Short-Tail Keyword

A short-tail keyword (often referred to as a head term) is a broad search query consisting of one or two words, characterized by massive monthly search volume and extreme keyword difficulty. Examples include “laptops,” “insurance,” or “marketing.” Because short-tail keywords lack specific intent, the searcher could be looking for a definition, a picture, or a product to buy, they typically suffer from abysmal conversion rates. While ranking for a short-tail keyword provides massive brand visibility, the ROI is almost always significantly lower than executing a targeted, long-tail keyword strategy focused on bottom, of-funnel commercial queries.

Short-Tail Keyword Simplified

A short-tail keyword is a very short, broad search like “cars” or “software.” Millions of people search for these words, but they are incredibly difficult to rank for, and the people searching usually aren’t ready to buy anything yet because they are just browsing.