One of the frequently asked queries on Google search is ‘How many keywords for SEO should I use?’ Keyword planning and their distribution in an appropriate amount is the crucial step to SEO. We understand your concern and are here to answer your query. As an SEO specialist, we are indulged in SEO writing and have been through the same confusion. Juggling with keyword numbers, we understood this after experimenting with a few blogs.
SEO is the key to ranking higher on the search engine research pages (SERP) of Google. Ever wondered where all these keywords come from? Well, these are nothing more than the number of queries put out by us, the searchers looking for an answer from Google. SEO is a way to optimize your content to reach the right audience. It is the organic way to reach your target who might be looking for blogs you’ve picked to give solutions to their problems.
What are keywords in SEO?
Keywords used in SEO are a set of words or phrases added to content to increase its conversion by ranking higher on Google. Keywords are also referred to as ‘keyphrases’ sometimes. It gets sorted by researching the search volume, competition, density, and more. These are the terms that people search for on Google. By ranking higher websites attract visitors to their website and boost conversion.
Primary Keyword: It is the main or target keyword that the blog is optimized for. It is suggested to be used at the start of the content within the first paragraph.
Secondary Keyword: Secondary Keywords are closely related to the primary keyword. They are the subtopics on which the rest of the content has to be written.
Benefits of using Keywords in SEO
Keywords help you bring more traffic to your website by ranking higher on the Search Engine Result Page.
Creating long tail keyword content might target many low-search volumes and high-search volume content which increases the conversion rate.
You can connect with your target audience and reduce the bounce rate on your website.
How Many SEO Keywords Should I Use?
Search engines have evolved for good over the years. It scans a copy for the keyword search the audience is looking for to show them only the relevant results. The exact searched keywords if placed as such, the Google crawler identifies and matches it to the users’ search results. It’s important to know ‘how many SEO keywords should I use?’
One to two primary keywords on the overall page are good enough. It is suggested to keep one in the introductory part within the first paragraph for a better result. Second, you can use it in the conclusion. This part can be avoided if needed based on the total number of words. For every 1000 words 1 – 2% of keywords are more than enough. The primary keyword follows secondary keywords which is an addition to the main topic. The secondary keyword is an extension to the primary keywords.
Through secondary keywords, you answer the other keywords that might cover the subtopic. Secondary keywords can be around 2-4 and each used once is a good density. Inducing these keywords in your content can reach a wide range of searchers and range higher on Google. If you use long tail keywords with good volume search and low competition combined with some high competition keywords, the chances for Google to crawl your page increase. Google finds such content valuable and helps it reach its right audience.
A long tail keyword such as ‘How many keywords should a website have?’ can also target keywords with ‘How many keywords should you target, how many keywords should I use for SEO, the keyword for SEO, Keyword density, and more. You can answer as many questions as you feel could fit this topic. Anything & everything related to SEO keywords and how many SEO keywords will be used. You can use keyword tools available on the internet to find out which relevant keywords to use.
Where to use Keywords for SEO?
Knowing where to put keywords for SEO is as crucial as knowing how many. Here is the list of places that require keyword placement for the SEO to function better.
- Page title/ Meta title
- Meta description
- Introduction
- Subheadings
- Subtopic
- Alt text on Images
- Conclusion
- URLs
What is keyword density in SEO?
Keyword density is the measure of keywords used in a piece of blog/ article to the total number of words. It is usually 1% to 2% of the total number of words. In the case of SEO, the less is the more. Keeping your keywords appropriate and adding in a definite amount is good for the rank.
Keyword density comprises keywords in meta tags, URLs, subtopics, and more.
Not using keywords in proper amounts per the total number of words can lead to keyword stuffing. Excessive use of keywords usage to rank high in Google is against the guidelines. You should be aware of keyword relevancy and its density. Writing high-quality content is as important as using keywords in it.
How to choose the keywords for SEO?
- Know your goal, or topic that you want to make your content around. Be clear about what you want to achieve from it, conversion, branding, generating sales, etc.
- Choose your keyword type whether you want to go with the long tail keyword or short tail keyword. Do you want to bet on the high search volume or the low search volume?
- Learn about the search intent of the keyword. Stay informed about how much is in demand in the market and how relevant is the keyword to your content. Know if you are solving major issues for searchers on Google.
- Stay updated with your competition. Find out which keywords your competitors rank for and what works best on SERP.
- Make use of the search tools to explore the keywords, and know their search volumes and competition.
What are the top Keyword research tools for SEO?
Some of our favorite paid and free keyword research tools for SEO are as below:
SEMrush
SEMrush is one of the best keyword research tools for SEO out there. It provides a wide option of keyword research from keyword search volume, difficulty, CPC, etc. It provides you with the category of exact matches, phrase matches related phrases along with the metrics. It also allows you to monitor your website, and check how it’s performing compared to the competitors. It’s a paid version Keyword tool.
Answer The Public
Answer The Public is a free keyword research tool for SEO. All you need to do is type the broad typic or the keyword, choose your country to target, and hit the search button. It shows keyword ranging for your topic in 4 categories related to highly searched, average, and low. You can separate or pick your keywords from here. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show the search volume.
Google Trend
Google Trend is free. It lets you search for specific queries and phrases. You can compare two ranking keywords for which is more competitive. You can also check based on which time, region or year is the keyword searched for.
KeywordTool
The reason why we picked KeywordTool as our favorite is the wide range of keyword suggestions it provides. Along with the sheer amount of keyword options, you can also get search volume and trend information. It supplies us with all the relevant SEO data we require. It’s a paid SEO tool.
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is a smarter keyword research tool for the SEO. Get in depth keyword information with its ‘keywords explorer’ feature. The best part is you’ll get the exact number of backlinks knowledge that can help you rank on Google. It is free.
Moz Keyword Explorer
With Moz Keyword Explorer you can attract most traffic towards your website. It helps you generate lateral keywords ideas- a list of closely related keywords for your SEO. The best feature of Moz Keyword Explorer is you receive lots of out of the box keyword suggestion. Also an outstanding feature worth mentioning is that you get advice on number of clicks you might get on particular keyowrd. It comes free.
Conclusion
We hope you have got your answer to ‘How many keywords for SEO should you use?’ We have answered all your related queries. Everything that falls under our keywords for SEO. There’s no limit to what can perform better. We suggest you keep experimenting with what works best for you.