How many keywords max can I optimize each page for?

[sub9090]

I don't want to over optimize by doing 1 keyword per 1 page, but then if I do more, seomoz on-page tool report doesn't give an A grade for each keyword I optimize.

I usually optimize for max 3 keywords that are very closely related, meaning they use the same words.  Ex.

dentist los angeles, los angeles dentist, dentist in los angeles

Am I on the right track or what's your recommendation? Should I create different landing pages for each keyword?

[THMCC]

Hi, are you talking about the keywords that one can add to a page or words that make up the title and content tags? Thanks.

[RyanKent]

Google does not care if you target 1 keyword or 10. The problem you face is, all other factors being equal, a competitor who only targets one word on a page will always beat a page which targets multiple words.

Ranking in search engines is purely a competition. I recommend you go all out and try to rank #1 (or as high as reasonably possibly). Once you have achieved top rankings for your primary keyword, THEN you can try to get greedy and diversify to multiple keywords.

[sub9090]

Yes but then how get a good on-page optimization if you are doing like 10 keywords per page? I mean, it's not possible to put 10 keywords on title, h1, url etc. Don't you think Google will question what the site is all about if you go more than 2-3, it's just becomes very difficult.

[lethal0r]

i would quickly add, if you don't have much linkjuice then stick to 2 terms max per page.

[RyanKent]

Below are the results of the keywords you shared (and more) from SEMrush (www.semrush.com).

Based on those results, I would focus on "dentist los angeles". That is tied for first place as the term with the most traffic. Next, you have a choice as to which you place the most importance upon..."dentist" or "los angeles". I prefer your niche rather then your location. Why? It is far more relevant to capture searches for "Dentist ???" then for "los angeles ???".

In competitive niches, you usually need to focus a single keyword target per page. If you focus more then one, you can or will be beat by others who practice more focused SEO on their page.

| Keyword | Δ Volume | CPC | Com. | Results | Trend | |
| dentist los angeles | 1,300 | 14.69 | 0.87 | 19,500,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| los angeles dentist | 1,300 | 15.52 | 0.89 | 19,800,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| cosmetic dentist los angeles | 590 | 22.86 | 0.98 | 2,050,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| dentist in los angeles | 480 | 11.62 | 0.94 | 21,900,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| los angeles cosmetic dentist | 480 | 20.84 | 0.90 | 3,940,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| los angeles dentists | 480 | 12.24 | 0.85 | 9,600,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| dentist in los angeles ca | 260 | 10.57 | 0.90 | 8,740,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| los angeles cosmetic dentists | 260 | 11.18 | 0.92 | 3,730,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| dentists in los angeles | 210 | 10.85 | 0.85 | 9,600,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |
| dentist west los angeles | 210 | 9.22 | 0.88 | 7,800,000 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

|   |

[Adam.Whittles]

There are no hard and fast rules for how many keywords you can optimize each page for. It can be as little as one word to a many as ten or more.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/tactical-seo-how-many-termsphrases-should-i-target-on-a-single-page