Do you still need to use keywords?

[d0sa]

I've just been looking over a competitors blogs and was intrigued.. They don't seem to be using keywords in many of their blogs.

For example.. they have a blog titled "Why spicy hot dogs are da bomb", but then they don't include the keyword "spicy hot dogs" once.

Do they not know what they're doing for SEO? Or am I missing something?

I understand that over the years SEO has moved on from being able to rank #1 with "The thing about spicy hot dogs is that spicy hots dogs are great for you, and spicy hot dogs.." to more nuanced approaches, but surely you still need to include at least a few instances of the main keyword?

 

[GordonH]

I don't think you're missing something. I just don't think the bloggers know what they're doing.

In saying that, there's a big difference between 'using keywords' and 'keyword stuffing'. If it's too obvious, it defeats the purpose. Is there a chance you haven't picked them up?

 

[t4nk78]

I don't want to derail this thread but I'd just like to point out the fact that it surely has 'spicy wiener' potential.

 

[4440]

It depends.

I'll give you an example.

If the site is new york times, or Wikipedia, which is already a top authority. Everything they say should/must have value.
In this case, Google will use more NLP resources in detecting their content and get far more detailed information/entities/KP about the article.
Even if the article does not include any exact keyword like "spicy hot dogs ", Google still knows they are talking about spicy, hot dogs from NLP analysis.

If the site is a nobody, Google will not try to use NLP resources into analyzing your content, because computing resources are limited and cost money, even for Google. So if your content has the exact keyword "spicy hot dogs", google will know what your content is about.

So the conclusion is keyword is still important. You should include them at least a few times if possible.

 

[I Am Batman]

Yes, you still need to include the main keyword or at least a keyword related to your main keyword.

For your example, putting the main keyword "spicy hot dogs" in the title is enough. I have seen many pages without content but still rank high for only the title.

 

[l0cke]

I've just been looking over a competitors blogs and was intrigued.. They don't seem to be using keywords in many of their blogs.

For example.. they have a blog titled "Why spicy hot dogs are da bomb", but then they don't include the keyword "spicy hot dogs" once.

Do they not know what they're doing for SEO? Or am I missing something?

I understand that over the years SEO has moved on from being able to rank #1 with "The thing about spicy hot dogs is that spicy hots dogs are great for you, and spicy hot dogs.." to more nuanced approaches, but surely you still need to include at least a few instances of the main keyword?

On my opinion , I would say it as your competitor is making those as a strategy to get user interaction. Like combination of keyword optimization and producing relevant ,engaging content that fits user intent in which Modern SEO requires it now.

 

[d0sa]

Thanks for your responses, everyone. So far there are 5 responses that say: you need them, you need them sometimes, you only need them in the title, you don't need them, and one more that's about weiners.

Would love more feedback if anyone has some insight

 

[safeSEOboost]

I've just been looking over a competitors blogs and was intrigued.. They don't seem to be using keywords in many of their blogs.

For example.. they have a blog titled "Why spicy hot dogs are da bomb", but then they don't include the keyword "spicy hot dogs" once.

Do they not know what they're doing for SEO? Or am I missing something?

I understand that over the years SEO has moved on from being able to rank #1 with "The thing about spicy hot dogs is that spicy hots dogs are great for you, and spicy hot dogs.." to more nuanced approaches, but surely you still need to include at least a few instances of the main keyword?

Yes, SEO has changed when it comes to keywords, and AI is able to see what the content is about, without using the exact keyword in the text.

In any case, "spicy hot dogs" is both in the <h1> and the URL, and it is enough for google to understand what the page is about.

 

[d0sa]

Yes, SEO has changed when it comes to keywords, and AI is able to see what the content is about, without using the exact keyword in the text.

In any case, "spicy hot dogs" is both in the <h1> and the URL, and it is enough for google to understand what the page is about.

Thanks, safeSEOboost. Is this something that has changed in the past year? And do you happen to have any further reading on it?

 

[safeSEOboost]

Thanks, safeSEOboost. Is this something that has changed in the past year? And do you happen to have any further reading on it?

this has been happening over the past few years, with the implementation of more AI by Google - this is not a too well-known fact, but keyword stuffing is a thing of the past, as many search results indicate - it is common for a page to rank without the (exact) keyword on it, as Google understands semantics.

 

[CCBO]

I've just been looking over a competitors blogs and was intrigued.. They don't seem to be using keywords in many of their blogs.

For example.. they have a blog titled "Why spicy hot dogs are da bomb", but then they don't include the keyword "spicy hot dogs" once.

Do they not know what they're doing for SEO? Or am I missing something?

I understand that over the years SEO has moved on from being able to rank #1 with "The thing about spicy hot dogs is that spicy hots dogs are great for you, and spicy hot dogs.." to more nuanced approaches, but surely you still need to include at least a few instances of the main keyword?

It should be The part of The content to Get Good ranking!

 

[CCBO]

It depends.

I'll give you an example.

If the site is new york times, or Wikipedia, which is already a top authority. Everything they say should/must have value.
In this case, Google will use more NLP resources in detecting their content and get far more detailed information/entities/KP about the article.
Even if the article does not include any exact keyword like "spicy hot dogs ", Google still knows they are talking about spicy, hot dogs from NLP analysis.

If the site is a nobody, Google will not try to use NLP resources into analyzing your content, because computing resources are limited and cost money, even for Google. So if your content has the exact keyword "spicy hot dogs", google will know what your content is about.

So the conclusion is keyword is still important. You should include them at least a few times if possible.

Loved Your explanation

 

[CCBO]

this has been happening over the past few years, with the implementation of more AI by Google - this is not a too well-known fact, but keyword stuffing is a thing of the past, as many search results indicate - it is common for a page to rank without the (exact) keyword on it, as Google understands semantics.

Great to hear but If they add Keywords In the content , Chances of Ranking higher will be more. What Do you think?

 

[Black Belt Spodermen]

The reality here is the "intent" of the keyword rather than the keyword itself. So, if your competitors touched the topic perfectly how it is meant to be, then they will have no problem in ranking.

 

[Panther28]

It should just inspire you to be more scientific in your SEO testing and site adjustments. Measure them more carefully, and make changes, like the one you mentioned in places, and see if you can notice an improvement or not. No page is given the same treatment as another I think. Thats the only thing that can explain google rankings!