Keyword Density
The percentage of times a keyword appears relative to total word count. An outdated concept. Write naturally for users - Google hasn't relied on keyword density since the early 2000s.
Why It Matters
Keyword density is a relic from early SEO when search engines were simple pattern-matching machines. Hit 3% density for your target keyword and you'd rank. Those days are long gone.
Modern Google understands context, synonyms, and semantics. It doesn't count keyword occurrences - it evaluates whether your content comprehensively covers the topic. Obsessing over keyword density leads to awkward, unnatural writing that helps neither users nor rankings.
In Practice
Stop counting keyword occurrences. Instead, write comprehensive content that naturally covers the topic. Use your target keyword in the title, H1, and introduction - then write naturally. Google will pick up on variations, synonyms, and related terms.
If you find yourself inserting a keyword more than feels natural, you're over-optimising. If your content reads well to a human, the keyword density is fine.
Focus on topical completeness rather than keyword repetition. Cover all aspects of the topic, answer related questions, and provide genuine value. That's what modern SEO rewards.
Related Terms
Glossary
Keyword Research
Finding what your audience searches for - the foundation of every SEO strategy.
Glossary
Search Intent
The reason behind a search query - matching it is more important than matching keywords.
Glossary
Topical Authority
How comprehensively your site covers a subject - depth beats breadth for rankings.
Glossary
Thin Content
Pages with little useful content - Google devalues them and they drag your site down.
Know the Words.
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