Why are they called “long-tail” keywords?
The term “long tail” is derived from the concept of the long tail in statistics, which refers to the distribution of certain types of data. In the context of keywords, the “long tail” refers to the vast number of unique search queries that may be low in volume individually but collectively account for a significant portion of total search demand. Chris Anderson popularized the idea in his 2004 Wired magazine article “The Long Tail” and subsequent book “The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More.”
The term “tail” in this context refers to the lower-selling or specialty products at the very end of a distribution graph. As opposed to the “head” or more popular, shorter keywords, long-tail keywords indicate the less common, more precise, and less frequently searched terms.
Long Tail Keywords in SEO
Long tail keywords are specific and highly targeted search phrases consisting of three or more words that users enter into search engines. These keywords are characterized by their detailed and niche nature, addressing more specific queries or topics. The term “long-tail” is derived from the shape of a distribution graph, where the majority of search traffic is concentrated in a small number of popular, generic terms (the “head” of the graph), while a larger number of less-searched, specific terms form a longer “tail.”