How Many SEO Keywords Should I Use? The Definitive Guide

How many SEO keywords should I use? It’s the million-dollar question that every SEO enthusiast wants to know. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with the definitive guide. 

Before we dive in, let’s define what an SEO keyword is: a word or phrase people use to find what they’re looking for on search engines. Now, let’s get to the juicy stuff. 

How many keywords should you use per page? Spoiler alert: less is more. Focus on a few high-quality keywords per page and avoid creating multiple pages for each variation. Ready to optimize like a boss? Let’s go!

Why Are Keywords Important For SEO?

Keywords are like the GPS for search engines, guiding them to your website.

They provide context for your web pages and without them, search engines can’t determine which queries to rank your site for. Since the dawn of search engines, keywords have been the OGs of SEO, forming the foundation of ranking algorithms. In short, SEO without keywords is like a sandwich without the filling – it’s just not satisfying.

How Many SEO Keywords Should I Use Per Page for SEO?

Alrighty, now it’s time to figure out how many keywords to target per page. As a search engine marketer, your focus should be on one main keyword or keyphrase, along with two to three keyword variations on each individual page.

But if you’re scratching your head about which keyword to use as your main one, don’t worry – you’re not alone. For instance, the search term “ads on a car” has a bunch of variations, like “ads on the car”, “advert on car”, “advertisement on the car”, and so on. 

To choose the main keyword, you’ll need to do a bit of keyword research using a tool like Ahref’s or Google’s Keyword Planner. The key (see what I did there?) is to find keywords with high search volume and low competition.

Once you have your main topic and keyword, you can add two to three variations of that keyword. Remember, it’s not a good idea to target too many keywords on one page as it decreases the odds of ranking for your main keyword.

Plus, even if you’re targeting just one keyword, you’ll still end up ranking for other related keywords. (we’ll dive deeper into this later, so stay tuned).

How Many Keywords Can a Page Rank for?

Can a single page rank for more than one keyword? Absolutely! In fact, a single page can rank for hundreds of different keywords. But here’s the thing, you shouldn’t be intentionally targeting hundreds of keywords on a single page.

Take, for example, your website’s page about homemade pizza recipes. If the content is high-quality and focuses solely on that topic, it will naturally rank for several keywords related to homemade pizza, such as “best homemade pizza recipe”, “homemade pizza dough recipe”, and “easy homemade pizza recipe”. These keywords are called long-tail keywords and are simply more specific variations of your main keyword.

So, don’t worry about targeting every keyword under the sun on one page. Instead, focus on creating quality content that is relevant to your main keyword, and you’ll naturally rank for several other related keywords.

How Many Keywords Should You Focus On?

When it comes to keyword optimization, less is sometimes more. You want to aim for two to three keywords per page, including one main keyword and a couple of related ones.

Sure, you could try to cram a bunch of keywords into a short article, but then you run the risk of sounding like a robot with a thesaurus. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Instead, focus on spreading out your keywords in longer pieces of content, like a 2,000-word blog post. This way, you can give each keyword its time to shine without overwhelming your readers with jargon. 

Plus, the more keywords you can work in, the more chances you have of ranking high in the search engines. Just look at SEO Chatter, who managed to snag a first-page ranking for 3,461 keywords by using two to three related keywords on each page. Impressive, right?

But before you start throwing in every keyword you can think of, remember that good keyword research is key to successful SEO. That’s why I wrote a whole blog post and guide on the topic. 

Trust me, taking the time to research and thoughtfully place your keywords on the page is one of the fastest ways to improve your SEO game. And who doesn’t love a quick and easy win?

Should I Use the Same Keywords On Every Page?

Ah, the age-old question of whether you should use the same keywords on every page. The answer is a resounding NO. If you do, it’s like throwing your pages into the Hunger Games, forcing them to compete against each other for that coveted top spot on the search engine results page. And we all know how brutal the competition can be in those Games.

Using the same keywords on multiple pages can lead to a phenomenon called “keyword cannibalization,” which is like the SEO equivalent of a zombie apocalypse. Your pages start feasting on each other’s chances of ranking high, and pretty soon, your entire website is a graveyard of missed opportunities.

So, how do you prevent this disaster from happening? Keep track of the keywords you’re using on each page, my friend. You can use a spreadsheet or a notebook, but make sure you’re not targeting the same keywords on multiple pages. That way, Google won’t get confused about which page should rank highest for a certain query, and your website will remain a peaceful, zombie-free zone.

How Many Keywords Should Be On a Homepage?

Well, well, well. If you’re wondering how many keywords to target on your homepage, you’ve come to the right place! The answer may surprise you. 

The truth is, you shouldn’t try to target all of the keywords related to your products or services on your homepage. Why, you ask? 

Because your homepage is not a superhero with superpowers that can handle everything at once. Nope, it’s just a regular ol’ page like any other on your website.

So, instead of trying to be a jack of all trades, master of none, you should focus on the main product or service that your business is offering and optimize your homepage for those keywords. It’s better to be a master of one than a mediocre of many, my friend. 

Plus, you can always create individual pages for each product or service and optimize them for their respective keywords. It’s a win-win situation!

What Is the Ideal Keyword Density?

Alright, let’s talk about keyword density, baby! The ideal keyword density for your content is like the perfect amount of salt on your fries—not too much, not too little, but just right at 1-2% density.

Of course, the length of your content plays a role in this. Shorter content needs a higher density, while longer content can go easy on the seasoning.

But wait, there’s more! The thing is, search engines like Google don’t have a strict rules for keyword density. It’s like a jazz musician—every page and keyword is different and requires a unique approach. So, just write naturally, and use the keyword as many times as necessary to get your point across.

To get an idea of what density you should aim for, check out the top-ranking pages for your target keyword and see how much seasoning they’ve used. You can also reference your own top-ranking content for similar topics to get a good starting point.

But remember, it’s not just about the density. You also need to sprinkle your keywords in the right spots on the page to send the right signals to Google. So, be a master chef of SEO and season your content just right.

Summary for How Many SEO Keywords Should I Use?

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this article on how many SEO keywords you should use per page. As you’ve learned, the number of keywords you should target will depend on the length of your content. If you’re writing a short blog post, aim for two to three keywords at most. But if you’re penning a lengthy masterpiece, feel free to sprinkle in more keywords; just make sure you’re not overdoing it and turning your content into a keyword salad.

At the end of the day, the key to successful keyword targeting is to keep it natural. Don’t force your keywords into every sentence like a square peg in a round hole. Instead, place them strategically and artfully throughout your content to give your readers a pleasant and informative reading experience.

So, go forth and conquer the world of SEO keywords! And remember, if you ever get stuck, you can always refer back to this article for guidance or reach out to JC Web Designs to help your business sky-rocket to the first page of Google.