Are Meta Keywords Back In For Search?

[Maximilian]

Over the last few years web producers have been told that 'Meta Keywords' hold only the slightest consideration in search engine page rank, if at all. Yet we all still post these strings of meta keywords within our webpages and discuss at length in SEO threads the appropriate way to display them. Some webmasters use commas, some say no spaces between the commas, while others advocate long logical strings of words to match natural search queries.

Well, meta keywords are back big in SEO consideration and there's a new sheriff in town setting down some new consistent guidelines. His name is Jon Glick - an honest-to-goodness search engine insider. Jon is Senior Manager of Search at Yahoo! and has a unique background in the industry, in that, he's a qualified computer scientist who also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

You'll find the Jon Glick lengthy interview concerning the new meta keyword rebirth in search at:

http://www.e-marketing-news.co.uk/april_2004.html

Here are the condensed talking point highlights of the keyword tag discussion within the article:

Jon Glick focuses on 3 important meta keyword tag guidelines one must follow to avoid SE query result penalties:

1) He is emphatic that the keywords in the tag are of relevence only to matching search queries and not to any measure of page ranking.

2) Single words should be separated with commas - space after comma is optional.

3) Lengthy strings of words (long key word phrases) will raise a red penalty flag.

Jon Glick explains:

Each keyword is an individual token separated by commas. So that's that. You want to separate these things with commas and not just put one long string of text. The more keywords that are put in and the more they're repeated, the much larger the chance our spam team is going to want to check out that page. It doesn't mean that page is going to get any specific judgement. But it is very much a red flag. For best practice you just need to remember it's for matching - not ranking. Repeating the same word 20 times is only going to raise a red flag... It doesn't increase your likelihood of showing up on any given set of search results. It's just a risk with no benefit.

Interviewer:

So I could put, I don't know... er... for instance, ‘laptop computers, desktop computers, palm computers...’

Jon Glick:

Exactly, and, of course, since each of those is separated by commas, then ‘laptop computers’ will count for ‘laptop computers’ and not ‘laptop’ or ‘computers’ separately. So doing it like that means that you're not going to be penalised for keyword spamming on the word ‘computers’.

My personal take on Jon Glick's new SEO revelation, is that you now must consider some of the old as well as the new optimization tools, for both Google and Yahoo, when optimizing your web pages for maximum search query exposure and high page rank.

I welcome your thoughts and opinions!

[greeneagle]

It seems to me like Google has picked them back up with some type of verification alg. They never left for Yahoo and some of the others. I believe that is part of where Yahoo has been gaining ground lately.

Ken

[janeth]

I would love to see some of the test that shows that Google is now using meta tags.

[sudhani]

Are Meta Keywords Back In For Search?

They were always used. But now the relevancy might be getting into it. The keywords that you use should be relavant to the page theme. (And the website theme).

For example, the website is about women's health and one of my pages discusses (h1 & title are "Beauty & Women's Health") about "Beauty & Women's Health", my keyword list goes like this:

"Beauty & Women's Health,Beauty, Women's Health" I just won't add anything more. And dont forget the description meta-tag. It might go something like "Beauty & Women's Health - This article discusses about how beauty effects the health of a woman."

It always has given me good results.

[janeth]

Yahoo uses them but from the test we have done and test that others have done Google does not use them.

[sfowler]

They are entitled to change their minds again - just to keep us guessing. Perhaps they sit there and pull algo changes out of a hat every month.

[incrediblehelp]

I have always believed that Yahoo used the keyword tag, but to say that it is any major part of their algo would be a mistake, I think. If Yahoo algo was represented as 100%, how much of that would represent the keyword tag? My guess would be .05-1% at best.

[DrTandem1]

I think Ken has it right. Google will more than likely use it as a verification tool. If you have "Britney Spears" in your meta tags, but your content does not relate to her, then your site more than likely will have lost credibility.

Worrying about using a lot of different keywords for the same thing is pretty much a moot point. The sophisticated engines already have data bases that correlate synonymous terms. Use snap.com for an example. It shows you what it thinks are related terms.

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

If Yahoo algo was represented as 100%, how much of that would represent the keyword tag? My guess would be .05-1% at best.

If you are indeed correct, ( while I am not conceeding that you are ), then a .05-1% advantage could mean the difference between placement on the 1st or 2nd page of a keyword search query. Straws have been known to break the backs of camels while only accounting for .05-1% of the total weight upon the camels' back...

[TXprogrammer]

I have always said and practiced using them, but using them correctly. You never know when it will benefit you and if done correctly, as stated in the article, then I don't believe it could never hurt.

If the keyword is not on the page then don’t put it in the meta tag.

[neonant]

I'm getting a bit tired of SEOs having to pay for the shortcomings of the SEs. If Google start using meta keyword tags for verification and you have been using it for say common misspellings that do NOT appear on the actual page - you lose credibility.

I am glad that meta keyword tags are once again going to be used by the big players, although I don't know of any SEO who didn't continue using them since their demise. The common school of thought was that it didn't hurt and there were still smaller SEs out there that did use meta keyword tags to aid in SERP placement.

