How Many Keywords To Use For SEO: Google’s Perspective

Hey there, SEO enthusiasts! Let’s talk about a question that’s been buzzing around since the dawn of search engines: How many keywords should you use for SEO? Google has some thoughts on this, and they’ve evolved over time. Let’s break it down, looking at both old and new updates.

The Old School Approach

Back in the day, keyword stuffing was all the rage. People would cram as many keywords as possible into their content, thinking it was the secret sauce to ranking high. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t great for readers, and Google caught on pretty quick.

Google’s shifting focus

Over the years, Google has shifted its focus from keywords to user intent and content quality. Here’s how things have changed:

1. Quality Over Quantity Google’s Panda update in 2011 was a game changer. It emphasized high-quality content over keyword-stuffed pages. The message was clear: Write for humans, not search engines.
2. Semantic Search With the Hummingbird update in 2013, Google got better at understanding context. This meant you could focus on natural language and related terms instead of repeating the same keyword over and over.
3. RankBrain and AI In 2015, RankBrain introduced machine learning to search. Now, Google could better understand the meaning behind queries, making exact keyword matching less important.

So, How Many Keywords Should You Use?

Here’s the thing: There’s no magic number. Google’s John Mueller has said, “There’s no minimum number of words or keywords… it’s really just a matter of making sure that you have enough content on the page to make it worthwhile.”

Best Practices for Keyword Usage

1. Focus on Topics, Not Just Keywords Instead of obsessing over specific keywords, think about covering topics comprehensively. This approach aligns with Google’s preference for in-depth, valuable content.
2. Use natural language. Write in a way that feels natural. If you can read your content aloud and it sounds like a normal conversation, you’re on the right track.
3. Include Related Terms Use synonyms and related phrases. This helps Google understand the context of your content better.
4. Don’t Forget Long-Tail Keywords These longer, more specific phrases can help you target niche audiences and often have less competition.
5. Keep user intent in mind. Make sure your content actually answers the questions your target audience is asking.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to keywords and SEO, quality trumps quantity every time. Focus on creating valuable, well-written content that serves your audience’s needs. If you do that, you’ll naturally include the right keywords in the right amounts, and Google will take notice.

Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep up with Google’s updates, but don’t lose sight of what really matters: creating great content for real people.