One of the first things you learn about SEO is that keyword density helps your page rank higher in internet searches. The second thing you learn is that keyword stuffing can tank your website and prevent it from showing up at all.
How much keyword density is good for SEO? What’s the difference between adding enough keywords and “stuffing”? In the ever-changing world of SEO strategy, it’s hard to keep up with the best way to rank higher in search engine results, especially when you’re busy with service calls.
You don’t have to do it all yourself when it comes to improving your search engine rankings. MarketingPests provides comprehensive SEO services for pest control companies. We can help you with the perfect keyword density to help your page rank higher.
Defining Keyword Density
The term “keyword density” gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? Let’s figure it out.
When you write a blog post, article, or other type of content for your website, you start by gathering a list of keywords to include. You write the content, including the keywords in a natural way.
To calculate keyword density, divide the number of keywords by the total number of words. Multiply that number by 100. The number you end up with is your keyword density percentage.
What is Keyword Stuffing?
When you’re trying to incorporate keywords into your copy, when does it become stuffing? What’s the difference between optimal keyword use and keyword stuffing?
In the olden days of SEO practices, you could rank higher in internet searches by writing low-quality content and including the target keyword as many times as possible, even when it didn’t make any sense. The result was search results that included the keyword and not much relevant information.
Over time, search engines adapted to detect keyword stuffing and rank it lower. Now, they look for high-quality information with the target keyword included in a natural way. While it means we now get valuable information from internet searches, it is much harder to rank high in search engine results.
What Percent Is the Best?
It seems like everyone has a different idea when it comes to how much keyword density is good for SEO. Some people swear by 2%. Others think higher density is better and aim for 10%.
The truth is, keyword density is no longer as important as it used to be.
High keyword density used to be the best way to rank in internet searches. People started writing low-quality content and stuffing it with their target keywords in order to rank higher.
Why Are Keywords Still Important?
If the keyword percentage doesn’t matter as much, why are keywords still part of SEO practices? It’s because when someone does an internet search, they use keywords to help them find what they want. Search engines look for more than keyword density to determine the best websites to show the user.
Factors like geographical location, website trustworthiness, and page authority help determine search result order. These factors are why the practice of keyword stuffing is no longer relevant.
Incorporating Your Keywords
If keyword density isn’t as important as it used to be, should you still use keywords at all? Absolutely. There may not be an ideal keyword density anymore, but search engines still look for keywords when they crawl. Here are some tips for using keywords:
Incorporate them naturally. Search engines look for content that sounds awkward or AI-generated, and they rank that type of content lower. When you read the page back to yourself, take a second look at any areas that don’t sound natural and rework those to get a better result.
Use keywords enough, but not too much. You need to use your target keyword at least three times: at the beginning, at the end, and in your meta description. If possible, incorporate it a couple more times, but don’t overdo it.
Don’t worry about ratios. Keyword density used to be a numbers game, but now it’s all about quality content. Focus on creating unique, engaging content that offers the reader valuable information.
Keyword Variations
Instead of using one keyword repeatedly, you will rank higher if you incorporate variations of your target keyword. If users search for a slightly different term than your target keyword, your content will show up in their search results, and you will get more eyes on your page.
For example, if your target keyword is “pest control,” you can include terms like “bug spray” and “humane traps” to cast a wider net.
It’s hard to know what terms a search engine might group together in order to show your website in search results. If you don’t want to figure it out for yourself, you can use SEO tools to help you identify related words to include in your copy.
Investing in Quality Marketing Strategy for Pest Control Businesses
Ranking higher in search engine results is a complicated dance of SEO practices and marketing strategy. Running a business takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but you started your business because you have a passion for pest control. If SEO isn’t your strong suit and you want to rank higher, we can help.
Marketing Pests will take a look at your current website copy and identify weak spots that need our expertise. We will develop an SEO-friendly website structure to drive organic search traffic to your page and increase conversion rates.
Now you know that worrying about how much keyword density is good for SEO is not as big a deal as it used to be. The old days of keyword stuffing and calculating keyword percentages are behind us. Search engines are developed to value the quality of the content over the number of times you use your target keyword. If you’re ready to exterminate outdated marketing strategies and hatch new ideas to take your business to the next level, call 732-497-8463 and talk to the MarketingPests team.
