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Ever tried to impress someone with your knowledge about SEO and ended up sounding like you’re speaking in tongues? You’re not alone. The world of SEO is filled with jargon, but today we’re demystifying one of those terms: meta keywords. Spoiler alert: they aren’t as mystical as they sound.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about meta keywords, from their definition to their relevance in today’s SEO landscape. And, yes, we’ll keep it light and professional, with a sprinkle of humor to keep you entertained. Let’s dive in!
- What meta keywords are
- The history and evolution of meta keywords in SEO
- How search engines use meta keywords
- The current relevance of meta keywords
- Best practices for using meta keywords (if at all)
Understanding Meta Keywords
Definition
Meta keywords are a type of meta tag that appear in the HTML code of a webpage. They are used to provide search engines with information about the content of the page. Essentially, they are a list of keywords that webmasters want their page to be associated with.
History and Evolution
In the early days of the internet, search engines like AltaVista and Infoseek relied heavily on meta keywords to understand the content of a webpage. This was before the era of sophisticated algorithms and advanced crawling capabilities. Webmasters would stuff their meta keyword tags with relevant (and often irrelevant) terms to rank higher in search results.
The Decline of Meta Keywords
As search engines evolved, so did their ability to understand and rank content. Google, in particular, led the charge in de-emphasizing meta keywords as a ranking factor. In 2009, Matt Cutts, then head of Google’s Webspam team, announced that Google does not use the keywords meta tag in web ranking. This was a significant shift that signaled the decline of meta keywords’ importance.
How Search Engines Use Meta Keywords
Current Usage
Today, major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo do not use meta keywords as a ranking factor. They have moved towards more sophisticated signals such as content quality, backlinks, user experience, and engagement metrics.
Why Meta Keywords Became Obsolete
The primary reason for the decline of meta keywords is keyword stuffing. Webmasters abused the meta keywords tag by overloading it with keywords, leading to spammy and irrelevant search results. Search engines had to adapt to provide users with more accurate and valuable information.
Meta Keywords and Minor Search Engines
While major search engines ignore meta keywords, some minor search engines and directory sites might still consider them. However, their influence on overall SEO strategy is negligible.
The Current Relevance of Meta Keywords
To Use or Not to Use?
Given that major search engines do not consider meta keywords, their relevance is minimal. However, including them won’t harm your SEO efforts, as long as they are not stuffed with irrelevant terms. They can serve as a way to organize your keyword strategy internally.
Best Practices for Meta Keywords
If you decide to use meta keywords, here are some best practices:
- Limit the number of keywords to 10-15.
- Ensure keywords are relevant to the page content.
- Avoid keyword stuffing.
- Use variations of your main keywords.
Conclusion
In summary, meta keywords were once a cornerstone of SEO but have since become largely obsolete due to search engine advancements. While they can still be used for internal organization and minor search engines, their impact on SEO rankings is minimal. Focus on creating high-quality content, improving user experience, and building authoritative backlinks for better SEO results.
FAQs
Are meta keywords still used by search engines?
No, major search engines like Google and Bing do not use meta keywords as a ranking factor.
Should I include meta keywords in my webpages?
Including meta keywords won’t harm your site, but their impact on SEO is minimal. Focus on other SEO factors instead.
What is keyword stuffing?
Keyword stuffing is the practice of loading a webpage with keywords or numbers in an attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking in search results. It leads to a poor user experience and can result in penalties from search engines.
What are better alternatives to meta keywords for SEO?
Focus on high-quality content, user experience, authoritative backlinks, and proper on-page SEO techniques like title tags and meta descriptions.
Do any search engines still use meta keywords?
Minor search engines and some directory sites might still use them, but their impact on overall SEO is negligible.