Does a 4 word phrase pick up 3 word searches?

[Bounderby]

If my domain name and content focuses on a 4 word phrase, such as "big juicy red apples", will my site still show up in searches for "juicy red apples"? Obviously the exact 4 word phrase has a lot lower search volume than the 3 word phrase, but it would still pull some traffic right?

Thanks.

[Fraggler]

Over time it will. Throw in some of the "3 word phrase' as anchor text and it will help it along.

I'll give you one good experience I have had. I had a domain (bigbrand)dietplan.com and only targeted (big-brand) diet plan as the keyword using it as my only anchor text. After about 6 months I hit the top 5 spots of "diet plan" and "diet plans" as well as "(big-brand)".

It didn't last long as (big-brand) sent me a C&D so I had to change domains

Point it - the smaller phrases will start ranking well after some time.

[alaltaieri]

like Fraggler told you, you will show up in searches for all of your keywords but in time (2-3 months minimum)

[Matthewdc]

Hey Bounderby,

Just as the others said, you will rank for combinations of the terms you use in the domain. Honestly, while Google still offers an EMD boost (which some ppl debate), what terms you optimize for when doing your On-Page SEO and backlinking are what tend to determine what you will rank for. For instance, if you use the phrase "Learn SEO Basics" as your keyword phrase, then use it as anchor text for your backlinks, you will eventually rank for both "Learn SEO", as well as "SEO Basics".