Is keyword density still useful or not?

Discussion in 'Keywords' started by hindlist, Jul 12, 2010.

  1. #1
    I am trying to optimize my site for search engines. I have looked some articles in this regard as i am still new for SEO. Now i am stuck up with the keyword density issue and have some doubts regarding this:-
    1) Is keyword density still useful for a website as some article authors say yes and some say that it is the thing of past.

    2) If at all it is useful then how much in percent shall i use in a web page.

    3) How many keywords should be a limit for using in meta tags.

    4) what should be the limit of the keyword (one word OR two words OR more)

    Thank you.
     
    hindlist, Jul 12, 2010 IP
  2. sevnrock

    sevnrock Peon

    Messages:
    241
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    1. Yes, it should match your primary keyword in the title tag to increase relevancy for the page.
    2. This is the problem. Don't base it on %, add keywords only when it makes sense. It's so annoying to see stupid keyword stuffing like: "Are you looking for Cheap Samsung HDTVs? I found some Cheap Samsung HDTVs the other day when I was looking for Cheap Samsung HDTVs."
    3. Include at least some variation in description. Keywords tag doesn't matter.
    4. ?
     
    sevnrock, Jul 12, 2010 IP
  3. Joshwinvp

    Joshwinvp Peon

    Messages:
    48
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    What sevnrock said is correct. Just write naturally and you should be fine. Quite frankly, you don't need the keyword density to be more than 1 or 2 percent really.
     
    Joshwinvp, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  4. digital29

    digital29 Peon

    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    It still useful, but only if you are using it right. The best density should be between 3-6%. NOT more
     
    digital29, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  5. hindlist

    hindlist Member

    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    41
    #5
    Thank you all seniors and juniors for the replies. What i understood is that it is certainly useful even today but only if used in a right way :).
     
    hindlist, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  6. HighRollerT

    HighRollerT Guest

    Messages:
    235
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Keyword density is still a major ranking factor.

    3-6% is optimum.

    And meta tags do not matter anymore but I still put them in anyhow....I use 5- 10 keywords

    Example....I had a site that was ranking 9th for its keywords. Well nowhere on the page was the keywords is text...it was only in the page title. So when I added keyword dense copy my rankings jumped a couple of spots.
     
    HighRollerT, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  7. sandy121

    sandy121 Peon

    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Well, I am telling from my little experience that Keyword Density is an obsolete concept of SEO in 2010. Can you give me proof in favor of your statement ' Keyword density is still a major ranking factor’? I will be glad to correct my SEO concepts if you can give me logical statistics in support of your statement.
     
    sandy121, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  8. Crimsonc

    Crimsonc Peon

    Messages:
    616
    Likes Received:
    15
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    Keyword density is absolutely not important these days. It is of course true you should use the keyword you're targeting in the Meta Tags and somewhere on the page, but trying to optimise for a certain percentage of keyword usage is a pointless exercise, I promise you.

    Check out this article and please note the quotes form Matt Cutts, Google's public face of Webmaster advice. His word is generally gospel - not to say he doesn't have vested interests in keeping certain things secret but if he says something is true it generally is.

    http://www.marketingwords.com/blog/?p=433
     
    Crimsonc, Jul 13, 2010 IP
  9. greenoro0

    greenoro0 Active Member

    Messages:
    435
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    70
    #9
    Are you asking about meta keywords density or Web-page Content keywords density?
     
    greenoro0, Jul 14, 2010 IP
  10. lilacor

    lilacor Member

    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    48
    #10
    1) Yes, I believe it still is, but not as imporatnt as before. Still, if you have a text from 300 words, for example, and you have used your main KWD just once it won't help you boost your rankings. You should try to use it at least 8-10 times, for instance.

    2) I have reached top 10 positions with both low and high KWD density, a whole bunch of other factors are much more decisive - unique content, relevancy and mostly link building. I have reached 10-11% KWD density and ranked in top 5 without getting into the sandbox, but don't try this :)

    3) They are not important at all. Probably 3-5 and try to use long-tails for better effect on rankings.

    4) Already answered above :) Also, I strongly recommend you to ALWAYS use META descriptions, not only for the snippets, but also for higher SERP positions. It's weird, but IMHO META descriptions are back to the game... they also help.

    Cheers!
     
    lilacor, Jul 14, 2010 IP
  11. upshurcreative

    upshurcreative Guest

    Messages:
    418
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    The various search engines consider keyword density as part of their search algorithm. Each search engine has a different mathematical equation regarding the density of keywords that is rewarded with higher search ranking placement. There is also a different level of tolerance between the different search engines as to the degree of density permitted before a penalty is imposed.
     
    upshurcreative, Aug 8, 2010 IP