Focus on Relevant Long-Tail Keywords

Including long-tail keywords in your content helps search engines understand the topic and intent behind each page. Long-tail keywords are more specific multi-word phrases that relate to your broader topic.

For example, if your site sells baking supplies, broader keywords would be “baking” or “baking supplies.” Long-tail versions would be “baking tools for beginners” or “high-quality baking sheets.”

Use keyword research to identify relevant long-tail phrases to naturally incorporate in your content. These specific phrases will resonate with your target audience.

Use Keywords Strategically in Headings and Body Content

Distribute keywords throughout your content, not just in the first paragraph. Use keywords in headings, subheadings, image captions, and the body content.

This table shows a sample keyword distribution for a 500 word article:

Section	# of Keyword Uses
H1 Heading	1
H2 Subheading	2
First 100 Words of Body	1
Remaining Body Content	2
Image Captions	1
Meta Description	1

Optimize Keyword Density

Keyword density refers to the percentage of words on a page that are keywords. Aim for a keyword density between 1% and 3%. Too many keyword uses will read unnaturally.

To calculate: (Number of keyword uses / Total number of words) x 100

Write Conversational Content

Avoid awkwardly over-optimizing content. Readers prefer conversational content that incorporates keywords smoothly. Write for the reader first, not just for search engines.

Creating engaging, relevant content for readers will naturally attract search traffic over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good keyword density?

Aim for a keyword density between 1% and 3% for natural incorporation. Higher densities tend to read spammy and unnatural.

How do I incorporate long-tail keywords?

Research your topic to find 4-5 word long-tail phrases that are relevant for your audience. Then work those naturally into headings, body content, captions, etc.

What are some keyword optimization best practices?

• Use keywords in headings, subheadings, image captions, meta descriptions
• Spread keywords throughout the content
• Write conversationally instead of awkwardly over-optimizing
• Focus on long-tail versions of your main topic keywords

How often should I repeat the main keyword?

1-3 times is reasonable. Do not just repeat the exact same phrase over and over. Vary it by using synonyms, long-tail versions, etc.

Should keyword density be consistent throughout an article?

It’s fine for density to vary somewhat between sections. Overall aim for 1-3% density, but an individual paragraph could be a bit higher or lower. The focus is on reading naturally.