Google’s algorithm for ranking web pages takes numerous factors into consideration when deciding which pages deserve to be ranked highest in the search results pages (SERPS).
One ranking factor which is very often misunderstood (and frequently abused) is an article’s Keyword Density.
Many webmasters and bloggers believe that using a keyword or key phrase as often as possible on a page will cause that page to rank higher in the SERPS, but that isn’t really the case at all.
I could write a long post here explaining my understanding of the proper use of keyword density, but Google’s Matt Cutts explains it much better than I ever could. And besides, sometimes it helps to get info like this straight from the proverbial horse’s mouth.
Watch this short video to find out what Mr. Cutts has to say about how keyword density affects a page’s search engine rankings:
Well, there you have it from the man who knows. The thing that I take away from this discussion is that we should write our articles and blog posts with the reader in mind, not search engines.
If a post sounds unnatural or contrived when you read it or it’s obvious that there’s some serious keyword stuffing going on, the page will likely rank lower in the search results than it would otherwise rank.
Bottom line: Use your keywords and key phrases intelligently and sparingly to receive the best treatment by the search engines.