Meta keywords serve as tags designed to provide search engines with additional insights into the content of a webpage. Over the years, meta keywords have played a crucial role in a website’s SEO.
So, are meta keywords still relevant in SEO in 2023? Let’s find out.
What are Meta Keywords?
Meta keywords are special meta tags used on web pages to provide search engines with insights into the main themes or topics covered on the page. They are placed within the header section of a page’s source code to offer search engines a list of significant keywords or phrases that summarize the content’s subject matter.
Think of meta keywords as little flags you can raise on your webpage to help search engines understand what your page is talking about. These flags, created using a special code, “<meta>”, work like secret messages between your webpage and search engines. They live in a specific part of your webpage’s code known as the “<head>” section, which is like the control center of your webpage.
Imagine you have a webpage all about pets. You can use the meta keywords flag to tell search engines that your page is about different kinds of pets. Here’s what it will look like in the source code:
<meta name="keywords" content="Cats, Dogs, Birds">
Even though these keyword flags aren’t visible on the webpage itself, they’re super helpful to search engines. When someone searches for topics like cats, dogs, or birds, these flags remind search engines that your page is relevant. It’s like giving a hint to the search engine to show your page when people are looking for pet-related information.
How to set Meta Keywords for SEO
1. Keyword Research:
Use a reliable keyword research tool to research keywords and phrases that closely align with the main themes of your webpage’s content.
2. Choose Key Phrases:
Select a few key phrases from your research that best represent your content. Focus on terms that have high relevance to your topic and are commonly searched by your target audience.
3. Create Meta Keywords Tag:
In the HTML code of your webpage, locate the <head> section where you’ll insert the meta keywords tag. The format should be as follows:
<meta name="keywords" content="Keyword1, Keyword2, Keyword3">Are Meta keywords still Relevant in 2023?
In 2023, the relevance of meta keywords for visibility has diminished. Search engines, like Google, no longer recognize meta keywords as an SEO ranking feature. While meta keywords were once a significant component, their misuse led to spammy practices and unreliable search results.
Search engines now focus more on content quality, user experience, relevant backlinks, and semantic analysis. These factors offer a more accurate understanding of a webpage’s context and user intent.
While some smaller search engines might still consider meta keywords to a limited extent, it’s advisable to work on creating high-quality content, using relevant headings, crafting descriptive meta descriptions, optimizing images, and obtaining reputable backlinks. These strategies have a more substantial impact on how search engines perceive and rank your webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meta keywords are words or phrases you put in the code of your webpage. They tell search engines what your page is about. Unfortunately, they’re not as important as they used to be.
No, meta keywords have lost their power over the years. Search engines now consider factors like good content and user experience.
No. Google does not consider meta keywords for page visibility.
Conclusion – Do meta keywords still improve SEO in 2023?
In 2023, meta keywords do not have a significant impact on SEO. Major search engines now prioritize factors like content quality, user experience, and semantic understanding to determine search rankings.
