product or blog has a search bar, check what visitors are typing. These are low-volume queries that reflect high-interest areas. 

For example, someone searching “does this integrate with HubSpot” reveals a long-tail phrase like “SaaS reporting tool with HubSpot integration.”

Most of these searches don’t appear in keyword tools. But they show what people are actively looking for on your site. That makes them more reliable than guesswork and more specific than generic industry terms.

3. Mine Community Forums and Review Sites

Forums offer something keyword tools can’t: unfiltered language from real users. Places like Reddit, G2, and Product Hunt are filled with people describing their needs in plain terms, not polished search phrases. That’s exactly where long-tail opportunities live.

And interest in these spaces is growing. Reddit’s organic search traffic alone has jumped by over 11.68% month-on-month, showing that more users are turning to community threads to find answers. 

A post asking “Looking for a CRM with Slack alerts and billing analytics” gives you multiple angles to target - none of which you’ll find by sorting keyword lists by volume.

4. Use Google Search Features (Autocomplete + People Also Ask)

Google’s own search suggestions are based on patterns of real user behavior. Start typing a base keyword like “SaaS onboarding platform,” and autocomplete might show “SaaS onboarding platform with progress tracking” or “SaaS onboarding for technical teams.” These are ready-to-use long-tail variations.

The “People Also Ask” section is equally helpful. It breaks down related questions that can feed into subtopics, blog sections, or new pages entirely. These prompts save time and help content stay grounded in how users are actually searching.

5. Repurpose Blog Comments, Surveys, and Case Studies

User-generated content often contains keywords hiding in plain sight. Blog comments, product reviews, NPS surveys, or even one-sentence quotes in a case study can reveal the exact phrasing users use.

If a testimonial says, “We switched to X because it tracks feature usage by account tier,” that opens up a long-tail angle like “SaaS analytics for account-tier tracking.”

Mining these sources also helps capture voice-of-customer tone, which improves both keyword relevance and on-page engagement.

6. Track Keyword Clues Through Social Media Conversations

Social platforms are filled with real-time questions, complaints, and tool comparisons. Pay attention to how users describe their needs on LinkedIn, X, or in niche Slack groups. 

A casual post like “Need a product analytics tool that’s not as complex as Mixpanel” can spark a content idea around “simple product analytics tools for SaaS.” These mentions often point to gaps that haven't been addressed yet.

Pay attention to hashtags and industry conversations during events or product launches. These discussions often generate new terminology and specific use cases that become trending long-tail searches.

7. Reverse Engineer Competitor Content

Competitors are likely already doing well in search, which can point you toward keywords you’ve missed. Find a high-performing page, then break it down. What long-tail queries is it ranking for? Which headings or questions show up in its snippet coverage?

Let’s say a competitor ranks for a blog on “Reducing Churn in SaaS.” A tool like Semrush might reveal they also rank for “reduce SaaS churn with NPS tracking” or “customer success playbooks to prevent churn.” These are long-tail angles worth exploring in your own content, especially if you can go deeper.

8. Don’t Ignore Zero-Volume Keywords

Some of the best-performing long-tail queries won’t show up in any keyword tool. Zero volume doesn’t mean zero traffic; it just means the search is niche or new. In B2B SaaS, that’s common.

Take a question like “How to generate audit trails for compliance in SaaS apps?” It might show up as zero volume, but still deliver visits, leads, or high engagement if it addresses a critical need.

The best way to evaluate these keywords is by judging intent. If the question reflects a real, product-relevant pain point, write for it, even if the metrics aren’t flashy.

Now that we have learned how to find long-tail keywords, let’s learn how to turn these long-tail keywords into content that brings in qualified leads.

How to Turn Long-Tail Keywords into High-Converting Content

Finding long-tail queries is one part of the equation. What turns them into traffic drivers and lead magnets is how you turn that raw search intent into something useful. Random blog posts targeting isolated keywords won't build the topical authority search engines reward.

The way you structure, format, and position each piece will ultimately decide how well it performs. Here's how to approach long-tail SEO content strategy with intent:

1. Create Topic Clusters

Start by grouping related long-tail keywords into a single content hub. If users are searching for “SaaS onboarding tool,” “onboarding with usage tracking,” and “user onboarding checklist for B2B SaaS,” don’t write three isolated posts. 

Build a cluster. Create one core piece that sets the theme, then support it with focused subtopics.

This structure helps search engines understand how your content connects. It also guides the reader deeper into your expertise. 

A strong cluster gives you multiple ranking opportunities while signaling topical authority. Keep internal linking tight and purposeful, not random.

2. Develop Comprehensive Pillar Pages

Create comprehensive pillar pages that serve as authoritative resources for your main topics, then support them with detailed long-tail content. 

Your pillar page might cover "Complete Guide to Marketing Automation," while supporting pages target specific scenarios like "email sequence automation for SaaS onboarding."

Pillar pages should be 3,000+ words covering every aspect of a topic, while cluster content dives deep into specific use cases or solutions. This structure helps search engines understand your content hierarchy and expertise level.

Link cluster content back to pillar pages to pass authority and create clear navigation paths for users exploring related topics.

3. Alignment With Content Calendar

Schedule long-tail content creation around business goals, product launches, and seasonal trends rather than publishing randomly. Plan cluster content to launch together, building momentum and topical relevance signals.

Time-sensitive long-tail keywords around industry events, feature releases, or compliance deadlines when search volume peaks. "SOC 2 compliance accounting software" might spike before audit seasons.

Coordinate with sales and marketing teams to ensure content supports current campaigns and addresses objections prospects raise during sales conversations.

