SEO Myths – Keyword Density

SEO, or search engine optimisation, is the process of carrying out work both on and off your website to make it rank higher in search engines for the keywords that relate to the content, products or services that are offered on it. But because nobody has a complete breakdown of how the Google algorithm actually works, there are a number of SEO myths that tend to pollute the Internet.

Keyword density is one common myth. If you search the web using “keyword density” as a term, it will reveal a host of websites that express a so-called keyword density rule. Some sites even give figures. The typical keyword make up of your homepage for example (such as 4%), however this is most definitely a myth.

How can you be sure that this is indeed a myth? Firstly, search engine developers from Google have expressed the importance that content should be designed for humans and not for computer bots. Content should be interesting and entertaining as web visitors will not care about your keyword density, in fact a high keyword density (if noticeable) can be very off putting and irritating for your readers.

Picking keywords that are relevant to your website will ensure that your content is enjoyable and applicable for your web viewers and appears naturally in your web content. If some reason keywords are not naturally inserted into your material it’s advisable to edit content accordingly without the worry of the keyword myth.

Google actually condones “keyword stuffing.” There is a huge difference between keyword stuffed content and keyword rich content and as Google places ever more emphasis on the value of unique, interesting and well structured content, this is where our focus should be. Forget numbers. Just create unique content that reads naturally.

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