SEO Meta Keywords
Meta keywords were once an essential part of on-page SEO, but their significance has greatly diminished over the years. As of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, major search engines, including Google, no longer use meta keywords as a ranking factor. In fact, Google officially announced in 2009 that they had stopped considering meta keywords for ranking purposes due to abuse and spam.
Here’s what you need to know about meta keywords:
- Definition: Meta keywords are an HTML meta tag located in the
<head>section of a webpage. They were originally designed to provide search engines with a list of relevant keywords or phrases that were directly related to the content of the page. - History: In the early days of SEO, webmasters would stuff meta keyword tags with a wide range of keywords, often unrelated to the page’s actual content, in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings. This led to the devaluation of meta keywords as a ranking factor.
- Current Status: Major search engines, including Google, no longer use meta keywords as a ranking signal. Instead, search engines rely on more sophisticated algorithms and signals to determine the relevance and quality of web pages.
- Focus on Other SEO Factors: While meta keywords are no longer relevant for SEO, there are many other on-page and off-page SEO factors that play a significant role in determining a web page’s ranking in search results. These factors include quality content, relevant keywords within the content, proper HTML structure, user experience, page load speed, mobile-friendliness, backlinks, and more.
- Best Practices: Instead of focusing on meta keywords, SEO practitioners should concentrate on best practices for on-page optimization, including keyword research, optimizing page titles and meta descriptions, creating high-quality content, and ensuring a positive user experience.
In summary, meta keywords are no longer a relevant or meaningful aspect of SEO. Instead, prioritize other SEO efforts that have a more significant impact on your website’s search engine rankings and overall visibility. Keep in mind that SEO best practices may evolve over time, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest industry trends and guidelines.