I thought META KEYWORDS tag was dead?

[vmialik]

http://www.wpkube.com/wordpress-seo-plugin/ this article just came out as a one of the many guides to Yoast's Wordpress SEO.  I am surprised it mentioned:

• Use meta keywords tag: Google reportedly doesn’t use the keywords that your enter for your posts but as Google isn’t the only show in town, you might want to check this box.Recommendation: check

1. I stopped using meta keywords tag because Google doesn't use it any more, plus if you are in a competitive field by using keywords you are giving free keyword research to your competitors? Does any one still use meta keywords here? If so why?

2. Google doesn't use keyword tags, has anyone experienced a dis-benefit to meta-keywords tag from Google ie. dropped rankings etc.?

[mike-gart]

I read that Bing looks at the keyword tag to make sure there's nothing spammy going on. Ignore it and you'll avoid raising any red flags.

Mike

[ThompsonPaul]

"I'd have to quit my job and just drink full-time."

You say that like it's a bad thing?!

Paul

[vmialik]

Dr. Pete,

"at least one major search engine used META keywords as a spam signal in the past" - I heard that some where as well, that is partly why the question was asked

...Safe to assume some search engines still use it as a spam signal?

[KeriMorgret]

Oh meta keywords, curse you and your inevitable betrayal.

[RobertFisher]

OK, now I am confused... Scientist vs sense of humor (and a good one at that). But, how can this be???? For he is the Kwisatz Haderach!!!

Good one Pete.

[MiriamEllis]

Pete, you crack me up:)

[Dr-Pete]

That's the kind of study I don't do because I'm secretly afraid it might work and then I'd have to quit my job and just drink full-time.

[RobertFisher]

Dr. Pete,

While I agree with what you have here, I am disappointed that you are unwilling to set up a single variable study of some type focusing on the aftereffects of putting the wrong keyword meta tags in to trap the lazy, unrepentant, claimers of SEOdom, etc.

I would love to see how many cosmetic surgery sites that do liposuction would end up ranked for Saw2 barbequed ribs! as a long tail keyword!!!

If anyone can do it, you can do it. We believe in you!

Best to you and the team!

[Dr-Pete]

One warning - not to derail the discussion, which is amazing - I'm as sure as is reasonably possible that at least one major search engine used META keywords as a spam signal in the past, and I'd bet it's still corroborating evidence for Google. Probably goes without saying, but if you use it - use it well. Just because it's not a positive ranking factor doesn't mean it's not a negative ranking factor.

I agree that the competitor aspect never bothered me. Hopefully, you also use your keywords in your actual content. Otherwise, what's the point?

[KeriMorgret]

I'm working from home today and trying not to wake up my husband because I'm laughing so hard. Time to move downstairs before I read any more replies!

[stevecounsell]

I read somewhere that BING use the keyword tag as a spamming signal. Anyone else see that?

EDIT: Read that here:

http://www.semrush.com/blog/tips/the-myths-behind-meta-keywords/

[vmialik]

Thanks for your input Tom, that sounds right.  Now just curious, has anyone experienced a benefit?

[SEOSHARK]

I have seen no drop in placement with my projects that have no kw tags on Google, Bing or yahoo.

[vmialik]

They don't call you clever for no reason

[vmialik]

@Ron and others,

I am just looking for some evidence from those that use keywords to see if they help. Example maybe someone has found that some search new search engine, like duckduckgo, topsy, etc that uses meta keywords for example and they see keywords helping them get traffic from those places.  Otherwise why not is not a good enough reason for me, as its extra work to add keywords without benefit, plus it looks SEO 1.0 (think html tables, static pages) vs SEO 2.0 to me.

Thanks for adding bit of FUN to this thread BTW

[vmialik]

one of the first things I look at to judge an SEO on is whether or not they have 50 keywords per page with meta tags.

--Yup that's one of the things I look at as well

[CleverPhD]

The keyword meta tag is alive and well, they just call it the meta title nowadays

[Ron_McCabe]

I put key words in as it cannot hurt.  If it gets a few more leads per year why not :).  As far as the previous string goes I think these comments are truly silly as there are many good tools to figure out the key words you are targeting without the meta key words. So if "why not" is a good enough justification then you should do it.

[SEOSHARK]

UPDATE: wordpress all in one seo pro has the same thing keyword siggestion.......

[SEOSHARK]

Funny thread!

how would you respond to this?

Customer "Q#1" why didn't you write keyword tags for my website.....? " give proper answer"

Q#2... If Google does not care about my keyword tags than why is it listed here "cache:domain. com" ?

[RobertFisher]

Actually, I laughed my a__ off when I wrote it.

[EGOL]

barbequed ribs

OMG!   Oh, I am laughing so hard I will have to wash my glasses.

[AWCthreads]

Uh?

[RobertFisher]

I am going to start putting the wrong keywords in. So on a physician site for lipo, my keywords will be: Saw 2, barbequed ribs, Halloween 3, Dexter, cannibals, etc.

Can't wait to see that competitor rank now!

Thanks EGOL!

[RobertFisher]

Well........ if you are ranking well, they are going to try to use what you are using. Again, they are lazy and they are certainly not smart so kudos to EGOL.

[AWCthreads]

**Anybody who is lazy enough to harvest that info is lazier than smart.  Not a threat.   And, I believe in the theory that imitators come in second. **

Bravo.  A competitor is gonna look at those 5-20 meta keywords and do what?

[EGOL]

We prefer to make our client's competitors do their own work and break a sweat.

I fill that tag with BS.  That'll fix those lazy weasels.

No, honestly... I still use meta keywords.

When I write an article I write the title tag first....  "Begin with the end in mind."    Then I write the meta keywords.  Makes me think about where I am going.

Anybody who is lazy enough to harvest that info is lazier than smart.  Not a threat.   And, I believe in the theory that imitators come in second.

.....  and....   I bet Google is using meta keywords and counting those nofollow links  it's their "reverse psychology" algo to screw SEOs.  (Of course they are not counting blog and forum spam and sitewides... but nofollow links that appear to be editorially given - such as wikipedia citations - are counted at 5x the normal rate)

[RobertFisher]

Vadim

As to using it there is no negative effect re Google. The reason most do not use it is that since Google does not, why would you put the keywords in and make it easy on those who want to know what you are targeting?

We prefer to make our client's competitors do their own work and break a sweat. (Also, if I am honest, one of the first things I look at to judge an SEO on is whether or not they have 50 keywords per page with meta tags.)

Hope that helps,

best