What Is Keyword?
A keyword is a word or short group of words that someone types into a search box to find something online. For example, if you type pizza near me that whole phrase is a keyword.
Definition
In SEO a keyword is the main word or phrase that shows what a page is about and what search it should appear for. When many people search for that same word the page can get more visitors if it matches the search well.
Why Keyword Matters
Keywords are important because they connect what people want with what a website offers. When you pick the right keyword for a page you can
- Reach people who are already interested in your topic
- Get more free traffic from search engines
- Write clearer titles and headings
- Help search engines understand your content better
How Keywords Work
When someone types a keyword into a search engine the system looks through many pages and asks
- Does this page talk about this keyword or topic
- Does it give helpful clear information
- Do users seem to like this page
Pages that match the search and give good help have a better chance to show higher in the results.
Keyword vs Search Query
A search query is the exact words a person types. A keyword is the word or phrase that website owners choose and plan for in their content. One keyword can match many similar search queries.
Example of Keyword
If you run a small bakery your keywords could be chocolate cake recipe gluten free cookies or bakery in Dallas. You would use each keyword on a page that fully answers that search.
FAQs
What is a long tail keyword
It is a longer more detailed keyword like best running shoes for flat feet. It usually has fewer searches but brings more focused visitors.
How many keywords should I use on one page
Focus on one main keyword and a few close related keywords. Write for people first and do not repeat words in an unnatural way.
Do keywords still matter for SEO
Yes they matter but search engines also look at meaning quality and user experience. Good content around the keyword is more important than just repeating it.
Where should I put my main keyword
Use it in the page title main heading at least one subheading and a few times in the text while keeping the writing natural and easy to read.