Keywords are the words or phrases that people type into a search engine when looking for something. They help with SEO by telling the search engine what your page is about so that it can show it to people who are searching for that thing.
In other words, it’s an issue of what is relevant — you want to make sure that the page you’re showing in search pertains very closely to the topic or problem being searched.
How many keywords for SEO?
You might wonder, how many keywords should I use for SEO? The answer is not as simple as you might think. It depends on a few factors, such as the length of your page and how many other keywords are competing for that spot.
In general, though, you should start with three or four industry-relevant keywords and try to use each keyword at least twice throughout a page or post. That said, what’s most important is how you use your keywords. They should be in headings and with bold or linked text throughout the page so that they stand out to both readers and search engines.
Keywords & Intent
Keyword density (the number of times a keyword appears on the page) is no longer as important as it once was — the quality of the keyword carries far more significance than quantity. You’ll want to choose keywords that are actually being searched in Google and Bing.
Free tools like Google AdWords Keyword Planner can help, or paid tools like Moz Keyword Explorer can help expand your list. Of course, SEO professionals are perhaps the best resource to help identify the right focus keywords for your content.
It’s also important to consider the intent behind a search when choosing keywords. For example, someone searching for “buy puppies near me” is likely further along in the buying cycle than someone who just searches for “puppies.” The former keyword would be more valuable to a business selling puppies, while the latter might be of more interest to a blog about dog breeds.
You can also use keyword research to help you come up with ideas for new content, by seeing what people are searching for that isn’t already being covered on your site. This is how many SEO professionals find new topics to write about — and how you can, too.
Keywords & the Customer Journey
As we suggested, keywords are different depending on where the customer is in their journey, i.e. buying process. If someone is looking for information, they are farther from a purchase decision than someone using words like “emergency,” “near me” or “open now.”
Another key point that is only natural — the content on your page should match the intent of the keyword.
Consider the following example. You arrive at a used car dealer and the first words out of the salesperson’s mouth are, “Ready for the paperwork?” You would run the other way!
The page content is the same; match your message to the point of the process where your prospect finds themself when they arrive at your site. Move along with them on the journey and you will convert more leads into customers.
Minneapolis SEO Services
If you’re looking for help with your website’s SEO, Snap can help. From keyword research to optimizing your website for search engines, we can do it all. We are a reputable company that will help you achieve results without breaking the bank.
Do you still have questions about how many keywords you should use? Give us a call, we’re always happy to chat!