How many keywords is a good idea?

1. 80

   schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years ago

   Some of my hubs have 25-40 keywords.

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      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I use just a handful.  I read somewhere that overloading with a lot can begin to be difficult to use in a natural way that does not look like overloading. But, I think the number of KWs can vary depending on the topic, writer, etc...

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   2. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do you mean how many times do you use a single keyword, or how many different keywords you target in one Hub?
      
      If it's the former, like Wilderness said, the usual advice is "in the title, first header, first and last paragraph and summary.  Beyond that they can come naturally in the text". 
      
      You only want a keyword density of 3-4% so if you start consciously repeating them in the text, you're likely to overdo it.  Also don't use it in every single sub-title and certainly don't repeat the word within a sub-title.

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         schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I mean the list at the right of the hub, can you have too many? thx for the other thoughts thou!

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            WriteAngledposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I dimly remember a forum discussion about the fact that yes, you can have too many tags. Sorry, I cannot remember the rationale for that statement.

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         2. 85

            Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            The last word on how many tags I remember being advised is up to about a dozen.

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2. 0

   Béla Mongyiposted 12 years ago

   I think your keywords should make up about 4-5% of the content of your hub. However, it's great to use related keywords as suggested by the Google AdWords tool.

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3. 81

   David 470posted 12 years ago

   I don't exactly count my keywords, however, I do read over my hubs for keywords and make sure they are not overused.

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      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's how I handle it, too.  I want them in the title, first header, first and last paragraph and summary.  Beyond that they can come naturally in the text. 
      
      Usually my problem is too many and I have to figure out some alternative - somewhere around 3-4% is usually fine, but I don't bother to count.
      
      Having said that, I will often try to use 2 or 3 different keywords or phrases.  I still want them in those same places but usually end up pick just one to hit them all.

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      1. 81

         David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         When it comes to long tailed keyword phrases,  I try to only include a few of those, and all others are single keywords.

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      2. 90

         Will Apseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         'title, first header...'
         
         I don't think repeating your main keywords in the first header is such a good thing.
         
         On Squidoo it would not even be allowed so they must have crunched the numbers and found it was a bad idea.
         
         If you write naturally it is difficult to either over-use or under-use keywords on a normal page. As soon as you start consciously manipulating them you are probably doing harm.
         
         If you are writing an Amazon hub I think it is a little different and certainly worth keeping the commercial keywords down to a minimum. Google has a long standing war with marketers and their spam filters are constantly evolving. The less you give them to work on, the better.

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   QuestionMasterposted 12 years ago

   Every word you type online is a keyword. Whether you use a tool to find them or not.
   
   With the exception of 'the' 'and' etc.

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5. 67

   Ladybird33posted 12 years ago

   I don't count but I use the right keywords that makes my hub...does that make sense.  Use what works for your article, it makes it flow.  Hope this helps.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's easy to use the HP suggestions...(and you know I'm talking about the ones at the right of the hub?) but the keyword tool has been recommended, is it still recommended? I really hate it the most. Maybe I can get by on using keywords in my hub and title?

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      1. 86

         Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         keywords and tags are two completely different things.
         
         The tags down the right hand side are used for HubPages search results.  The ones suggested by HubPages are produced by an automated tool that just picks the frequently used words in your text - so be very discerning about which ones you use.  Only use the ones that describe what your Hub is about. 
         
         And yes, you can have too many and your score will suffer if you do.  10-20 is plenty. 
         
         You shouldn't be using the keyword tool to find tags.  You should be using it to find words to use in your Hub.

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6. 56

   beebongposted 12 years ago

   I have also been publishing on Microsoft Office Live and Slide Share and they put a limit of about 20 key word phrases. and that seems about right for Hubs as well.

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7. 89

   Howard S.posted 12 years ago

   The list of words to the right of your hub contains what are called tags rather than keywords. @ktrapp plans to publish a hub about tags within a couple of hours. Judging by her other three hubs about SEO, it should offer excellent advice. Stay tuned.

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8. 0

   Majadezposted 12 years ago

   As many as possible, I think? As long as they're related to your hub.

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