Search Engine Optimization Programs | SEO Tutorial Program

Keyword Density & SEO

Search engine spiders rely heavily on keywords and keyword density for deducing the page rankings. In other words, to a larger extent, how a page has been ranked in search results is influenced by the usage of keywords or key phrases in the page text. For better page ranking and webpage topping the search results, the page content must incorporate a definite keyword density, which is ideally must not be too high or not too less (the keyword density must fall within an optimal limit of better results). Setting the optimal keyword density is a major step in search engine optimization.

Keyword density is usually expressed in percentage and it denotes the frequency of keywords appearing in the given text. In fact, this is the way web designers interpret the arrangement of keywords in a webpage. For example, a keyword, appearing 6 times in a page of 100 words, the keyword density is 6%. 

For better search engine response, the keyword density must fall anywhere between 5-7%. In case of keyword phrases, the total density of the individual words in the phrase must also be within these limits. It should be kept in mind that anything less than 5% may miss the search engine completely, while more than 7% could be counterproductive. If the keyword density is too high, the search engines will consider it as spam and activates the spam filter on the particular webpage. If that happens, the Google will penalize the webpage and demote the website in its rankings. Such a fate can be really suicidal. Another disadvantage with too much keyword density is that it will spoil the readability of the webpage content.

Further, considering keyword density more specifically, the keyword frequency, as it occurs in the title and the first few parts of the webpage is crucial in influencing the search engine rankings. Search engines generally give more weight-age for keyword density at the top part of a webpage. Also, keywords in the title tag, those expressed in the <strong> font, and the keywords or key phrases featuring in the links to other pages, could influence search results phenomenally. But the basic rule applies here as well – not to over do with keyword density. It must be optimal.

To sum it up, keyword density is crucial for search engine optimization, but it is a walk on a tight rope as well. Care must be taken so that the keyword density falls within accepted limits, and not to spoil the webpage content to the extent of ruining its readability and inviting customer criticism. If that happens and the Google blacklists a website for over exploiting the search engine algorithms, it will be virtually impossible to win back the lost reputation. Better avoid it!