By: SEOYug11 January 2018
Using the appropriate keyword helps you in getting amplified search engine traffic, as well as, optimizing your site with suitable keywords can assist you in getting a higher rank in SERPs.
A keyword is a fundamental element, on which every online business must focus while starting to optimize its website or blog. Now, we will discuss the most fundamental concept of SEO, i.e., "keyword."
We have seen that on a website, some of the posts get higher rankings in search engine results, while the remaining posts can't be seen at the top of the search results. The posts that come on top have something right in them. The main thing to understand here is that there's only a machine or algorithm that looks for some specific signals to rank the content accordingly.
Let's discuss some of the basic terminologies first :
Keyword : Keyword is a particular phrase that drives traffic to a specific URL. While performing SEO, Keyword is a specific word/phrase that we target, that's why it is also known as the "target keyword."
Position : Position, i.e., abbreviated as Pos. is basicallythe ranking of the specific keyword in Google Search Listings. You should make a target to get ranking on the first page of Google for your defined target keyword, i.e., Pos. should be in between 1 to 10.
Volume : The volume describes you the amount or population of people who're looking for that specific keyword in a particular month. It is an important aspect of SEO because if you're doubtful about a term that whether it will be popular or not, Google's data will let you know anyhow.
Short Tail Keywords : Short tail keywords are 1-3 words.
Long Tail Keywords : these are comparatively more specific keywords that are generally three words or longer.
All words as well as phrases that are called as "keywords" because they have a significant number of search results per month.Long tail keywords are more beneficial, as you can drive more targeted traffic and the chances of ranking on the first page get amplified.
What is the importance of keywords from an SEO perspective?
Now that you have understood the basic concept regarding keywords, we can talk about a little more. When we perform "SEO" to a web-page or a blog post, we get an option to define some specific targeted keywords. Such a keyword is called a Meta_keyword. Nowadays, the search engine platforms have turned very smart; they auto-detect keywords and rank pages on their own. Google has already clarified that search listings won't be judged by considering meta keywords.
It is a right decision by Google. Let's discuss it using an example. For instance, if an article on my blog includes meta keywords like fashion tips, outfits, etc. Then someone who would be searching for these keywords would be landed on my blog post. He may find nothing useful over there and leave. It will be increasing the bounce rate of my website. That's why meta keywords are not significantly useful.
How to Begin with Keyword Research?
Keyword research is a process to find an appropriate keyword for your blog post. This step is essential if you intend to make your website or blog successful in a small duration. There are many ways through which you may find keywords and perform keyword research. There are a number of online tools available that introduces you to the relevant keywords as well as allow you keep an eye on your competitors' work.
You can also find keywords through Google Search. Google auto-suggests a search query when you begin to type something. You can build a list of keywords by using this technique smartly.
After finding all the suitable keywords, your target is to createa Search Engine Optimized article using your target keywords.
You can go with the following information to understand that ways to target keywords on a specific post.
Keyword Density & Keyword Placement
Keyword density is a complicated topic. On the basis of long tail or short tail targeted keywords, you get to manage a general percentage of keyword density. When bots come to your page, they can definethe particular keywords a web-page should rank for from the keyword density. Targeting the keywords is very essential, but one should avoid generating "keyword stuffing." Keyword stuffing is the overuse of keywords on any specific page. It will eventually harm your ranking. Keyword density for your main targeted keyword shouldn't be more than 2% in a particular article. Preferably try to keep it in between 1-1.5%.
Including with the primary keyword, you should include some related terms also which arecalled LSI keywords. You must be available with the fact that you can target more than one keywords for your post or page, but we suggest to you to keep it less than three. If your article is high in quality, then you will be indirectly ranked for associated long tail keywords. So be cautious while using the keywords and make sure keyword stuffing doesn't happen.
What does keyword stuffing do ?
Overusing the keywords make the Google bots alert in a way that you're "spamming" a post by stuffing it with irrelevant keywords. Google will take it as if you intend to trick the system. Your site may get penalized because of it by Google. So be attentive while selecting the number of keywords you use while optimizing.
Meta Titles, Meta Descriptions & Headings
While optimizing a particular post or site, just keep in mind to include the keyword in the title also. By doing this, the title generated by you will start to appear among the titles that are being shown in search engines. Such a title is called Meta Title.
Similarly, you can write a small description for viewers to let them see what they will find after opening your site. This description generally includes around 300 characters and known as Meta Description. Including a relevant meta description will give more insight regarding your page or post to the search engine bots. We recommend you to use your targeted keyword in the meta description also.
Useful SEO tip: Avoid using a number or numbers in your permalink (domain.com/4-methods-to-do-better-SEO) because in the upcoming years or months, if you intend to update the article by adding or subtracting any point, then the previous permalink won't be accurate.
In a nutshell, just opt for a few suitable keywords relevant to your article, and then prepare a post by focussing on all the explained points. Make sure you take care of the keyword density and avoid keyword stuffing. If you follow all the necessary points, your site will appear at the top in search engines in no time.