How Many Keywords Can My Website Rank For?

How Many Keywords Can My Website Rank For?

Aug 19

For website owners who are looking to get their sites to the top of the Search Engine leader boards, understanding keywords and keyword usage is a must. In order to know the ideal number of keywords to use, you must first have a bit of knowledge about them. A keyword is not just a single word, it is a term, a phrase and sometimes just a single word that consumers use when searching the internet. These are very specific words and phrases.

Search engines use algorithms to determine the rank of a site based on a number of factors; one of which are keywords. Using just the right amount can spell out success for your business while too few or too many can mean certain doom. A person, when searching, will be very specific about the information they are seeking. Some savvy website owners know that the key to keywords is to make good use of both the long tail and short tail keyword phrases. A long tail phrase will consist of more than 3 words and short tail keywords no more than 3.

You not only need to know the optimum number of keywords to use in your content, but you must also distribute them throughout the page. Search engines are extremely smart and you need to be sure to use the keywords in a coherent fashion without “stuffing” that is to say that you cannot over-use them and you cannot use them in the wrong context just to get them in there. This actually has a negative outcome in terms of getting your site ranked.

You should come up with a main keyword for your site and optimize around it. If you are clear about what product or service you want others to see or purchase, then the search engine algorithms can be very nice to you and your site. Any keywords that you use should be centered on your main website theme (or niche). So, how many keywords should be used?

Well, the keyword should always appear in the title you use for the blog, article or site content. It should appear in the first sentence of your piece and as close to the beginning as possible. It should also appear in your article heading. You should include one keyword at the end of your article or blog post; this should ideally be located in the last sentence and perhaps even be the final words.

Typically, a good number to use is a 2 percent density.  Many article databases will not even accept your work if there is more than 2 percent. So, what is a 2 percent keyword density? If your piece is 500 words long, 2 percent is 10 times. If you write more than 500 words, as most people do, then 10 is a great number to have in an article that falls somewhere within the 500- to 600-word range.

Shoot for keyword phrases within the 3 to 5 word range. These are ideal. Be very specific to your niche when choosing them. And make use of free tools available to find out whether you’ve made a good choice. Stay within 1 to 2 percent with keyword density. And finally, target just one or two specific keywords for your entire site as using too many will result in confusing the search engines. Every page of your site should be optimized to one central keyword phrase. If you follow these simple guidelines, you will enjoy much success.