How Many Times Should I Use A Specific Keyword in My Content?

If search engine optimization is a science, than keyword targeting is kinda like handling chemicals in a lab.

It must be done carefully. 

Over-optimizing your content with keywords – or "stuffing" as it's commonly referred to – will negatively impact your search rankings, while not targeting the right keywords at the appropriate volume will hurt your visibility as well. 

It's all about balance. But what exactly does that mean?

Funny you should ask... 

How many times should I use a specific keyword?

While this is more of an inexact science, the general rule of thumb is to include specific keywords no more than five times in a standard blog post. Anything else can be considered spammy to the reader and negatively impact the user experience.

Google even warns against “repeating the same words or phrases so often that it sounds unnatural.”

What this means for you

Avoid including keywords more than five times simply for the sake of including them to increase SEO value. This can actually detract from your efforts, as Google penalizes for “keyword stuffing.”

What is keyword stuffing?

Google defines keyword stuffing as “the practice of loading a web page with keywords or numbers in an attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking in Google search results.

Often these keywords appear in a list or group, or out of context (not as natural prose). Filling pages with keywords or numbers results in a negative user experience, and can harm your site’s ranking.”

In order to avoid this, create helpful content that speaks to the needs of your audience. Include keywords in an appropriate manner and within context of the article. The general rule of thumb among marketers is to keep mentions of a specific keyword to around five in any blog post.

There's a bit more that goes into securing a solid search ranking – after all, it is a science. Fill out the form below to access our full 40-page SEO report.