Apr 01 2009

Discover New Promising Long Tail Based on Your Current Rankings

Long tail keywords (those that consist of your core term and several modifiers) are able of sending huge amounts of traffic. Besides, the top rankings for them are not hard to achieve.

The only trick is to spot the correct ones. There are plenty of methods (which also depend on the niche) but I am going to speak about identifying long tail keywords based on your current rankings and Google search referrals.

Two tools you will need are: SEMrush (paid: $20 for one month) and Google Analytics (free).

Step 1: run your domain/ URL check on SEMrush and try spot some “promising” (repetitive) patterns based on Google search volume and your Google positions:


Step 2: navigate to “Google Search Referrals” section on Google Analytics and run a search on Google Analytics for the word within the phrase:

Here you go! The whole bunch of word-combinations you would have probably never noticed otherwise. Now, all you need to do is to limit that list to only those where you do not own #1 position already.

How would you use that terms? Create new content? Optimize the old one? Please share your thoughts?

10 Responses to “Discover New Promising Long Tail Based on Your Current Rankings”

  1. Juan Luis Sarchione Terminiello says:

    If that keyword has a specific landing page i would optimize it. But if every search goes to a different page, i would create a new post.

  2. Barry Welford says:

    Where other posts on your blog refer to the post that is currently highest ranking for that keyword phrase, then you can consider editing the post and modifying the text used to describe the link to better target the more valuable keyword phrase.

    Barry Welford’s last incredible blog post..Registered Retirement Savings Plan Contributions In Canada

  3. mona lee says:

    HI !
    very informative post really great one appreciated..

  4. Steen Öhman says:

    Fine post

    SEMrush is new to me, will check that out. Thanks

    Steen Öhman’s last incredible blog post..Tip til Twitter 2

  5. Fabio Ricotta says:

    Hi Ann! Nice tip. I really like to see my Competitors Adwords Campaings (at SEM Rush) and then improve some of my pages to get top results on that kws. So you can focus on those keywords that has a better conversion.

    Fabio Ricotta’s last incredible blog post..Google Mini Sitelinks

  6. Ken Lyons says:

    Ann,

    This is a great, creative method for long tail keyword discovery.

    @Fabio, rather than tweaking existing pages, I’d recommend people create new pages of content around new long tail keyword queries.

    Cheers!
    Ken

  7. Steen Öhman says:

    Have been testing semrush now for a client, and thats really a great tool – you just made my day (or saved for that matter).

    Steen Öhman’s last incredible blog post..SEO David Naylor on reputation management

  8. Jim Turner says:

    I have been interested in trying SEM Rush. I might as well give in.

  9. Debojyoti says:

    Looks good. But I think this can be done with Adwords Keywordtool and Google Analytics Combo. Why buy SEMRush? Even if I need to use semrust I can use the free part and come up with what I need.

    Debojyoti’s last incredible blog post..Artisteer-Template and Theme generator

  10. Duane Brown says:

    Great post. I’ll have to give this one a try.

    Duane Brown’s last incredible blog post..Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Site Audit