Do SEO Keywords need to be Exact?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska [Pexels]

Do SEO Keywords need to be Exact?:

Yes, SEO keywords need to be exact. But, here is what you should really care about before you don’t get hurt.

Writing SEO content requires exact keywords for certain HTML elements such as URLs, title tags, meta descriptions, and H1s.

To get the best SEO possible, these elements need to have the exact keyword you want to rank for. In other places, you can get away with using a variation of your keyword instead.

Using Exact SEO Keywords:

I recommend using keyword research tools to determine which keywords are best for your website or content including those keywords with variations around the content you are planning to write, to improve chances of ranking for your target keyword.

If you plan to use the exact keywords as often as possible within the website content, ensure it doesn’t feel or sound spammy as search engines are well designed from various perspectives, and more focus should be on the content which is of high quality [people first content] and then optimized.

How To Use Keywords?:

Here is how to use keywords:

Image Source - Semrush

You may take advantage of long-tail keywords which are more specific and targeted and can help you attract more qualified traffic to your website or content or blog post.

For example, if you're optimizing for the keyword "cars", you could also try using phrases like "best cars for families" or "most efficient electric cars". This will help your content appear in more specific searches.

Keyword Difficulty vs Competitive Density:

Image Source - Semrush

Competition shows how many advertisers are bidding on the keyword relative to all the keywords across Google.

It helps to understand how competitive the keyword is [For example 70 - 100 High, 35 - 69 Medium, and 0 - 34 Low].

Of course, depending on the kind of keyword research tool you use, this changes slightly.

Watch the sample video here [with examples of SEO keywords]:

Pro-Tip: To stay ahead of the competition and rank well timely, SEO is a continuous process that requires regular monitoring.

Overall, yes, SEO keywords have to be exact. It is also important to focus on creating content that is relevant, informative, and useful to your target audience, rather than just trying to include as many keywords.

This will help you attract more organic traffic and improve your website's search engine ranking over time.

Bonus Tip: Skyrocket Your SEO Content Generation Efforts: Harness Writesonic AI for 10X Blogging Success!

FAQs:

Do Keywords have to be One Word?:

No, keywords don't have to be just one word. In fact, some keywords might be as long as 6–8 words. These are typically referred to as long-tail keywords.

You can refer to several keyword variations from the video up top as well as from the keyword infographic image below.

Where do Keywords go in a Website?:

Keywords go in a website at all these locations:

• Title Tags

• Meta Description

• Headings, and Sub-Headings

• Throughout the content strategically [without keyword stuffing].

• Page Titles

• Alt Text

• URL

How Many Keywords Do You Need for SEO?:

The number of keywords you need for SEO can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• the size and scope of your website or blog,

• your target audience,

• your business niche,

• competition,

• your content context, and

• your overall marketing strategy.

However, keep in mind that as the number of words in a keyword phrase [or search query] increases, the search volume declines and possibly even keyword difficulty reduces, making it easier for you to target and generate more traffic and higher rankings using that keyword.

Also, please note that SEO is not just about keywords. It's about creating high-quality content that engages and satisfies your target audience. Focus on providing valuable information, answering questions, and addressing pain points.

Here's related information that you may also find helpful - What is a Good Keyword Search Volume?

P.S: Visit Digital Marketing Forum that answers [most un-answered] questions.

P.S.S: Please don’t forget to forward this blog post to your network so they can get the best tips, practices, strategies, education, resources, & tools to help their businesses grow [sharing is caring].