Keyword Density
Percentage ratio of keywords to total word count (Keyword Density).
Keyword density is an outdated metric that shows how many times a keyword phrase appears in a text relative to the total word count. In the past, SEOs aimed for 3–5% density, but modern search engines (especially Google) evaluate content using more complex algorithms, including TF‑IDF, BERT, and contextual analysis.
Why density is outdated
In the past, optimisers mechanically calculated keyword percentages and aimed for a 'golden mean'. Today, Google’s algorithms understand synonyms and context, and density is just one of many signals. Moreover, chasing a specific percentage often led to stuffing.
What replaced density
- TF‑IDF — evaluates word importance in a document relative to a collection of documents.
- LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) and BERT — understanding meaning through context.
- Semantic coverage — how completely the topic is covered using related terms.
Connection to stuffing
Attempting to artificially raise density to 5–7% often leads to keyword stuffing. Instead, write naturally, satisfy intents, and use diverse topic‑related words.
Common questions
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