Keyword Content Balance in SEO

Posted by Kristian on Jun-3-2008 under SEO Tips

Keyword content is an essential part of SEO (search engine optimization, see seo web design) . Regularly updated content is the best way to get website visitors to return to your site. But what is the best ratio of keywords within content? How can you find that delicate balance between too much and too little?

The ideal content will, of course, flow naturally from the subject. No one wants to visit a website just to read the same keyword over and over again and nothing else, even if they did run a search on that keyword. There has to be substance.

Content must–MUST–say something interesting or informative or entertaining about the keyword. In fact, the keyword should almost take a back seat within the article. No one wants to see the same words in every single sentence.

At the same time, people are searching for that word. The more times it repeats within the article, the more likely people are to find it. So how do you strike that balance?

Ideally, good content should have the keyword or keywords near the top of the article, preferably within the first sentence. If you can include it naturally, use the keyword two or three more times within the first paragraph. But don’t strain the quality of writing for it. That won’t do any good.

After that, go lightly on the keywords for the middle of the article, IF you can do that naturally. If a sentence demands your keyword, don’t go all around the bushes trying to look for a synonym. After all, content is written about a certain subject so that the subject will come up naturally in the course of the content. When a keyword should naturally occur–use it!

Finally, use the keyword two or three times at the end of the article, if possible. It should occur at least once in the final sentence.

Are there numerical guidelines for a good keyword-content balance? There are, but they should be used sparingly. A ratio of 2% - 4% (which evens out to two to four appearance of the keyword for every 100 words of the article) is a good numerical balance. But, again, it should take second place to good writing. If you have to use the keyword more than that, then use it. If you can’t use the keyword twice per hundred words without it sounding forced, then don’t. Consider choosing a different topic where the keyword will arise more frequently in the natural course of the article.

Keywords are nothing to be afraid of, if they’re used correctly.