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Keyword Density

Keyword density is the percentage that the target keywords make-up relative to the total text on a page, it is where Search Engine Optimization strategies were at a few years ago. Readers may remember getting suckered into doorway pages where keywords were repeated hundreds of times in the page title and body text. Because keyword density is an on-page factor it is too easy for website owners to manipulate so it carries much less weight nowadays.

Checking the top ten pages for popular search terms using a keyword density analysis tool <http://www.keyworddensity.com/> reveals densities ranging from zero to around 15% for the body text. The only place where keyword density plays a significant role is for searches for uncompetitive keywords. Website owners should concentrate on writing good, themed copy rather than trying to fulfil a certain quota of keywords on a page.

Keyword Stuffing

Keyword stuffing is the excessive use of keywords in either the text of a page or within certain 'hidden' HTML elements. In particular the Page Title, images' Alternative Text (ALT), hidden Form fields and Meta tags are all candidates for keyword stuffing as they are not directly visible to the end user but may be read by search engines. In response to keyword stuffing, search engines have improved algorithms to detect the excessive use of keywords or to only use keyword information in conjunction with other factors such as hyperlinks. Keyword stuffing can even get a website banned, this is usually through a competitor reporting the site for overloading or spamming.

Keyword Density

Keyword Stuffing

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