Comments on: Should I use the keywords meta tag?

By: Jack Leblond

Jack Leblond — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:22:18 +0000

You’ll want to keep the total character count (regardless of number of words) under 65. Keeping in mind that as of right now the only major engine still using these is Yahoo, and they have minimal effect (if any) on ranking.

By: DJ Morris

DJ Morris — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:59:34 +0000

Great post and it was really helpful to read, but I had one questions…how many mets keywords should you add to the settings and to each blog post? 5, 10, more, or doesn’t it matter? Thanks

By: Annen

Annen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:00:20 +0000

I always thought that while Googe does not say anything about the meta tags, it does play a minor part in their algorithm.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:28:29 +0000

This is something that has bothered me more for the fact that so many people think it’s a huge element in proper SEO. I still use it because it’s easy to use (and Yahoo and Ask.com do check it out), but I definitely don’t put much weight into it.

I’ve heard from some it’s a good place to put in commonly misspelled keywords, although I think that’s a little too black-hat for me.

I did read that Danny Sullivan article, and he did some good tests – I personally believe Google ignores the keyword meta tag (and always has), which is why I don’t think it’s worth putting too much time into. As you said, they’re quiet about it, so there’s no way to know for sure – my suspicion is that, if anything, they check it for keyword spamming may punish such sites for doing that.

By: All in one SEO Pack configuration step-by-step | SEO | SEM | Internet Marketing | Jack Leblond

Thu, 14 May 2009 21:52:28 +0000

[...] Should I use the keywords meta tag? [...]

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:35:00 +0000

I dont think it’s so much that “it only takes a minute and cannot hurt”. I think the argument for not using them is that if you do not know how to implement them in the correct fashion, they can wind up hurting your ranking for some of the big-guys like Google.

Example: you have a dog site, and in the keywords you have the words “canine” to try and catch some more audience. However, you do not have that word written hardly anywhere in your site’s content. While your mindset may be “Well, it only took me a minute and it can’t hurt”… what if (and a big what if, as I am not saying I know what’s going on, this is just speculation) Google looks at that and immediately writes you off as a potential spammer?

I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to do some reading on the proper usage of these tags, before assuming it’ll only take a minute and it cannot hurt.

I will say however, that I have spent MONTHS fine-tuning my tags and have noticed a major improvement in terms of visitors from Yahoo (NOT Google). http://ninecrimes.net

By: The Medical Plus

The Medical Plus — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:16:00 +0000

I still add them since they mean no harm, then keyword tag is a place to put secondary keywords because title and description tags has limitation of character length.

By: Ann Cummings

Ann Cummings — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:33:15 +0000

I had been taught, and have continued to read, that using well thought out keyword meta tags did play a big role in how you’re find, as long as they’re used appropriately. And to make sure to use them in alt titles and pictures, if appropriate.

Based on Phil’s comment above, I understand now why tags are visible on many sites. I had always wondered why those would show – now I understand a reason for that. Thanks

By: Phil from ProCare Software

Phil from ProCare Software — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:12:20 +0000

Sure we use the keyword meta tag. It may not help much, but it certainly doesn’t hurt and the amount of time is miniscule. Just throw in some phrases you are already using on the page and perhaps a couple of common mis-spellings and you’re done. 60 seconds tops.

Another way to do something all engines will “see” is to place a visible “tags” section somewhere on each page. You’ll basically include the same phrases that would also go in the keyword meta. Copy & Paste. It’s so easy.

By: Charles Sipe

Charles Sipe — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:08:18 +0000

Why spend your time on something that you don’t know will help you, when you can spend your time on something that you know will help you? I would suggest spending more time on researching and creating valuable content, and building inbound links. If you have time left over, you can add metatags, but it isn’t the best utilization of your time.