Long tail keywords are the fastest way to find content topics you can actually rank for, and Google Trends plus Quora gives you a practical, repeatable system to uncover them. Instead of guessing what people want, you can watch demand rise in Trends and then steal the exact wording real users type into Quora. The result is a list of specific queries with clear intent, not vague “marketing” topics that everyone fights over. This guide walks through a workflow you can run in under an hour, then reuse every week. Along the way, you will also learn how to map each keyword to a content angle that fits creators, brands, and influencer marketers.
What long tail keywords are and why they win
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that usually have lower search volume but higher intent. A head term like “influencer marketing” is broad and competitive, while a long tail phrase like “influencer marketing brief template for skincare brand” signals a reader who is ready to act. Because the query is specific, you can match it with a focused article, checklist, or template. That relevance often improves click through rate and time on page, which helps rankings over time. Just as important, long tail phrases are easier to turn into content that drives leads, not just traffic.
In influencer marketing, long tail queries often hide inside operational problems: pricing, contracts, usage rights, whitelisting, or reporting. If your content answers those problems with steps and examples, you attract decision makers. For a quick decision rule, prioritize keywords that include a qualifier like “for,” “template,” “how to,” “best,” “cost,” “vs,” or a niche like “fitness,” “SaaS,” or “DTC.” Those modifiers usually indicate a defined need and a reader who is closer to taking action.
Key terms you should know before you research
Keyword research gets easier when you can translate a query into campaign math and deliverables. Here are the terms you will see in influencer briefs and performance reports, plus how to use them when choosing topics.
- CPM (cost per thousand impressions) – formula: CPM = (Cost / Impressions) x 1000. Use it when content angles compare pricing efficiency.
- CPV (cost per view) – formula: CPV = Cost / Views. Useful for video heavy platforms where views are the primary KPI.
- CPA (cost per acquisition) – formula: CPA = Cost / Conversions. Great for long tail queries about performance deals and affiliate structures.
- Engagement rate – common formula: ER = (Likes + Comments + Saves) / Followers. Use it for topics about creator quality and audience fit.
- Reach – unique accounts who saw content. Use it when queries mention “reach guarantee” or “estimated reach.”
- Impressions – total views, including repeats. Use it in pricing and reporting topics.
- Whitelisting – a brand runs ads through a creator’s handle. Keywords often include “whitelisting permission,” “spark ads,” or “creator allowlisting.”
- Usage rights – permission to reuse content (organic, paid, duration, channels). Long tail queries often include “usage rights clause” or “how long can we use UGC.”
- Exclusivity – creator agrees not to work with competitors for a period. Keywords often include “exclusivity fee” or “category exclusivity.”
Concrete takeaway: when you find a keyword, label it with the primary metric it implies (CPM, CPV, CPA, or engagement rate). That label will later help you write a tighter outline and add the right examples.
Google Trends workflow to spot demand and seasonality
Google Trends is not a keyword volume tool, but it is excellent for direction. It shows relative interest over time, breakout queries, and regional differences. Start with a broad seed topic, then narrow it into a niche and format. For influencer marketing, good seeds include “creator brief,” “UGC ads,” “influencer contract,” “TikTok Spark Ads,” or “affiliate code.” If you are new to Trends, Google’s own overview is worth a quick skim: Google Trends Help.
Use this step by step method:
- Set the right scope: choose your target country, and start with “Past 12 months.” Switch to “Past 5 years” to confirm the trend is not a one week spike.
- Compare two to five variants: for example, compare “UGC ads” vs “creator whitelisting” vs “Spark Ads.” Keep the list short so the chart stays readable.
- Check “Related queries”: sort by “Rising” to find breakout phrasing. Copy the exact wording users search.
- Validate seasonality: if interest peaks every November, plan content updates in October so you rank before the spike.
- Use categories: filter to a relevant category like “Business” when a term is ambiguous.
Concrete takeaway: do not pick topics only because they are “rising.” Pick topics that are rising and also have stable baseline interest over multiple months, because those are easier to sustain with evergreen content.
Quora workflow to extract real questions and intent
Quora is a goldmine for long tail phrasing because it captures how people ask for help in plain language. Unlike many SEO tools, it also reveals context: what the person tried, what they fear, and what outcome they want. Start by searching a seed term, then open the most followed questions. Pay attention to repeated patterns in titles, especially “How do I,” “What is the difference between,” and “Is it worth it.” Those patterns often translate directly into high intent keywords.
Run this practical extraction process:
- Search one seed term (example: “influencer whitelisting”).
- Open 10 to 20 relevant questions and copy the question titles into a doc.
- Tag each question by intent: learning (definitions), comparison (vs), transactional (cost, template), or troubleshooting (why did this fail).
- Look for modifiers: platform names, niche categories, budget ranges, contract terms, and time frames.
- Rewrite into a search friendly phrase without changing meaning. Keep the user’s wording when it is clear.
Concrete takeaway: prioritize Quora questions that include constraints like budget, platform, or deliverable type. Constraints usually indicate the reader is making a decision, which makes the keyword more valuable.
Combine Google Trends and Quora into a repeatable long tail keywords list
The real power comes from merging the two sources. Trends tells you what is gaining momentum, while Quora tells you how people describe the problem. First, take 5 to 10 “Related queries” from Trends. Next, find matching Quora questions and capture the exact phrasing. Finally, turn each into a content promise: what will the reader be able to do after reading your article.
