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So we all know about longtail keyword vs. short tail. However, it seems that the definition is a bit inconsistant. Some people say longtail keywords are keywords that get very low amounts of traffic, others that they are key phrases with 2 or more words. And others add to this that they have high conversion rate but describe specific features, product, service, model # etc.

In an ideal model I suppose all of these things would be true. As keyword length increases, traffic tends to decrease, keyword is more specific pointing at features, model#, specific product etc and therefore the conversion rate is a bit higher as well.

However, the data isn't a perfect curve. I will see keywords that get 18,000 searches but have 4 words. And then I will see single word key phrases that get <10 -20 searches a month. What am I to consider these? Its like they fit half the criteria. Any comments on this would be helpful and appreciated. I suppose the real question I am after is - it seems like the real definition of a long tail keyword cant be any of the above traits of a long tail keyword. How do you really define a long tail keyword in all circumstances (without it being this subjective idealized definition based on a perfect model) and where would the keyword circumstances (lots of words but high traffic, and low traffic but 1 word) fall in the graph? Center?

Thanks for the help, but I am already very familiar with regular SEO practices. (good resources though )Just trying to get my head around the specifics of how certain aspects of local. What you said above makes a lot of sense. So pretty much if I am mounting a good SEo campaign in general it is still a good idea to add in that local focus for the area which they have an address.

Im thinking what makes the most sense is this case is using their address in Erie and using the term "Western PA" to denote a regional focus across the text. Anyone have a nay or yay vote for this?

Maybe it is an incorrect assumption that 7-pack results are what we are after primarily for local SEO. I suppose what it would do would be to give us an advantage if the searcher is in the location of our focus...But we still need a location everywhere we want to focus???

These are all great tips on how to perform local SEO, however my biggest question is really around the keywords and the local listing process.

1 - in order to get most local listings you need an address to verify. You can't possibly be expected to do this for every location you want to target locally can you?  (Bryan - As far as I am aware you can no longer sign up for a Google places account correct? Its all Google + Local? )

2 - Is it even worth doing local SEO or is it even possible if your keywords do not lend themselves to a local focus in the SERP? ( Ex. car accident lawyer is a local "tinted" keyword you will get the 7pack because people need lawyers near them. One of our keywords "patient intake forms" will never probably yield a 7 pack. ) But they still want to target a local area, does this make sense?

Thanks for your input. Would it change the equation if it turns out they actually are looking to do everything remotely and do not want local traffic to their address? I clarified a few things and it turns out they have a location for various internal things but arent actually taking sales or anything at the local address. Local SEO still valuable?

That is part of the problem, they have target markets but they don't have locations in those markets. They are located in Pittsburgh, however they have a location in Erie and  would like to target other regions like NY. I believe they receive at least part of their clients to their office. Im not sure how well Google related Erie PA tp Pittburgh, but could they simply optimize their site for Pittsburgh with an address in Erie and then they would show up in national results everywhere else?

Been getting into Local SEO a bit but still not completely up to speed on a few things. Would appreciate any input by experienced local SEO's to any parts of this:

Ill ask my broader questions within the context of an example. I have a client who is a part of a keyword niche that isn't exactly what Google might consider "local". What i mean by this is that if you are a car accident lawyer and you type this into Google Google with spit out local results because it seems to know which terms are searched for with intent to find local results.

This client makes essentially medical form software which I dont get any local results for when I search for their keywords. But they do have a local focus as in they have an address in a city which is a target market. The client told me they are looking to target other markets nationally as well down the road. However they don't have brick and mortar locations for these other cities so I am under the impression that it wouldn't be something we could target locally.

This brings up a strange question in my mind though - if you need an address for a physical location  for each city you want target...if you want to target the whole country locally, you would need to have a location in every city? Is there any way to target local focus without purchasing a new office in every city you target? Or can you target a state with one office etc or is Google bond things down to cities or understood regions? Does it sound like this company should even be doing local?

The last part to this is whether or not there is any way (tool?) to figure out what local areas are searching for you keywords? Why doesn't Google allow us to use the Keyword Search Tool to see traffic etc for more than just a nation or the globe? What I would love to see is, which cities get the most traffic for X keyword term and have the lowest competition. Then it might justify having to buy some Regis office in a random location. I feel like this doesn't exist but maybe some of you have some ideas to direct me...