The difference between common search terms and long-tail search terms is the number of words in the term. Long-tail terms are usually composed of 3 or more words. Common search terms account for 30% of all search traffic, while long-tail accounts for 70%. Following are a couple of examples:
Common: HPC Computers
Long-Tail: HPC Computers for Research Institutions
Common: Intel Processors
Long-Tail: Fastest Intel Processors
Looking at these examples, it’s easy to see why more complex terms will have a lower search volume than simple terms. However, it is also easy to see the significantly greater value of long-tail terms. They tend to be terms that serious shoppers and buyers use to find exactly what they want.
So why doesn’t everyone opt for long-tail terms? Because success requires a serious strategy, complex planning, and a large volume of terms—some experts recommend 150 or more. Users also need a way to get their terms into the first page of search results. This is all possible. And we should know—it’s what we do every day for our clients!