Meta Keywords

Before we get into this particular subject, it's important to realize that although meta tags are no longer considered quite as important with regard to search engine listings and rank, website content was, is, and always will be extremely important.

And since content is so important, the more you learn about proper keywords in general, the better chance you have of enriching your content with words and phrases that are not only relevant to your website's subject matter but will be used by viewers when conducting a particular search.

The bottom line is, regardless of whether or not major search engines are paying attention to your meta tags isn't really the point. What you need to consider is this...

If your content is enriched with proper keywords, you'll definitely heighten the possibility of a good solid search engine listing. Basically, ensuring that your website is listed among the top results rather than buried on page 510 where no one will ever find you.

When it comes to keywords, the first question asked is generally, "How do I choose the best ones?"

The good news is, you don't always have to. If you happen to know of other websites that contain the same type of information or product as yours, simply go directly to those sites and call up their source code (click on "View" and then "source" or right-click the page and then choose "View Source" from the pop-up menu).

Jot down the most relevant keywords that each of the websites are using. Most likely, they will be the first keywords or phrases in whatever list happens to be there (in the keyword META tag). Next, call up your favorite search engine and type in those same keywords one at a time.

For each keyword that you search with, check out the websites that are listed highest in the results and view their source codes as well. That way you can cross reference the best of the best with regard to what keywords you yourself should be using.

Additionally, you can use a software program or service that will assist you in choosing the best keywords. For example, one of the best services available is WordTracker. It not only includes web searches, it allows you to come up with additional words and phrases related to keywords you've already chosen.

You can also download a free program called Good Keywords. Aside from helping you find the right keywords, it allows you to "analyze your competition and study the search engines more extensively".

Once you've made a solid list of valuable words and phrases, you'll of course include them in the keyword meta tag. Always list them in order of relevance, though, starting with the most important ones.

As far as whether or not you should put commas between keywords or keyword phrases, there's several different opinions. Some say you should include commas, some argue about whether there should be spaces after the commas, and still others insist you should never use commas at all.

1. software, computer software, software development, financial software
   
   
2. software,computer software,software development,financial software
   
   
3. software computer software software development financial software
   
   

The jury is still out on which method is superior or even whether or not there is a superior method. The theory behind the third option is that any and all combinations of the words themselves will be utilized by search engine spiders.

Personally, I use commas and spaces. But since the keyword meta tag no longer carries the relevance it once did, I'm not sure it really matters what method you choose. However, my opinion is...

If you've gone to all the trouble of seeking out and choosing the most relevant keywords for your particular web page, you might as well confidently list them exactly as they are. And that would definitely require commas. Again, just my opinion. ;-)

Now let's talk about quantity. Some websites list only a few relevant keywords while others include dozens and dozens of keywords and keyword variations within their meta tag. Is one method superior to the other? Not necessarily. However...

The keywords listed in your meta tag should be the ones that you're actually targeting. Which would be the same ones you've included within the page content.

Also, you never want to repeat the same keyword over and over again. That's considered "spider spamming" and it could very well prevent your website from being listed altogether.

Another thing you absolutely must avoid is using keywords that are "hot" but have nothing to do with your particular website. Keep in mind that you're dealing with search engines here and the purpose of keywords is to attract targeted viewers.