Keywords Vs KeyPhrases

[WebGomer]

Somebody shed some light here.

I know what keyword spaming is. But, if keywords are contained multiple times in in key-phrases, is that really the same?

For instance I will use these keywords: web,site,website,design,hosting

Vs

Keyphrases:website design and hosting,website design,futuristic website design,professional website design,

Would the words website and design now be considered keyword spam?

I have seen many people use TONS of phrases that repete keywords, although just once per phrase. One site comes to mind; the keywords "website" and "design" are listed 50 times in phrases where only the state has changed. Like: arizona website designer,california website designer,colorado website designer, etc. and gets top booking for some searches.

Just curious as I was told by a "professional" :nerd: not to do this.

Thanks bunches!

[Quadrille]

Don't worry about what tons of people do - they may all be wrong :)

You can use as many words of phrases you like, without necessarily doing harm, but there are two things to consider.

1. If you overdo it, your page will look pretty stupid - even if it gets a few extra visitors, they won't stay for long.

2. Most would advise not trying to make one page do too much. better to concentrate each page on a theme, and rely on good navigation to allow visitors to move quickly within the site. And again, the pages will be easier on the eye and much more logical for your visitors.

Like so much else in SEO, doing right by your human visitors is almost always the best SEO approach, too.

[Connie]

I think 2 phrases, 3 at the most work best . You should have other pages you need to optimize for other phrases. You should be able to work in individual words from a phrase as part of your text and still keep everything looking natural if your a writer.
Like so much else in SEO, doing right by your human visitors is almost always the best SEO approach, too.
As usual Q is right on IMHO.

[WebGomer]

Thanks

Keep in mind, I am referring to the key phrases in the keywords meta tag, not the words on the page :D

[Quadrille]

But they simply reflect what's on the page, don't they? :rolleyes:

In fact, most SEs currently ignore meta keyword tags - exactly because they've been so misused and abused over the years.

I still use them - you never know when things will change again - but if you do use them, best to use them properly. With modern methods, Google (et al) would know instantly if they did not echo page content.

[g1smd]

I wouldn't be surprised if Google gave the meta keywords tag a "spam rating" from 0 to 10 as one factor in their algo, even if they didn't actually use and index the words themselves.

[JohnC]

I agree with the above and find that since the Keyword Meta is of sure limited use nowdays, its best not to take chances and only use the words once. That Tag is almost useless today so I would not spend much time thinking about it.

[Connie]

Keep in mind, I am referring to the key phrases in the keywords meta tag
Didn't realize that from your original question. Q is right what ever is in the key word meta tag should be reflected on the page. G1 has raised an issue that I have thought about and agree with. SEs may not use the meta tag for ranking but it would be a good place to analyze your site for Spam.

Since Google in particular is on a Spam hunt I would be very careful about what I put in the key word meta tag.

[WebGomer]

That's good information. The last thing I want is to get booted from any SE - just too much work getting there in the first place.

Makes me wonder though, how this site I was looking at got that #1 spot on Google. Sure looks like keyword spamming to me. I do not know how long it has been at #1, or how long it might stay there though. :rolleyes:

Will the SEs see keywords that are in a form? Say, like in a dropdown menu? This would really help keep the page clean while getting relevant keyword saturation on the page.

:cheers:

[Quadrille]

I think keyword spamming in the meta tag is simply ignored - the spiders have a good laugh at the failed spamming, and scuttle off ...

Drop-down menus will not help; spiders ignore javascript.

The best way is to simply have plenty of relevant text, that employs (within reason) your targetted terms.

I go for good, relevant text - the kind of thing my visitors came for - while probably using fewer pronouns than I otherwise might. Once a page looks silly, you've overdone it.

If in doubt, don't add more keywords, add more text including keywords - a small but important difference.

[Connie]

I think keyword spamming in the meta tag is simply ignored
Do you have any evidence to support this?

Whether you are right or not I think it is bad advice to tell people to ignore key word spamming in the meta key word tag.

[Quadrille]

I don't know for sure; but the sheer number of sites that are otherwise OK that have long boring keyword tags ...

I do think SEs ignore them. I'm not saying that we should - as I've said above, things change, and they may come to be important again.

I also said that - should they choose to do so - Google can use KW tags to spot stupid spammers ... until then, they can laugh at them.

I agree that one post could be misinterpreted, but over several posts in this thread, I think I've covered all bases :)