Keyword Density and Its Use in Content

On-page website optimization mainly involves creating content related to the website and proper input of specific keywords within title tags. Proper SEO makes a website popular with its visitors and increases traffic.

Keyword Density refers to the ratio of the number of keywords used in content of a particular web page to the total number of words of content on that web page, i.e. number of keywords used on a webpage/total number of words on that page.

The keyword density of an article ranges between 2% and 12%. The appropriate keyword density is usually 8%.

If there are 400 words in an article and its keyword density is 2% for a particular keyword, then the keyword will be displayed 8 times, i.e. 2% of 400 = 8. If the keyword density is between 8% and 12% in the same article, then the keyword will be displayed 32 times or 48 times.

Frequent occurrence of a particular keyword spoils the quality of content, making it sound unnatural. Thus, use keywords depending on the total number of words of content. Basically, keyword density will vary with number of words of content. More importantly, keywords should fit appropriately in content.

Keywords and Role in Content

Keyword density plays a significant role in content as keywords decide the quality of content and its rank in the search engine results pages. Typically, websites that rank between the 1st and 20th positions in SERPs are well written and user-friendly.

While writing an article, two important things should always be kept in mind:

Content is for the readers and NOT the search engines.
Keywords are for the search engines and NOT the people.

It is not necessary to use the same keyword repeatedly throughout an article. Similar meaning and relevant keywords can also be used. This makes your content more search-friendly since no one user is going to search for specific content with just one keyword or variation of keyword. For example, a user may search with "website design", another with "web design", yet another with "website designing".

Instead of using the same keyword repeatedly, use corresponding words of similar meaning. This makes your article more searchable by the search engines and consequently, visitors.