Optimal Keyword Density

[Ms N]

Hi,

I'm new to this whole SEO copywriting stuff, so excuse me if this is a silly question :o

What is considered a good level of density? (do we speak in % here? :cool:)

If I do this:

Keyword phrase in title
Keyword phrase in sub-title
Keyword phrase once in every paragraph after that?

How does that sound? Is it over-doing it?

On say a 400 word page, idealy how many times should my kw appear?

Thank you for answering :)
Nicole

[Ms N]

No, more along the lines of how much is needed in order to achieve both: a kw rich article which is good enough for the engines and good quality copy.

Clearer now? :)

[AlexNewell]

Just write naturally for your readers and that is fine.

The notion of search engines wanting some % keyword density is WAY out of date.

It is quality content that matters not quantity of keywords

[cindybidar]

Keyword density is an out of date metric, but EzineArticles does track it and will reject an article if the density is 2% or higher.

[Ms N]

Isn't it funny that I have such an out dated notion, considering I'm a complete newbie... :p

[David Jackson]

Isn't it funny that I have such an out dated notion, considering I'm a complete newbie... :p

It's not your fault. Outdated and inaccurate information is constantly being propogated on the Internet.

David Jackson

[jkgourmet]

nice to hear this - I was still thinking it mattered. That said, one still should be using the keywords in the title and the first sentence (or at least first paragraph) of an article, correct?

And again in the signature box, with a link to the specific page on my site that discusses (sells) whatever was in those keywords, right?

I'm not sure what Nicole means by the subtitle - maybe the excerpt description?

[AlexNewell]

"That said, one still should be using the keywords in the title and the first sentence (or at least first paragraph) of an article, correct?

And again in the signature box, with a link to the specific page on my site that discusses (sells) whatever was in those keywords, right?"

I'd say so Jeanette because it makes good sense - it's just the using of keywords a certain number of times that is daft. Sometimes I'll use the keywords a lot and sometimes very little, it depends on the topic

The crucial use is the title tag and then the title of the article itself. I also make sure I use a category that fits and a pile of tags

I'm not sure what you mean by subtitle either - maybe what I'd call a subhead or section head?

:-)

[David Jackson]

I'm not sure what you mean by subtitle either.

A subtitle is simply a secondary or explanatory title. For example:

Title: How to Beat Your Competition

Subtitle: 21 Highly-Effective Ways to Out-Perform Your Competitors.

David Jackson

[AlexNewell]

Thanks for the clarification David - with so much terminology - title, title tag, subtitle, subhead, section head, it can get a little too much for my ADD.

:-)

[Ms N]

A subtitle is simply a secondary or explanatory title. For example:

Title: How to Beat Your Competition

Subtitle: 21 Highly-Effective Ways to Out-Perform Your Competitors.

David Jackson

That's exactly what I meant. Thanks David :)

[David Jackson]

Thanks for the clarification David - with so much terminology - title, title tag, subtitle, subhead, section head, it can get a little too much for my ADD. :-)

No problem, my friend.

I can see where it can get confusing. But for whatever reason, Internet Marketing terminology is second nature to me. :)

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

That's exactly what I meant. Thanks David :)

You're quite welcome, Ms N. When I read your post, I knew exactly what you meant. :)

David Jackson

[InesB]

To answer your question, I believe that a density of 1-2 % is good.
5-10% is too much in most cases just make sure you don’t repeat
the same words too many times.

I always use the following checklist:

1.Having keywords on the page.
2.Keywords in the domain name.
3.Keywords in the URL.
4.Keywords in H1, H2, H3 tags.
5.Keywords in bold, strong, italic, emphasis, and larger size.
6.Keywords in on site links and off site links. As long as your pages appear pretty natural, you won’t have much to worry about. Just write as you would normally write, make sure your keywords are in your title, URL, and perhaps the domain name, and get keyword-rich links back from relevant sites.

[HarryJackson]

Once i read some where formula of keyword density that is
Total Word Count: suppose 400
keyword uses: 12
density = (12*100)/400
Many o fmy SEO friends suggest that in your first 50 words many of the keywords must be include..Also keyword density is from 1 to 3% not more than that.