[Keimos]

Google IMO has always used them to compare the content of the page. They have always shown page content and not the keywords or description. If the description matches the content on the page then you will get a better placing, match all of your keywords to both.

What is displayed is not necessarly the result that you would expect.

Experience has shown for us that description and title do count as long as there is relevant content to match. And this is for all of them, G just hides it better.

[espectations]

I am one of those that always continued using them. Also, what I do is keep them relevant to the specific page topic as suggested.

My biggest source of relevant keywords is my own web stats. It shows you what people are specifically looking for when they find your site.

Works like a charm - some additional keyword research is also done and then some good 'ol common sense.

My sites enjoy high ranking so it works. I agree with those that said 0.5-1% could make a difference. Besides, studying the web stats helps one with the inclusion of search terms in the body text.

[paradigital]

Ok
Here is a simple question, not answered in the previous threads. Lets say that the SE does indeed give 1% to the Key word tag, which can make or break a campaign one or two pages on a heavy keyword. In you guys professional oppinion. The writing of that tag should be done with Commas between words? Spaces between commas or what. What would be the correct Punctuation for a keyword meta tag? I have heard about fifteen different ways. How does the SE want it?
Thanks

[daemon61]

Originally Posted by paradigital

Ok
Here is a simple question, not answered in the previous threads. Lets say that the SE does indeed give 1% to the Key word tag, which can make or break a campaign one or two pages on a heavy keyword. In you guys professional oppinion. The writing of that tag should be done with Commas between words? Spaces between commas or what. What would be the correct Punctuation for a keyword meta tag? I have heard about fifteen different ways. How does the SE want it?
Thanks

As I have learned and read so far, the best (if you can say so) technique would be to separate keywords and phrases with comma, lets say like this - "search engine optimisation, search engine, optimisation, meta tag, meta, ...". Also the final count of keywords and phrases should not be over 48 comma separated words.
I have done it this way and its working OK, we are #3 for our prime keyword on google. Although I have seen many sites on #1 SERP with catastrophic keyword meta tags (big number of keywords, no commas, even no keywords at all, etc).

[ergobob]

Great discussion.

Does that mean that you can use the same word in different context between commas? Is it a good thing?

For example: ergonomics, ergonomics retailers, workplace ergonomics, occupational ergonomics, ergonomics news, etc. etc.

Thanks,

Bob

[kservik]

Originally Posted by ergobob

Great discussion.

Does that mean that you can use the same word in different context between commas? Is it a good thing?

For example: ergonomics, ergonomics retailers, workplace ergonomics, occupational ergonomics, ergonomics news, etc. etc.

Thanks,

Bob

Yes and yes.

[red]

"I have always said and practiced using them, but using them correctly. You never know when it will benefit you and if done correctly, as stated in the article, then I don't believe it could never hurt.

If the keyword is not on the page then don’t put it in the meta tag"

I wholeheartedly agree! As far as I am concerned the keywords tag has never gone "out of fashion". The industry and algos change so quickly that I don't pay any attention to the fads and schemes and shortcuts. To do so would be shooting my site(s) in the the foot.

I believe that the site should be created, designed and written with the end user in mind...starting with the meta tags.

It used to be widely believed that meta tags were the "secret formula" to obtaining the highest search engine rankings. Many search engines and directories do not use meta-tag content. Period.

But, we should always keep the end user and the bottom line in mind and treat all meta-tags as text designed to (possibly) enhance our sites in the SERP's. It can't hurt...as long as the words in the meta-tags are on the page.

[Maximilian]

The meta keyword tag is also sometimes useful as a way to help your page come up for synonyms or unusual words that don't appear on the page itself. For instance, let's say you had a page all about the "butterfly" stamps. You never actually say the word "collecting" on this page. By having the word in your meta keywords tag, then you may help increase the odds of coming up if someone searched for "exotic butterfly stamp collecting." Of course you would greater increase the odds if you just used the word "collecting" in the body copy of the page itself.

[Maximilian]

Here's another example. Let's say you have a page about motorbike riding, and you've written your page using "motorbike" as a single word. You realize that some people may instead search for "motor bike riding" with "motor bike" in their searches being two separate words. If you listed these words separately in your meta keywords tag your page might rank better for "motor bike" riding.

Sadly, the best way to ensure this would be to write your pages using both "motorbike riding" and "motor bike riding" in the text - or perhaps on some of your pages, use the single word version and on others, the two word version.

[MarketingMama]

Does anybody read the FAQs page?

http://support.inktomi.com/searchfaq.html

Q. How do I make my rank higher in the search results?

A: Here are a few tips that can make sure your page can be found by a focused search on the Internet:

Think carefully about key terms that your users will search on, and use those terms to construct your page.

Documents are ranked higher if the matching search terms are in the title. Users are also more likely to click a link if the title matches what they're looking for. Choose terms for the title that match the concept of your document.

Use a "description" meta-tag and write your description carefully. After a title, users click on a link because the description draws them in. Placing high in search results does little good if the document title and description do not attract interest.

