True or False? Google does not consider meta keywords anymore. Topic is solved

[tammyb]

True or False? Google does not consider meta keywords anymore.

Is this a true statement or a false statement or just a matter of opinion?

For every website, I have been taught to create the webpage using a unique page title and meta description plus add 25 meta keywords.

Should I still be adding the meta keywords along with the meta description? If so, what it the recommended number of meta keywords to use?

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Thanks!

[gws]

As I understand it, they do not carry the weight they used to you in SEO, I suspect they have a little influence when all else is equal.

[angelinasmith]

Meta Keywords had value in the past but not now anymore. They are no longer a ranking factor for search engines. And, using them would tell your competitors the keywords that you are targetting thus, ignoring them would be a wise choice.

[tammyb]

Thanks for the replies. If a joomla website is using the meta keywords - does it hurt our efforts? I understand that it no longer helps, but will it hurt? Should we remove what is there? Thank you!

[annahersh]

Thanks for the replies. If a joomla website is using the meta keywords - does it hurt our efforts? I understand that it no longer helps, but will it hurt? Should we remove what is there? Thank you!

It's just Google that has abandoned meta keywords, all other search engines still read the tag. This meta is from the Yahoo page

Code: Select all

<meta name="keywords" content="yahoo, yahoo home page, yahoo homepage, yahoo search, yahoo mail, yahoo messenger, yahoo games, news, finance, sport, entertainment">

Keywords still apply, and it doesn't matter if your competitor sees the words you have used, if such competition is serious about digital marketing, they will have the tools which do keyword research and get the words you have set in your adwords or other search engine ad campaigns.

In essence there is no negative effect by using meta keywords.

[saisaanvi_123]

I think keywords, tags and description are the importance in SEO helps for ranking factors in search engines, where comparing to these Google will give more priority to the fresh content.

[jeffhoneyager]

It is all about the margin.

There are many variables that affect Google's SERP.

To do it right, do them all - key words in title, meta description, key words, image names, alt-names, internal link name - do all of it. They all help a wee bit. But it will make a difference.

Here is the key with google. Make sure:
- your content has authority (don't sell wedding dresses on a pet shop site)
- your content is unique (no article spinning)
- to add new content every 2 weeks (at a minimum)

Depending upon the key word/phrase competition, you will get to page one over time. And if you continue, you will stay on page one.

I have a tiny auto repair shop client (only 2 car bays). I have them rocking all of page one and all of page two for a number of selected key phrases that are searched for in their market. How? Follow the keys above.

I use RSJoomla's RSSEO - simple but does the trick.

[GrandMasterV]

Using keywords still works for other search engines besides google, it would be wise to use some.
Google, however, stopped using them.

[LessyJhon]

No Brother its not true meta tags have value, you can try don't use your main keywords into title and just use your main keywords into meta tags than you can realize your pages show up on google only for the meta tags

[robert_cole]

This is not true. still there is a value of meta tag for rank. Thanks

[johngrey]

Keywords and Metatags are important still from SEO point of view, and it affects the ranking on google

[changlee]

...It's just Google that has abandoned meta keywords, all other search engines still read the tag...

No, Google has not abandoned meta keywords.

Metas and Descs are the 2% of SEO if you have done the rest 98%. Metas work catalytically if you have an excellent Server and Content. It is so simple.

If you have these two, then with Metas and Descs you "help" Google just to define a little more your keyword density.

It is not panacea, but it is not demanded for SEO also.

[brian]

No, Google has not abandoned meta keywords.

I prefer to listen to the words of google themselves - specifically to the words of Matt Cutts the head of search at google.

https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2009/ ... a-tag.html

Google has ignored the keywords meta tag for years and currently we see no need to change that policy.

And that was 10 years ago!! So google has not used keywords for more than that. It's not even on the list of "Meta tags that Google understands" see https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/79812

Other search engines may use meta keywords, i dont know and its not the subject of the question. But when I look at Googles 90+% share of the search market I dont worry about them

[HostPlax]

I guess meta keyword does not help in search engine ranking but it helps google robots to read it and understand what the website is about.

[brian]

I repeat - google does not use meta keywords