Use this simple scoring model to decide what to publish first. Give each candidate keyword a 1 to 5 score in each column, then total it.
| Factor | What to look for | Score 1 | Score 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trend direction | Past 12 months slope in Google Trends | Declining | Steadily rising |
| Intent strength | Does the query imply action, purchase, or a decision? | Purely informational | Template, cost, or how to execute |
| Specificity | Platform, niche, deliverable, or constraint included | Vague | Highly constrained |
| Content fit | Can you answer it with your expertise and data? | Weak fit | Strong fit with examples |
| Business value | Likelihood the reader is a buyer or stakeholder | Low | High |
Concrete takeaway: publish the keywords with the highest combined score, but keep one “experimental” topic per month that is rising fast. That mix builds stable traffic while still catching new demand early.
Turn keywords into influencer marketing content that converts
A keyword is only useful if you can satisfy the intent better than existing results. For each long tail phrase, decide the best content format: checklist, template, calculator, or case study. Then add at least one concrete example with numbers. If you need a consistent place to publish and interlink these assets, build a hub on your site and keep it updated. You can see how we structure practical guides on the InfluencerDB Blog, where articles link to each other by workflow stage.
Here is a framework that works well for creator and brand audiences:
- Define the term in one sentence.
- Explain when it matters with a decision rule.
- Give a step by step process with tools and screenshots you can add later.
- Include a mini calculation (CPM, CPV, CPA, or engagement rate).
- Provide a template – a clause, a checklist, or a brief outline.
Example calculation you can reuse in many posts: If a creator charges $1,200 for a Reel and you estimate 40,000 impressions, CPM = (1200 / 40000) x 1000 = $30. If your benchmark is $20 CPM for that niche, the post should explain how to negotiate, add deliverables, or justify the premium with stronger usage rights.
Concrete takeaway: every long tail page should include at least one “do this next” element, such as a checklist, a script, or a simple formula, so readers feel immediate progress.
Tool and source checklist (with a comparison table)
You do not need a complex stack to start. However, it helps to know what each source is good at so you do not force it to answer the wrong question. Use the table below to choose the right tool for each step of the workflow.
| Tool or source | Best for | Limitations | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Trends | Trend direction, seasonality, breakout queries | No absolute volume, relative scale only | Validate over 5 years to avoid short hype cycles |
| Quora | Real question phrasing, pain points, objections | Some topics skew to beginners | Filter for questions with many followers and detailed comments |
| Google Search results | See what Google already rewards for that intent | Personalization can bias results | Use an incognito window and note the dominant content format |
| Google Keyword Planner | Directional volume ranges and related terms | Built for ads, not SEO nuance | Use it to sanity check that a term is not truly zero demand |
For deeper guidance on how Google thinks about helpful content and quality, keep an eye on official documentation such as Google Search guidance on helpful content. That standard is a useful north star when you are turning a keyword into an article outline.
Concrete takeaway: if Trends shows a rise but Search results are dominated by news, do not write evergreen content yet. Wait until stable guides start ranking, or publish a timely explainer and plan an evergreen update later.
Common mistakes when using Trends and Quora
- Chasing spikes without context: a one week breakout can be driven by a viral post. Confirm it holds over multiple months.
- Copying Quora questions verbatim when they are unclear: keep the meaning, but rewrite for clarity and search intent.
- Ignoring the SERP format: if top results are tools and templates, a generic blog post will struggle.
- Mixing intents on one page: do not combine “what is” and “pricing” into one article unless you can satisfy both cleanly.
- Forgetting internal linking: long tail pages work best as a cluster that supports a broader hub topic.
Concrete takeaway: before writing, state the single intent your page will satisfy in one sentence. If you cannot, the keyword is probably too broad.
Best practices to keep your keyword system fresh
Keyword research is not a one time project. Trends and Quora change as platforms ship new ad formats, creators adopt new monetization models, and brands shift budgets. Build a lightweight routine so your content pipeline stays aligned with demand. Start by revisiting your top 20 keywords monthly and checking whether interest is rising, flat, or fading. Then update your articles with new examples, refreshed screenshots, and clearer definitions.
- Schedule a weekly 30 minute sweep: 10 minutes in Trends, 10 minutes in Quora, 10 minutes prioritizing.
- Write titles that match intent: include the outcome, such as “template,” “checklist,” or “calculator.”
- Add proof: include a benchmark, a formula, or a short case example so the page feels grounded.
- Build topic clusters: link related articles together so Google and readers see depth.
- Update for policy changes: if your topic touches ads or disclosures, revisit it when platforms or regulators update guidance.
Concrete takeaway: keep a simple spreadsheet with columns for keyword, source (Trends or Quora), intent, publish date, last updated date, and next update trigger. That one sheet prevents your best pages from going stale.
A quick example: from seed topic to publishable outline
Say your seed topic is “Spark Ads.” In Google Trends, you might see “Spark Ads cost” rising and “Spark Ads whitelisting” appearing in related queries. On Quora, you might find questions like “Do Spark Ads need creator permission?” and “Is Spark Ads worth it for small brands?” Now you have multiple long tail angles with clear intent: cost, permissions, and ROI for small budgets.
Turn one into an outline in five moves:
- Pick the intent: “permissions and process.”
- Draft a promise: “How to get creator authorization and avoid ad rejection.”
- Add definitions: whitelisting, usage rights, exclusivity.
- Add a checklist: what to request from the creator, what to store, what to confirm before launch.
- Add one metric example: CPV estimate for a $500 test and what success looks like.
Concrete takeaway: when a keyword implies a process, your best asset is usually a checklist plus a short script readers can copy into an email or DM.
