Keyword Density is the number of times a keyword appears out of the total number of words in the text.
Also called keyword density by SEO specialists, it does not establish an ideal percentage of keyword density in a text, but the algorithms of Google and other search engines are currently penalizing high ratios.
The goal of search engines is to offer original and natural content. Therefore, when it comes to positioning a page in their SERPs, they positively value those that have a reasonable keyword density.
In this line, it influences whether the keyword or term for which we want to position is one word or is the long tail (there are 3, 4, or 5).
How to Measure Keyword Density?
To measure or calculate the density of keywords in content, you just have to apply the following formula :
- (No. of occurrences of the keyword / Total words of the content) x 100 =% Keyword Density
Example: A text contains 500 words. A relevant keyword appears 10 times in this text. Then the keyword density is 2%.
A percentage will come out of this operation, which will be the density of the content keyword.
It is a mathematical operation that can be performed in seconds with a calculator, although there are also pages and tools that measure the density of keywords on a website.
The search word density is a relevant ranking factor for search engines and an important part of search engine optimization.
However, opinions differ as to which keyword density is optimal and whether there is an optimal keyword density at all.
It is increasingly important that the content is natural, so Google and the other search engines have been measuring and controlling this factor more.
Thus, currently, many consider that a keyword density greater than 2.5% or around 3% is excessive. In fact, it is classified as an over-optimization of the keyword, which is penalized.
What is a Good Keyword Density?
The statements about optimal keyword densities vary between 3% and 10%.
In our opinion, there is no such thing as an optimal keyword density. Text length, topic, comparable websites, etc. must be taken into account here.
It is also important that not only the one relevant word occurs more frequently on the page, but also where it is often placed in the text (beginning of the text, middle section, end of the page).
In addition, synonyms and terms that fit thematically to the keyword are important and are used by search engines as a ranking factor.
Example: A page should be optimized for the term ” E-Mail Marketing Campaigns”. Then terms such as e-mailings, email marketing tools, newsletters, etc. are also important.
Is Keyword Density Important for Ranking?
Today, Google has stopped giving importance to this factor, since its algorithms are so advanced that they are able to distinguish when content is written naturally and when it is only to the position.
Keyword density is a concept that can be useful when writing content, used to avoid over-optimizing and penalizing Google. However, it should never be taken as a guide, as it has never been possible to offer concrete or exact answer.
The correct density of words will depend on each content, its length, the style, and the type of article or page that is being written.
Ideally, this should always be a natural use of the keyword, using it when necessary and reinforcing it with synonyms and other key phrases.