Beginners Keyword Density

[Seamaster]

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I have a few beginners questions regarding keyword density.

What % would you recommend?

Do you include alt, title and meta data in the count?

If you have a key word such as 'red car' would 'red cars' be considered the same of a different key word?

Thanks.

[Dazza30]

I have a few beginners questions regarding keyword density.

What % would you recommend?

Do you include alt, title and meta data in the count?

If you have a key word such as 'red car' would 'red cars' be considered the same of a different key word?

Thanks.

Hi Seamaster

I work to a keyword density of between 2-5%, but im no expert different people may have different opinions on this, as for 'red car' and 'red cars' the words car and cars will be seen by search engines as different words, the reason i say this is because i see a difference with phone and phones.

So if i was using those words id make sure each appeared in around 2-5% of the page text.

[Dazza30]

Do you include alt, title and meta data in the count?

I think keywords in alt tags are included in the overall %, but im nearly 100% sure meta data isnt, anyway just keep your meta tags precise to your sites topic dont stuff them with repetitive keywords.

[Seamaster]

Thanks. Better remove some keywords! Am currently at about 10%

[kcheung]

3-8% is apparently standard.

but according to our SEO team, keyword density isn't as important as before, the usual 'relevent content and lots of quality links' prevails.

[Seamaster]

the usual 'relevent content and lots of quality links' prevails.

How does google determine if content is relevant?

[nick_idbrokers]

The google algo appears to be quite complex when it comes to kwrds now and it aims to appear as near human as is possible with its approach, so from this point of view just read you copy and look at your website and see if it makes sense to you as a human being and you won't be far off the mark. I would like to stress that this is based on my experience and some research and wouldn't claim to be a any kind of Search Engine god at all. Just make your keywords relevant to the content, and remember that theres more than one search engine and other search engines need to be considered as well, personally I would say a keyword density of between 4% and 6% would be about right. You could try maybe making the ocassional keyword bold say, or using appropriate H1 - H2 Tags etc, a lot of this kind of work is still "suck it and see". So experiment and be prepared to put in some hours to get it to work right, thats why the top people in this business charge so much....it takes time.
....THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS, PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME A HARD TIME IF YOU DISAGREE...JUST CORRECT ME FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.
Disclaimer 09 AFF4U

[Jack Russell]

I have a few beginners questions regarding keyword density.

What % would you recommend?

Do you include alt, title and meta data in the count?

If you have a key word such as 'red car' would 'red cars' be considered the same of a different key word?

Thanks.

From an on site SEO perspective, consistency and placement of your keywords are important. Spider read a page top to bottom left to right. Therefore your major keywords should be consistent from your Meta tags all the way down to your footer page. Consistency in Syntax as well a prominence. Interlinking your site with keyword text links not only helps navigation of your site but it improves your keyword density.

There is much discussion in regard to the keyword density as to what is considered a non spam factor. Each page should have about 350-500 words per page with a keyword density of no more than 7-10%. Keyword density is also considered in your graphic alt text as well as hyperlinks.

Generally speaking, if your keyword looks stuffed, it is.

Basic On site SEO Factors:

Title Tag ( with Keyword)
Meta Description ( Consistent with Title Tag)
Meta Keywords ( Consistent with Title tag and Description)
H1 Tags ( with Keyword)
Graphic Alt Text ( with Keyword)
Keyword Hyperlinks
Keyword Density in body text
Keyword in Menu Links
Footer Page with Keyword Text Links

[Seamaster]

Thanks for the replies.

Keyword in Menu Links
Footer Page with Keyword Text Links

Can you elaborate on these two please?

[nick_idbrokers]

Thanks for the replies.



Can you elaborate on these two please?

Keywords in menulink - make the menu item names relevant keywords rather than say "page 1" or "another page" - so if you have a fashion site for example menu item 1 = "T Shirts" menu item 2 = "Designer Jeans" etc etc

Footer links - create a footer which will be on each page of your site with links to either external sites that are relevant with keywords in the links, or even internal links to your own site with keywords in the links. So something like this....

<a href="http://www.badeye.co.uk" title="emo t shirts and music merchandise" target="_parent">BADEYE</a>

[Seamaster]

Another question:

Say if I am going after two keywords: 'fast blue car' & 'slow blue car'.

The phrase 'fast blue car' makes up 5% of my content and the phrase 'slow blue car' make up another 5%. This would mean the phrase 'blue car' makes up a lot more than 5%.

Would google think my page was spam/keyword stuffed as it has a keyword phrase that is more than 5%?

[trooperbill]

yah 2 - 5% sounds right tho if theres not much content on a page it can be higher, this is all covered in the basic seo starter guide from google.

[Seamaster]

Another question:

Say if I am going after two keywords: 'fast blue car' & 'slow blue car'.

The phrase 'fast blue car' makes up 5% of my content and the phrase 'slow blue car' make up another 5%. This would mean the phrase 'blue car' makes up a lot more than 5%.

Would google think my page was spam/keyword stuffed as it has a keyword phrase that is more than 5%?

Ideas anyone?

[trooperbill]

dont worry about it, surely you really want to be ranked for car?

mark

[Seamaster]

dont worry about it, surely you really want to be ranked for car?

No that was just an example.

So I shouldnt worry about what % keywords are used?