Long tail versus short tail keywords

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I have always, well not always but for a few years only used longtail keywords on my sites, with maybe one page for short tail.

I recently got into an argument with my best friend who only uses short tail.

My point of view is why would anyone want to try to compete with so many competitors for a short tail keyword.

Well me and my friend have been working together for some time and our views are night and day. Although I was at his house and he showed me one of his sites, he not only dominated the short tail keyword he was using but was making a healthy sum from it.

Now as far as I know he could be spending as much on paid traffic or more than he is getting back. He would not devuldge that info.

Do any of you have as much success with short tailed as long tailed after costs.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #keywords #long #long tail keyword #short #short tail keyword #tail #versus
  • If the short tail keyword generates higher conversion rates, it may be effective to pay higher per click.

    If you are selling something with low marginal costs, you should look from this angle:

    Always look for the net profit at the end of the day. Long tail keywords may not be bringing enough traffic.
  • First thing to look is always spend vs profit. Long tail keywords usually have lower costs and are more targeted. Generally they are better.

    If you are hitting the upper traffic limit for the long tail keywords and still have money to invest to grow your business, you may consider investing in lower converting keywords. At the end of the month, your total profit will be higher.
    • [1] reply
    • See that is where my argument is with him, I see it as if I am making more on long tail why not just start more websites and use the money for more long tails.
      He said the same thing, I am pretty sure my profit margin is way better than his and I showed him mine but he still refused to show me his.

      I think we will see, either I'm right and I will see long tail keywords from him or I was wrong and he will stick to the more competitive words.
  • I have had success with both long and short keywords, it all depends on its density within the page/ articles
  • I the right answer is testing the conversion per keyword, the keyword that brings the most profit wins. If you can get it by SEO, go by PPC. It's a numbers game.
  • your EPC calculation will win every time. Personally it's always better to drill down and work with longer keyword tail aslong as the search queurys can justify it
  • More about how targeted the keywords are to your product or service.

    Super targeted long tail is better than short tail.

    Really depends on the individual product.
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