4. Format for the Right Search Intent

Don’t assume that every query deserves a blog post. The right format depends on what the user is likely looking for. A how-to query like “how to set up SAML authentication in SaaS” works best as a step-by-step tutorial in your documentation or help center.

On the other hand, a question like “best SaaS tools for customer retention” fits a blog format that compares options and offers insight. Matching format to intent reduces bounce rates and makes content more useful to both the user and to search engines.

Comparison keywords work best as detailed tables or side-by-side analyses. Tutorial keywords need step-by-step guides with screenshots. Product-specific keywords require feature-focused landing pages with clear calls-to-action.

Test different content formats for similar long-tail keywords to identify what converts best for your audience and industry.

5. Build an Internal Link Architecture

When long-tail pieces are connected in a logical flow, they guide readers from surface-level interest to deeper, more targeted content. This mirrors your conversion funnel: awareness-stage content leads into use case comparisons, which lead to product pages.

It also helps distribute page authority. Linking newer long-tail pages to stronger, existing content gives them a better chance to rank. And when you use descriptive anchor text, like “inventory management best practices” instead of “read more”, you reinforce keyword relevance without forcing it.

Make sure to create hub pages that collect related long-tail content, making it easy for users to find comprehensive information about specific topics or use cases.

6. Use Real-World Language in Content

It’s not enough to insert keywords into paragraphs. You need to speak the same way your users do. That means mirroring the phrasing they use in forums, emails, surveys, and even reviews.

If users say “we needed a CRM that worked with Stripe,” then use that phrasing, not “payment-integrated CRM solution.” 

Write headers like “CRM that connects to Stripe” and explain it in plain terms. When your language lines up with how users think, it builds trust and improves keyword alignment at the same time.

If you’ve structured your content around real user intent, grouped topics thoughtfully, and built internal connections between them, you’re on the right track. But none of it matters unless it drives results.

So, how do you know if your long-tail content is doing its job? In the next section, we’ll walk through how to measure what’s working, what’s falling short, and where to adjust. Let’s break it down.

How to Measure the Impact of Long-Tail SEO

Long-tail content often starts slow, but when it works, the results compound. To know what’s gaining traction, you need to track more than just pageviews. Focus on metrics that reflect both search visibility and user intent.

• Organic Traffic per Page: Track visits to each long-tail page. If traffic grows steadily over weeks or months without promotion, that’s a sign the keyword is ranking.
• Search Queries and Impressions: Use Google Search Console to review the exact phrases your content is appearing for. Look for growth in impressions for long-form queries tied to your target topic.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): A low CTR on high-impression long-tail keywords means your title or meta doesn’t match the intent. Adjust the copy to be clearer or more aligned with the query.
• Time on Page and Bounce Rate: Long-tail visitors often spend more time when the content matches their needs. A high bounce rate could signal that the page doesn’t address the query fully or loads too slowly.
• Conversions and Assisted Conversions: Track whether visitors from long-tail pages take action, e.g., download a lead magnet, request a demo, start a trial. Use attribution tools to measure if they convert later through another channel.
• Internal Click Paths: See where readers go after landing on long-tail content. If they’re following links deeper into your funnel, your content and internal link structure are doing their job.

Tracking these signals consistently helps you refine what to double down on and what needs fixing. However, to turn long-tail SEO into a repeatable growth channel, you need more than just the right keywords and smart content.

A well-designed and optimized website is the technical foundation on which any long-tail SEO strategy stands. It doesn’t matter how targeted or valuable your content is. If the site feels slow, broken, or hard to use, you lose the trust before you earn the click.

Search engines pick up on that, too. Poor load times, messy structure, and weak mobile performance can hold back rankings, no matter how strong your keywords are. 

Long-tail content works best when it’s paired with fast, accessible, and easy-to-navigate pages that guide users toward action without friction.

Make Your SEO Efforts Count With a Website Designed by Beetle Beetle

Long-tail SEO works best when it stops chasing volume and starts answering real questions. When done right, it builds compounding value: stronger visibility, better engagement, and a steady stream of qualified leads.

At Beetle Beetle, we help SaaS companies go beyond surface-level SEO by anchoring each piece of content in deep market and competitor research. We refine your messaging and positioning, design a visual identity that stands out in a crowded space, and build a clean, scalable CMS on Webflow.

From visual elements that keep users engaged to website copy built around real search intent, we create integrated systems where design and content work together.

What would it look like if your website actually spoke to your best-fit buyers before your sales team ever did?

Hire Beetle Beetle to make your website the most valuable asset in your marketing stack.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a long-tail strategy for SEO?

A long-tail SEO strategy targets specific, multi-word search phrases instead of broad keywords. You focus on detailed queries like "project management tool with time tracking for creative agencies" rather than "project management software." This captures users with clear purchase intent who convert at higher rates.

2. How many long-tail keywords for SEO?

There’s no fixed number. Instead, think in terms of themes. Build content clusters around a core topic, with each piece targeting one specific long-tail query. For early-stage websites, 15–20 focused long-tail pages can start moving the needle. For larger sites, long-tail content should scale with your offerings and customer personas.

3. What is the best example of a long-tail keyword?

"Marketing automation software with lead scoring for B2B SaaS companies under $100/month" shows a perfect long-tail structure. It specifies product type, key feature, target audience, and price range. Users searching this phrase know exactly what they want and are ready to buy.

4. Do long-tail keywords still work in 2025?

Long-tail keywords work better than ever because AI search engines encourage specific, conversational queries. People now ask detailed questions like "What's the best inventory system for Shopify stores with multiple warehouses?" This creates huge opportunities for businesses targeting these natural language searches.