keyword density

[cathiejones]

What should be the keyword density when we define keywords in a website? Does it differ from site to site?

[swebm]

From my experience - main keyword take 10% from the text, and some other variations of the keyword - 1-2% every one.
Will be interesting to hear other opinions..

[freetraff]

Well, the rumor goes you can *spit* on keyword density as it is one of the most tiny factors for search engines to look upon. Still coming over 10% level may be very suspicious to search engines.

My own rule is that the page (together with page title, meta, link) should have keyword mentioned at least few times. But the copy itself must be for human beings, not search engines.

Plus I try for the keyword/keyphrase to be in the 1st passage. But only when this does not affect the logics of the copy.

[internet-marketing-cr]

It should be somewhere around 7% to 10%, keeping in mind that you are writing for human visitors.

[nkycomputers]

The proper keyword density is when you can still read the text and understand what it is trying to say while including your chosen keywords. If you repeat the same words over and over it is spam. If the text reads well it will normally rank well. An exception is when you have a products page with similar products. You have to repeat the terms over and over. This is ok as the search engine can determine that the text is in different sections of the page and not simply repeated over and over.

[incrediblehelp]

Don't even consider keyword density when writing. If your writing a story or article about "teddy bears" then naturally you would mention the keyword "teddy bears" enough throughout the content, for the ranking. Their is no magic percentage.

Like freetraffic mentioned this keyword density doesn't even warrant considerations because of the many other factors that can completely encompass any value it might contribute to the rank weight.