Use a "keyword" meta-tag to list key words for the document. Use a distinct list of keywords for each page on your site instead of using one broad set of keywords on every page. (Keywords do not have much effect on ranking, but they do have an effect.)

Keep relevant text and links in HTML. Placing them in graphics or image maps means search engines can't search for the text and the crawler can't follow links to your site's other pages. An HTML site map, with a link from your welcome page, can help make sure all your pages are crawled.

Use ALT text for graphics. It's good page design to accommodate text browsers or visually impaired visitors, and it helps improve the text content of your page for search purposes.

Correspond with webmasters and other content providers and build rich linkages between related pages. Note: "Link farms" create links between unrelated pages for no reason except to increase page link counts. Using link farms violates Inktomi content guidelines, and will not improve your page ranking.

MM

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by MarketingMama

Think carefully about key terms that your users will search on, and use those terms to construct your page.

This a very good point and is key yardstick to guide one in all aspects SEO from meta keywords to keyword rich page text.

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by MarketingMama

(Keywords do not have much effect on ranking, but they do have an effect.)

Yahoo! Search which is making fluid new changes daily - there are no absolutes, as in your statement. Again, you'll find the Jon Glick lengthy interview concerning the new meta keyword rebirth in search at:

http://www.e-marketing-news.co.uk/april_2004.html

[google junky]

Originally Posted by DrTandem1

I think Ken has it right. Google will more than likely use it as a verification tool. If you have "Britney Spears" in your meta tags, but your content does not relate to her, then your site more than likely will have lost credibility.

Worrying about using a lot of different keywords for the same thing is pretty much a moot point. The sophisticated engines already have data bases that correlate synonymous terms. Use snap.com for an example. It shows you what it thinks are related terms.

Google has the synonyms search method.

" ~" Searches
You may want to search not only for a particular keyword, but also for its synonyms. Indicate a search for both by placing the tilde sign ("~") immediately in front of the keyword.

For example as a search:
~horse
synonyms of horse.
As you find each one then subtract it from the search. You end up with their list.
As in:
~horse -horse -Equestrian -PONY -stallion -Horseback -Animal

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by google junky

" ~" Searches
You may want to search not only for a particular keyword, but also for its synonyms. Indicate a search for both by placing the tilde sign ("~") immediately in front of the keyword.

Wow, this meta keyword technique is news to me. Could you please clarify the "synonym" keyword concept even further - by explaining how the search engines will interpret this method?

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by red

If the keyword is not on the page then don’t put it in the meta tag"

I believe that the site should be created, designed and written with the end user in mind...starting with the meta tags.

I believe your statements should be the cornerstone to one's entire SEO & marketing campaign:

1.) Created the page for your end-user target audience.

2.) Only use meta keywords that are imbedded within the page you created, thus your SEO is directed at that same end-user target audience.

Sounds simple, but sometimes its hard to keep focused on the original cornerstone intent of your website when caught up in marketing to the world.

[greeneagle]

I tried it and it opens upt the search instead of targeting more specivity.... I Don't think that's the trend!
Ken

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by greeneagle

I tried it and it opens upt the search instead of targeting more specivity.... I Don't think that's the trend!
Ken

Sorry Ken,

I do not know what you a making reference to???

[MarketingMama]

MarketingMama wrote:
(Keywords do not have much effect on ranking, but they do have an effect.)


Yahoo! Search which is making fluid new changes daily - there are no absolutes, as in your statement. Again, you'll find the Jon Glick lengthy interview concerning the new meta keyword rebirth in search at:

Why do you keep quoting me? ... I simply stated what was on the Inktomi FAQ page and referenced a link these were not my original thoughts or processes.

MM

[greeneagle]

Maximum-Beauty,
I was referring to "~" searches, certainly not the keyword info.
Ken

[Dervish]

Originally Posted by daemon61

As I have learned and read so far, the best (if you can say so) technique would be to separate keywords and phrases with comma, lets say like this - "search engine optimisation, search engine, optimisation, meta tag, meta, ...". Also the final count of keywords and phrases should not be over 48 comma separated words.
I have done it this way and its working OK, we are #3 for our prime keyword on google. Although I have seen many sites on #1 SERP with catastrophic keyword meta tags (big number of keywords, no commas, even no keywords at all, etc).

Can i ask you, why is it necessary to include "search engine optimisation" keyword and then include "search engine" and "optimisation" words?As i know it is enough to include only first one, so when user will do search for "optimisation" only, your site with "search engine optimisation" will be shown.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by Dervish

Can i ask you, why is it necessary to include "search engine optimisation" keyword and then include "search engine" and "optimisation" words?As i know it is enough to include only first one, so when user will do search for "optimisation" only, your site with "search engine optimisation" will be shown.

HUH? WHAT?

[daemon61]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

HUH? WHAT?

Hm, i dont quite understand either, but I suspect the answer would be "Because its a keyword phrase?"

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

HUH? WHAT?

Holy Toledo, Batman!

These are the two very same questions which Einstien posed to himself aloud just ptior to his discovery of the theorum of relativity...

Cheers to the Incredible Help!

Max