Integrating keywords into website content is one way in which SEO can be applied. The trick is getting the keyword density percentage correct in order to best optimise a website. The following takes a look at some SEO keyword density tips.
SEO & Keyword Density
SEO is all about being ranked on the first page or top 10 of a search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing etc.) Keywords and their use are an essential component of search engine optimisation (SEO). Keyword density is all about the amount of searchable target words and phrases on individual web pages. Keyword density requires balance. There is a fine line between having too much, enough or too few keywords on a single web page that could make a distinctive and significant difference in where a site is ranked on search engines.
Search engines require a specific keyword density in order to locate or "index" a web page with the use of "spiders" or "crawlers". A web page is not likely to be ranked highly or displayed where an internet user can find it on a search engine results page (SERP) if the keyword density is not effective enough.
How to Calculate Keyword Density
Calculating keyword density can be done in the following ways:
- Establish the total word count of a body of content on a web page - e.g.: 250 words
- Calculate how many times a target keyword is used on the web page - e.g.: 10 keywords
- Divide the number of keywords (10) used by the total word count (250)
- Multiply the answer (0.4) by 100 to calculate the keyword density percentage (4%)
SEO Keyword Density Tips
With all content that is to be displayed on a website's pages, keyword density is essential. Keyword density is quite literally your ticket to the best search engine ranking that you can get.
Some SEO keyword density tips include:
- Keyword density percentage - what percentage keyword density should be is seemingly up for debate amongst many in the industry of SEO. A keyword density percentage of between 3 and 5 % is considered effective. At least one web page with this keyword density percentage is likely to rank well on any of the major search engines. A high keyword density will likely annoy internet readers, as well as be perceived by search engines as spam.
- Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) - achieving a high ranking in search engines can also be done by having a low keyword density. LSI makes use of words that are strongly related to a target or main keyword and used at random throughout content. LSI then functions as a substitute for the main or target keywords, which would've been used over and over again within content text.
- Keyword usage in title and headings - target keywords should always be used in the main title of any content displayed on a web page. When search engines scan content, these keywords are easily found much quicker than if they were located further down a body of text.
- Keyword usage as the last word of a body of text
- Keyword usage in a hyperlink - keywords can be incorporated in hyperlinks without contributing to SEO overkill (i.e.: overdoing content with keywords or keyword stuffing).
- Submit keywords to search engines as well as use within the body content of a web page. The same keywords that are used in content should also promote a website on search engines.
- Choose relevant keywords and phrases - search engines scan and choose keywords that appear to be most dense on a web page. Keywords chosen should not be too generalised, vague or highly competitive as this may attract more non - targeted traffic than it will actual clients or customers.
In Conclusion
Keyword density is all about getting a website "found" on a SERP. The easier and more effectively a web page or website can be found by a search engine, the higher its rankings. Getting the keyword density correct on a web page is a key component for achieving optimal business growth and search engine visibility.
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