Balancing keyword density can be tricky. Keywords play an important role in optimizing your site and content. However, ranking high in the SERP (search engine results page) is more complicated than picking the right words for your page. In fact, it can penalize you, hurting your opportunity to rank in the SERP. Use GROWL’s guide to maximize your SEO ranking while balancing keyword density.
What is Keyword Density?
Keyword density is the number of times a keyword or phrase appears in your content or site. The density is typically calculated as a percentage, and search engines will use this number to help rank your content and site in the SERP.
Keyword Stuffing
As marketers continue to learn and adapt to SEO algorithms, they continue to adapt to a search engine’s users. Search engines like Google want to eliminate frustration for the user and provide the results they are looking for. Users likely won’t find what they are looking for in an article or site stuffed full of keywords compared to a site with organized, value-adding content. Therefore, Google and other search engines will punish content stuffed with keywords to better serve their customers.
An excellent way to avoid keyword stuffing and still use keywords relevant to your topic is to use keyword variants. These are similar to your target keyword but typically break down your keyword into a more specific variant. For example, if you are writing a blog with the target keyword “rottweiler temperament,” you can use variants like “rottweiler behavior,” “rottweiler obedience,” and “rottweiler training.” A great place to look for variants is at the bottom of the Google search page under feedback, where other searches are suggested.
Your Strategy for 2023
Today, search engines are suggesting a keyword density of 0.05%. This is a lot different from when the stuffing strategy showed proven results! The calculation is not an exact percentage; remember, other factors go into the SERP ranking. Your geographic, page authority and external links all play an essential role in your ranking, not to mention the quality of content and the users’ actions. Nevertheless, an easy way to calculate your keyword density is to take the number of times a keyword appears and divide it by the total number of words in the copy. Then multiply that number by 100 to get your percentage.
A good strategy to improve your SERP ranking is to remember: always write for the reader. Use keywords appropriately to give them the best information possible that answers any questions they may have. Your copy should always flow nicely and have a natural progression for the reader. Add keywords where they fit naturally.
Lastly, consider using tools such as SEO Book Keyword Density Analyzer, WordPress SEO Post Optimizer, and Yoast SEO Plugin to optimize your percentage of keywords and get the best results.
Do you need help creating content that optimizes keyword density for your ranking on the SERP? Contact the GROWL Team today!