Keyword Density Not Enough for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

How to Get Your Article Noticed by a Search Engine

By Nannette Richford, published Apr 20, 2007
Published Content: 227  Total Views: 237,387  Favorited By: 62 CPs
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All the social bookmarking in the world will not help you if the search engines can't find your article in the first place. And search engines can't find you unless you speak their language. As we all know, part of that language is effective use of keywords and keyword phrases, namely keyword density ( the number of times your keyword appears in your article compared to the number of words in your article creates keyword density) that is neither too high or too low. It is, after all, the keywords and keyword phrases that are searched, right?

Keyword Density
Yes and no. Without good keyword density, your article simply will not come up in a search. Keyword density is determined by the number of times your keywords or keyword phrases appear in your article. For the purposes of AC, 3% to 6% is considered ideal keyword density. Having good keyword density is a major part of Search Engine Optimization or SEO. To determine your keyword density, AC recommends text analyzer. Live Keyword Analysis is also a great site to use for measure your keyword density. The advantage of this site is you can edit your article and immediately see increases in keyword density by selectively placing keywords and keyword phrases throughout your article.

Searchabilty
Once you have mastered keywords, keyword phrases, and keyword density, this is probably your biggest stumbling block, especially for writing articles for submission. Finding a topic that is likely to be searched, but has not already been flooded with sites and articles may seem like a daunting task. It is manageable, but requires you to step outside your role as a writer and enter the role of a consumer.

What would someone type to find my information?
There are several questions you need to ask yourself first. Does anyone want to read about my topic? If so, who are they and what would they type into a search engine to find your information? This is where you get your key words and keyword phrases. Think like the consumer. The words and phrases they would type to find this information are the keywords and keyword phrases you should use in your article.

Keyword Density Not Enough for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is attainable if you follow the guidelines for communicating with search engines.

Credit: Tony Skilton

Copyright: Tony Skilton

Takeaways
  • For the purposes of AC, 3% to 6% is considered ideal keyword density
  • Develop your keywords into keyword phrases of two to three words.
  • You absolutely must include those keywords and keyword phrases in your headline.
Did You Know?
Did you know that linking your articles to your own blogs and social book marking sites may actually prevent your article from showing up in a search?
Comments
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This is one of the most helpful articles I've read on SEO. I found it easy to understand and that it answered any questions I had along the way. Thanks much.

Posted on 08/12/2008 at 12:08:27 AM

 
This is a really useful article. Thanks for your help!

Posted on 07/29/2008 at 3:07:38 PM

 
As an AC newbie I have been reading articles such as yours to learn how to optimize my AC writing experience. This is the best article I have read to date. Thank you for the very informative and useful tips!

Posted on 07/24/2008 at 9:07:56 AM

 
Wow. Like people have said above, great, valuable information. Thanks!

Posted on 07/23/2008 at 5:07:08 PM

 
Wow, there was a lot here I didn't know - very helpful and very well written. Thanks

Posted on 07/19/2008 at 9:07:55 AM

 
Well written article. And information I can use, thanks.

Posted on 07/19/2008 at 8:07:52 AM

 
Outstanding article, even for those of us who have been doing it awhile.

Posted on 07/04/2008 at 11:07:29 AM

 
Thank you for sharing such great information.

Posted on 07/01/2008 at 8:07:40 PM

 
Thanks for the info. It's been very helpful since I'm just starting out. This requires forgetting some of what my high school and college writing teachers taught me.

Posted on 06/29/2008 at 4:06:47 PM

 
Wow!!! Do *I* have so much to learn! Density???!!!! I have heard of lacing one's writing with popular keywords. I even wrote a spoof article over on helium with just that purpose. I had everything in there from sex to George Bush to economy to Britney Spears to Iraq to hip hop. I have to say that it didn't make me a millionaire. It's not even one of my better performing articles, which, ironically to me, happens to be one entitled "The Legality of Paying Using Only Pennies"! How obscure!!! I'm definitely going to have to remember the 3-6 percent range. But, I'll only do that after my "favorite" version is written, and then make only those changes that I find literarily (???) and/or aesthetically sound. Very, very informative and valuable article, Nannette.

Posted on 06/25/2008 at 8:06:50 PM

 
Excellent article. I'm just starting to find out about SEO and the like, and this was very helpful and clearly put.

Posted on 06/24/2008 at 10:06:17 AM

 
Very very informative and helpful. It's put in a language so simple that even I can follow it.

Posted on 06/07/2008 at 6:06:23 AM

 
Being new to AC, I found this article very helpful! Thank you so much! Ashley

Posted on 05/26/2008 at 4:05:01 PM

 
Thnaks for your very helpful tips :) Sheri

Posted on 05/24/2008 at 12:05:25 AM

 
Keyword Density - Will it affect readability adversely?

Posted on 05/19/2008 at 9:05:23 AM

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