What are Meta Keywords and Do They Matter in SEO? Unveiling the Truth
Meta keywords, embedded within the HTML structure of a webpage, serve as a form of meta tag that provides search engines with insights into the content’s subject matter. While less prominent than other meta tags like the meta description, the question often arises: Are meta keywords necessary for ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs)?
This comprehensive blog post addresses all your queries, including:
– What are meta keywords?
– Does Google consider meta keywords for ranking?
– Are meta keywords still relevant in the current digital landscape?
For a deeper understanding, watch our informative video on selecting the right keywords for SEO.
In the ever-evolving field of digital marketing, staying informed about recent developments, such as the continued relevance of meta keywords, is crucial. Subscribe to our Revenue Weekly newsletter, where over 200,000 marketers receive the latest updates directly in their inboxes.
Meta keywords, akin to title tags and meta descriptions, are invisible to users unless they view the page source. However, search engine crawlers scan these tags to better comprehend the page content. For instance, a dental clinic’s homepage might include “dental clinic in Spring, Texas” as a meta keyword.
While once a common practice in on-page SEO, incorporating meta keywords into the HTML code was once a vital step. Search engines would analyze a webpage’s content based on these keywords. Unfortunately, this approach was exploited by some, leading to spammy practices.
In 2009, Google confirmed that it never used meta keywords as a ranking factor, largely due to the tag’s potential for misuse. Today, meta keywords hold little to no significance in search engine rankings.
If Google does not factor in meta keywords, should you include them? The answer is no. Focusing on other SEO elements is more effective than investing time in these meta tags.
Despite their diminished role in ranking, meta keywords serve other purposes. Some content management systems (CMS) still utilize them for internal site search. Additionally, large enterprise websites can use them as an internal tagging system.
You can also gain insights into your competitors by examining their meta keywords. This can be done by viewing the source code of a competitor’s homepage. The meta tags under “keywords” likely represent their seed keywords.
If your CMS and plugins do not require meta keywords for site search, you can omit them, thus not revealing your seed keywords to competitors.
Remaining current with SEO updates is essential for a successful digital marketing strategy. While meta keywords were once influential, most SEO professionals no longer consider them a priority.
Our team of 500 digital marketing experts stays abreast of the latest changes to deliver optimal results for our clients. If you seek an SEO agency or digital marketing partner with a forward-thinking approach, consider WebFX.
Contact us online or call 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist about our SEO services and take your digital marketing to the next level.
