Which keyword to use (plural / singular)
-
Hi guys. So I'm racking my brain with a question whether I should use plural or singular keyword as a focus keyphrase of my page. The page that I'm optimizing is basically a review page of different websites offering proofreading services.
Considering the fact that this is a review and I mention a lot of websites on my page, I decided to rank for a plural keyword that ends with "services". However, this keyword is very unpopular (ahrefs doesn't show any volume for it), while singular "service" has about 100 searches per month.
As far as I understand, Google sees both keywords as synonyms, because search results for both keywords are almost identical. Should I change my keyphrase to singular "service" (even though the page mentions a lot of services), or stick with "services" instead?
Do I have a chance of ranking for "service" if I stick with "services" in this case?
Thank you.
-
If the website is fairly old you could also use Google Webmaster Tools: https://search.google.com/ to do this type of research. Go to Performance > click +New tab and enter the page URL. You should check if ppl are searching for singular or plural more.
Now the importance of this is based on user intend, you should ask your self the following question: "Do you provide a LIST /MULTIPLE or things / services or one single service?"
Google may show your page higher in rankings if you use plural and you provide multiple services as it's more relevant. Once you start ranking for plural and users interaction is good (ppl stay on your site, they click action button etc) you will also rank for the singular.
Depending on what you provide you should write the title according to this principle: If you only offer one single thing write singular, otherwise always use plural.
Check out the competitors, check out their title, do they use singular / plural or both? How long is their title, how often they use singular how often they the plural in title.
Another trick: Let's say most searches go for "best service" as singular but you notice a lot of queries with "top","list" or other combinations. As a test you may want to use both plural ans singular in a single title combining this with other relevant searched keywords. For example I would use: Selling Best Services - Top Service List for the situation above and see what happens in a few weeks.
-
Over the past few years, I've tended to use & write for both. There is no hard & fast rule other than writing for the user - intent & context.
-
Hi ghgj2222j,
Please, don't only focus on keywords for its search volume... Focus on WHAT USERS ARE SEARCHING. Usually the most searched is also how users are searching for your product/service.
There is no simple answer for your issue. I'd use logic and common sense there, do you know how users search for your service? In Google Search Console, can you relate impressions with that search volume?
On a side note, placing a keyword in the title and meta description won't send your page to the top, its just another signal for users.
I'd strongly recommend you to take a deep read to these resources:
The Beginner's Guide to SEO: Search Engine Optimization - Moz, specifically the forth chapter: On-Page optimization
And Google has their own guide: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide - Google Search Console HelpHope it helps.
Best luck.
Gaston -
Can I use proper keyword in the meta title or just my word like that Cargo in Dubai its proper keyword its volume 2400/mo? Can I use this keyword in different sequence like that Cargo from Dubai to Iraq? but its complete sentence has 0 volume. please give the answer if possible.
and also check my website URL and Meta Title. Our services from Dubai to Iraq, Dubai to Suadi Arab, Dubai to Turkey, and more than 200 Destination.
I use in URL address just shipping to Iraq, Shipping to Suadi Arab, but most competitors website used "cargo from Dubai to Iraq" but its volume not "0" so What I need for that,
https://www.bbccargo.ae/services/air-cargo/
https://www.bbccargo.ae/destination/shipping-to-iraq/
https://www.bbccargo.ae/destination/shipping-to-kuwait/
please check my URL and give the best Solution for that..
-
Thank you so very much, Gaston! You helped me a lot!
-
Hi Aslan,
The answer here should be to target the phrase that best matches the user intent.
If Google considers you as a good answer for "services" will also be a good answer for "service". Probably won't rank on the same position, yet will be on the same page.
As English is not my mother tongue, I'll try to help you with how I'd solve it.First of all, please don't rely on private metrics and private tools that try to simulate what's seen on google. They do their best but **never will reflect **how Google ranks a page nor how many impressions it might have.
This is the way I'd try to solve this issue:
- As you already have some research, I'd go with that: "... services", the plural one.
- After some time, you'll see in GSC on which phrases your page is ranking.
- There you can check whether the plural or singular version has more search volume
- Update your content with some extra information and, if needed, change the main phrase. Google will reward you
- Go back to 2.
Hope it helps,
Best luck.
Gaston
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Keywords with and without diacritics
Hi, I am trying to make my site to appear in the search results even the searched term have or have not been wrote with diacritics for example: "șarpe" or "sarpe". The language is Romanian. If I seach for "Românul cu maşină, marea victimă" or "Romanul cu masina, marea victima" the first result for both searches is the same. I don't see anything special on their html code and I am wondering how do they did it. Regards, Bogdan
Keyword Research | | RIAdig0 -
How do I find what keywords competitors are ranking for?
I am just starting out doing come SEO research. I seem to remember a tool that would tell me which words my competitors are ranking for and what kind of traffic they are getting. Thanks, Lisa
Keyword Research | | lisarein0 -
Best Tools for Keyword Research?
Hi guys, Please share your best and recommended tools for keyword research. Thanks in advance.
Keyword Research | | KLLC0 -
Keywords for fabrication (welding) company??
I've been tasked with finding the keywords for our website. The difficulty I'm finding is receiving help from the fabrication personal to suggest keywords. I'm not sure if its peoples imagination or if there's a general unwillingness. Can anyone make any suggestions here? Is there a fabrication or welding keyword database I can put to them and hopefully get their brains working? Or even a way to see what keywords our competitors use?
Keyword Research | | Resolver1010 -
Can I target the same keywords on multiple sites?
I am launching a series of geographically specific sites to support my main website. Is there any problem with targeting the same keywords on both sites?
Keyword Research | | theLotter0 -
How effective the use of preposition in title tag?
I would like to know the value of preposition on title tag and the impact on search engine queries. As for example, I would like to know the difference between TOURS TO NEPAL and TOURS NEPAL keyword, how they had a impact on search engine queries.
Keyword Research | | SuMoksha0 -
Local Keyword Strategy
Good morning! I'm working on building out a new website for a regional insurance agency specializing in auto insurance for high risk drivers (ex. Tickets, Accidents, Dui's, etc.). Due to the competitive nature of our industry, I believe it is best to focus on very localized long tail keywords, instead of broad terms I don't have any chance of ranking for. Our keyword research indicates that there is an opportunity to optimize and potentially rank for keywords that include geographic modifiers for towns and cities within a roughly 50 mile radius. The problem is, there is only so much you can say about auto insurance. On the one hand, I would like to have individual landing pages for each keyword phrase. On the other hand, I don't want to look manipulative to Google or hurt user experience by creating a bunch of pages with relatively similar content. Can anyone offer some advice on how I can structure the site/content to optimize for each geographic modifier without having lots of pages that are very similar? Thank you!
Keyword Research | | matthewbyers0 -
Is there a better keyword tool than google's adwords keyword tool?
I have heard a lot of people say not to trust the results of google adword's keyword tool. Is there a better tool out there that i am not aware of that can judge local monthly and global monthly search volume?
Keyword Research | | adriandg1