what counts as a keyword?

Discussion in 'Keywords' started by steve_gts, Mar 28, 2006.

  1. #1
    Hello all,

    I'm having some problems getting a site high in G. I am looking at my keyword density as one possible issue. In have a keyword density for my main word of 6.63% which is about optimum (as I understand it). However if I add the alt and meta tags to that it comes out at 9.22 which I believe is too high.

    Does anyone know what G looks at when looking at keyword density?

    Thanks
     
    steve_gts, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  2. angelfire

    angelfire Peon

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    #2
    on page optimizing is a trial and error. take a look at your competitors keyword density and you will have an idea on what you can do.
     
    angelfire, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  3. Calivad

    Calivad Peon

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    #3
    I suggest measure your competitor's density. However, I don't think density to be too much important and some little studies I did come to tell me the normal is no more than 3%
     
    Calivad, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  4. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #4
    Google doesn't use the metatag, but does use the alt tags. Keyword density can vary by sector, but even 6.63% seems very high for google and you might be getting hit with an over optimization penalty. I would forget about percentages and concentrate on if what you are saying sounds natural - but I think anything over 3% might be asking for trouble.

    The way to rank well in google is getting relevant backlinks. You can have perfect on page optimization but will never rank high for a competitive term without backlinks - at least that has been my experience with high rankings.
     
    mjewel, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  5. zokiii

    zokiii Peon

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    #5
    keyword density about 3-6 % is good, over that it could be trouble.
    Relevant backlinks gives you good ranking, and onpage optimization gives you visits.

    So work on backlinks .
     
    zokiii, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  6. seowebguide

    seowebguide Active Member

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    #6
    every page and keyword market are different beasts. Learn your market and what works there.
     
    seowebguide, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  7. steve_gts

    steve_gts Active Member

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    #7
    Thanks all, I have already looked at the backlinks in some detail, and I have more good quality links than the competitors who are ranking above me, hence focussing more on the onpage side of things now.

    One example is a competitor who has about 25 links listed in G (all directories) is ranking above me when I have 195 listed and mine are a mix of bought links, directories and a few natural ones. I also have 95% unique content on the site and a few more pages than they do. I'm running out of ideas what else to try!

    Incidentally I just checked them out for the same keyword and they have 9.12 density where mine is 9.22.

    Anyone got any ideas what I am missing here ?
     
    steve_gts, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  8. WebFreedom

    WebFreedom Peon

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    #8
    Hi Steve,

    If you're focusing on on-page factors, make sure to consider the following:

    1. Your "base" (or main) keyword should appear once as close to the beginning (top left) of your page as possible, at least once in your main content section, and once as close to the end (bottom right) of your page as possible.

    2. Use bold or italics at least once with your keywords, but don't overdo it - make sure it looks natural and flows with your content.

    3. Include your keywords in an H1 heading.

    HTH,
    Sam
     
    WebFreedom, Mar 28, 2006 IP
  9. redhits

    redhits Notable Member

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    #9
    Google is a parser bot! so everything counts as a backlinks! the keywords from your out going links for example are also counted!
    Also it's counted if you add a description like this
    <!-- KEYWORDX KEYWORDY -->
    They are also counted keywords in the ALT tags!

    Some webmasters did spam in the <noframe> or the <noscript> ...
    hidden text also count


    Search Engines are parsers! this means that are eating all your pages even <keyword> count! they are just counting the keywords on your pages!
    you must to known some programming to findout that is nearly imposibile for Google Bot to act like a web browser, and not like a simple parser. Practicaly google see your pages, as you see it when you open notepad! Keep that in mynd! Google "see you in notepad", not in the internet explorer!
     
    redhits, Mar 28, 2006 IP