When researching phrases for Search Engine Optimization, web site owners should include short tail phrases that are highly searched. In addition, three or four word long tail keyword phrases should also be included regardless of whether they receive less searches. The high number of searches for a short phrase may generate more traffic while the long tail keyword phrases will generate a higher conversion rate. The conversion rate for long tail phrases will be higher because these phrases tend to be more specific to products or services. Normally, if a consumer types in a long tail phrase, they know what they are looking for and are most often at the purchasing phase of their search.

When compiling keyword phrases to use for web site optimization, long tail keyword research can be utilized within the Google Query Suggestions in Google Search. By simply typing in a couple of words, Google will show other, more detailed variations of phrases that include your short tail keywords. These suggestions are phrases that are searched by users all over the world. This gives you an opportunity to see what others are actually searching for and these other variations should be taken into consideration when optimizing a web site. You can take this a step further by entering the long tail keyword phrases into the Google Search Tool to find very specific, detailed searches which will have low traffic but high conversion.

This should give you a better understanding of the search patterns used within Google.