As an SEO specialist, one of the most common questions we get from website owners is where to include keywords for maximum impact on search engine rankings. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, there are some general guidelines that we can follow to ensure that our keyword placement is optimized for SEO.
1. Title Tag
One of the most important places to include keywords is in the title tag of your webpage. This is because search engines typically use the title tag to understand the topic of the page and the keywords that are relevant to it. However, it’s important to remember that the title tag should be written for human readers first, and search engines second.
For example, if your webpage is about “best sushi restaurants in New York City,” a good title tag might be “Discover the Best Sushi Restaurants in New York City – Our Top Picks.” This title tag not only includes the primary keyword “sushi restaurants,” but also includes location and a promise to provide value to the reader.
2. Meta Description
While the meta description may not impact search engine rankings directly, it can influence whether or not a user clicks through to your webpage. Therefore, it’s important to include keywords in your meta description in a way that entices users to click through.
For example, a meta description for the above example might be “Want to know where to find the best sushi in New York City? Our expert foodies have curated a list of the top sushi restaurants in the city just for you!”
3. Header Tags
Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) are another great place to include keywords for SEO. In fact, header tags are often used by search engines to understand the structure and hierarchy of a webpage. Therefore, it’s important to include primary and secondary keywords in your header tags, but to also ensure that they are written in a natural way that makes sense for readers.
For example, if your webpage is divided into sections, a good use of header tags might be:
- H1: “The Best Sushi Restaurants in New York City”
- H2: “Midtown Manhattan Sushi Restaurants”
- H2: “Brooklyn Sushi Spots”
4. Body Copy
Of course, keywords should also be included throughout the body copy of your webpage. However, it’s important to avoid “keyword stuffing,” or overusing keywords in a way that doesn’t make sense for human readers. Instead, focus on including primary and secondary keywords in a natural way that adds value to the reader.
For example, if your webpage is about “best sushi restaurants in New York City,” a good use of keywords might be:
“Looking for the best sushi in New York City? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve scoured the city to find the top sushi spots, from trendy Midtown Manhattan joints to hidden gems in Brooklyn. Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or just looking for a tasty date night spot, our list has got you covered.”
In summary, keyword placement is an important part of SEO. By including keywords strategically in your title tag, meta description, header tags, and body copy, you can help search engines understand the topic of your webpage and improve your search engine rankings. However, it’s important to remember that writing for human readers should always be the primary focus, and that keyword stuffing should be avoided at all costs.