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17 April 2021
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04 January 2023
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Having the proper keywords was the easiest way of ranking highly in Google’s search results. So, if you want to rank well for one, wouldn’t having more of it boost your site to the top?
The answer is a loud no! Scroll down to find out why having too many of the same keywords harms your site and what you can do instead.
Have you ever visited a site where their content is made up of different sentences, but each of them will repeat a certain keyword? Or worse, have entire paragraphs made up of that single word, like a broken record.
This is known as keyword stuffing, a formerly well-known shortcut to give your page a quick rise in the search rankings.
In the early days of SEO, sometimes described as the “wild west”, when Google’s algorithm was still in its infancy, keywords are the magic bullet.
Because if the page has an exact match of what the user was looking for, word for word, then the site will stand a good chance of ranking well.
This discovery gave birth to what is now known as “keyword stuffing”, which comes in the form of
● Repeating keywords again and again in sentences.
● Having an entire block of text made up of the same word.
● Hiding words by having them be of the same color as the background.
● Spamming them in page titles and meta descriptions.
While this tactic is much quicker than optimizing your site for Google and users, it is now a confirmed negative ranking factor, which means that it will only cause you to rank lower, or even get your site de-indexed.
Did your agency or “SEO coach” say keyword stuffing still works?
Then you should definitely continue reading!
What does a panda, penguin, and hummingbird have in common?
They’re all algorithm updates by Google!
Besides having adorable names, these are three out of the many major changes Google has made to cut down on keyword stuffing and spammy SEO tactics. They also aim to improve users’ experience on the search engine.
Panda:
Stuffing your website with keywords was once the way to go before this update was launched in 2011. It aims to demote sites that contain low-quality content in favor of those which are actually relevant and helpful to users.
Penguin:
Not just aimed at keyword stuffing, this 2012 update also targets other manipulative tactics, such as the practice of buying backlinks. To improve the quality of search results, it doesn’t simply demote, but also removes websites that use such methods.
Hummingbird:
Released in 2013, this update is aimed at improving Google’s understanding of the context behind the users’ search queries. Instead of simply pointing users to websites that are stuffed full of relevant keywords, it now looks at the relationship between words before directing them to a site.
Next time your agency or “SEO coach” proposes tactics that are similar to keyword stuffing or other spammy methods, ask “What does a panda, penguin, and hummingbird have in common?”,
Or even better, send them this article.
Create something original.
Google loves original and helpful content, so instead of repeating a keyword you want to rank for, why not have a section on why your clients should choose to work with you?
When coming up with content, it is also important that you use a variety of words to prevent from falling into the slippery slope of keyword stuffing. Not only will you see an improvement in your site’s rank, but visitors will also stay longer to browse around.
You should also use keywords naturally, instead of forcing as many of them into a text as possible. This will not only make your content easier to read, but also improve user experience, leading to a higher chance of your brand being trusted and expanding your client base!
Keep yourself updated with Google’s best practices for websites.
Google is constantly updating its algorithms and making changes to its recommended best practices for websites. They can serve as a helpful guide on how to boost your rankings in an ethical and approved manner.
However, being constantly on the lookout for changes and keeping yourself in the know can be tiring along with time-consuming, which is why you should consider the option below!
If you’ve been misled by a previous marketing agency and left with nothing but broken promises, a hole in your pocket, and a poor site rank on Google, we understand your hesitation.
But hear us out on why you should come to us at Cleverly:
Transparency in all we do.
Curious about the progress of work done? Want to know what the process is like? Just ask! We pride ourselves in providing top-notch transparency in all we do to ensure our client’s peace of mind.
Leave the heavy lifting to us.
Analyzing numbers and charts along with keyword research can be a chore! At Cleverly, we do all the heavy lifting, so you can spend more time focused on building your brand.
Proud Google Partner.
As a Google Partner, we are constantly up-to-date on any changes or advancements that take place regarding SEO and website’s best practices! We don’t depend on hearsay or rumors, but verified information from Google itself.
Are you ready to work with a trusted digital marketing agency with raving reviews? If yes, contact us now, and we’re excited to work with you!
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