Are on-page optimization tools becoming outdated?
-
So from what I've noticed, Google is using a lot of semantics in their algorithm. When it comes to using a tool to determine on-page, keyword/phrase factors, most on-page optimization tools check exact matches and give you a rating and suggestion based on that. What about synonyms and "natural", related terms?
My question is, are these tools becoming more inaccurate by not using semantic/synonym checks?
-
I am beginning to think that these factors as outline my @Journeyman actualyl can get you some penalty points. And end up reducing your overall ranking.
I think it is as Matt Cutts and Rand have being saying for ages. Write content for people not machines.
-
_Yes, there are some factors that I do not think apply any longer like - _
Keyword Usage in Bold/Strong/Emphasized/Italics
Keyword Usage in URL [not possible if you are targeting multiple keywords]
Keyword Usage in Image Alt Attribute [we should not be focusing on keywords only while creating alt tags for images]
Exact Keyword Usage in DocumentExact Keyword Usage in Page Title [not that important] -
I'm referring to on-page checkers that our clients are using to check for themselves (including SEOmoz's one), and it gets very difficult to explain to them why the tool isn't the most accurate. In the end it looks like we're not doing our job.
-
_I do not think you should be using on page tools for checking out keywords density and all that. No, these tools are obsolete long ago. But yes you can always use Screaming Frog for checking the following on page factors -
pages with duplicate meta data
Pages with double h1 tags
Pages with meta data
Pages with 301 and 404 response code_
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
-
SEO question for page keyword focus - how to make it sound natural
So I have a page that sells say hockey sticks and the site is situated in Australia. My Keyword focus for the page would be hockey sticks Australia.
Keyword Research | | eulabrant0 -
How do I optimize my online directory website?
I am starting a directory website. The biggest issue that I am having is trying to figure out which keywords to use and how to optimize for them. I am using Wordpress and we have overall category pages, such as Hair & Beauty. And then we have filters for users to reach subcategories such as, Skincare. My problem is that these subcategories are not actual pages, when the filter is used it just returns businesses within that category that have been marked to show for that filter. The URL doesn't change or it doesn't take you to a new page. So, I am trying to determine how do I optimize for my subcategory keywords if these aren't technically pages?
Keyword Research | | JazSimmons0 -
Wordpress SEO: Category page + Product page or only category page?
Trying to improving my website's ranks on google for a specific keyword (e.g. Samsung S6), I'm thinking about doing some experiments. I've a wordpress based blog. Now, I've the category "Samsung S6" (url: example.com/samsung-s6), with only the latest 6 news (with excerpts) + pagination. This ranks good, but it's a bit ugly as a landing page and I want a better rank. I could improve this page by customizing the template and adding some static text, but it could be a time-consuming solution considering that I'm using a third party theme and I should check this every update. Also, it's harder to customize this page then the next solution: I'm thinking about creating a new page Samsung S6 (url: example.com/samsungs6). This page will contain a product overlay (e.g. RAM, HD, screen size etc.), + product description with features and a small review of it's elements (e.g. camera description with results, suggested applications etc.) + some images/youtube videos + latest 6 news (without excerpts) + some links to other relevant pages in my website for that product, including a link to the category page. What will happen in terms of SEO? Any idea if the new page could rank better than the category page, considering that it has more static elements? Not sure if google could detects duplicates, or two page comepting for the same keyword on the same website is a bad thing. Which are your ideas? Is it ok to have two pages competing for the same keyword on the same website?
Keyword Research | | daimpa0 -
Is there an Optimal number of Keywords i should promote per site?
Good morning, When trying to select my best keywords to promote, i am trying to find the max number of keyword that i will promote and that can still be affective. From your experience, what is this number? Thank you SEOwise
Keyword Research | | iivgi0 -
Do you use broad match or exact match on Adwords Keyword Tool when doing keyword research?
I wasn't sure whether to classify this as a discussion or a question. I'd love "the right answer" but I'm not sure if we're going to get one... Let's try. When you use the Adwords Keyword Tool for doing keyword research, do you use the numbers from "broad match" or "exact match" when comparing relative search volume of keywords? (And yes, I know the numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt, but when it comes down to it, you're using the numbers to compare and come to conclusions regarding the best keyword to use - so which match type gives you the data you're looking for?) To be a little more specific - when you select "exact match" for, let's say the keyword "baking supplies", is that telling you how many people searched for that phrase within quotes <"baking supplies">, or how many people searched for only <baking supplies="">, as opposed to that word within a phrase <baking supplies="" stores="">or with the words reversed <supplies baking="">?</supplies></baking></baking> Based on some keyword research we had done a year ago where any phrase reversals like <water bottles="">and <bottles water="">were coming out with the exact same numbers, even when it wasn't so intuitive that there would be the same search volume, we came to the conclusion - with the tentative suggestion of the SEOMoz staff on the old Q & A - that broad match would include all instances of the keywords in reverse order, so if you wanted to know how many people were searching for <water bottles="">only, you needed to use exact match. </water></bottles></water> That's what we did for about a year (I also think I saw Rand mention that somewhere in a presentation slide recently, although I could be mistaken and I don't recall exactly where it was to check it up) and then based on a recent forum discussion I had where someone was questioning that premise, I did another check with two KW reversals and while <water bottles="">and <bottles water="">still give the same number, <baking supplies="">and <supplies baking="">do not. </supplies></baking></bottles></water> So I'm left with a big question here as to what the best policy is. Google Adwords Help is very vague on what the match type means in the tool (it seems to be talking about only your settings for your campaigns). So - any input after this long saga? Thanks!
Keyword Research | | debi_zyx0 -
The tools "term extractor" and "explore links" consistently give no data
I am accessing these tools from the "Rankings Report" page and looking at competitors pages. I click on the dropdown next to the keyword and select either "extract terms" or "explore links". In both cases I get a message that says SEOmoz has no data for the page in question. This happens consistently for many keywords and pages. What gives?
Keyword Research | | GPN0 -
Google Keyword Tool
I have been analysing some specific seasonal keywords in terms of search volume within the Google keyword tool. When I download the google keyword volume for each term, this is displayed as a monthly average. I am wanting to get search volume over previous months which I am sure the Google keyword tool used to offer Does anyone have a solution to this? Thanks Simon
Keyword Research | | simonsw0 -
What keyword research tools do you recommend to help with SEO?
We are looking for a keyword research tool to help with our SEO efforts for our ecommerce site. We sell food gifts and are looking for a tool to help us identify which keywords we should go after. Beyond Google's free tool - what tools would you recommend? We are willing to pay for a tool.
Keyword Research | | agolomb1