Keyword Density: Frequently Asked Questions - Do different search engines treat keyword densities differently?
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It’s generally thought by search engine optimization experts that Yahoo and MSN Search tolerate heavier keyword densities per page than industry leader Google. As with all areas of SEO, there is some debate on this issue, and counter examples are very likely to be found. Generally, however, Google is less tolerant of heavy keyword usage than Yahoo or MSN.
Is there a formula for keyword density?There is no hard and fast formula for keywords but it’s probably best to keep the keyword percentage below five percent of the total number of words on the page. Any more words could potentially trigger a keyword stuffing filter. Too many keywords in any on page copy can also work against the page’s readership retention and its conversion rate from visitor to paying customer. After all, the purpose of a Web page, for any commercial website, is to convert visitors to customers. For an informational website, the goal is to have as many visitors as possible read the available information. Badly written copy precludes those things from happening.
Is keyword density different from keyword placement?Keyword density refers to the amount of keywords used on the page, in relation to the total number of words on the page in question. Keyword placement refers to the location of the words on a Web page. That placement could be in the title tags, links, headings, main body of copy, or anywhere else where wording appears on a Web page.
Does the order of keywords make a difference?Some SEO experts believe that placing keywords higher on the page gives that page a boost in the search rankings. That opinion is not shared by all search engine observers, however. In general, it’s better to sprinkle the keywords throughout the on page copy in a normal writing fashion. Natural sounding content is much easier to read, and could even score as well in the search rankings as any special placements on the page.
Can keywords help as link anchor text?Link anchor text is a common usage of keywords and has little effect on keyword density of the sending or receiving page. For purposes of SEO, link anchor text, comprised of the receiving page’s most important keywords, is probably more powerful than heavier use of keywords in on page copy. Keywords in link anchor text tell the search engines what the receiving page is about in terms of themes and topics. A form of keyword stuffing, that appears unnatural to the search engines, is the use of exactly the same keywords in all incoming link anchor text. Keywords and phrases are best mixed and matched, with several variations of link anchor text employed.
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