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    4. I thought META KEYWORDS tag was dead?

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    After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.

    I thought META KEYWORDS tag was dead?

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    • vmialik
      vmialik last edited by

      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.?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • mike-gart
        mike-gart last edited by

        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

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • ThompsonPaul
          ThompsonPaul @Dr-Pete last edited by

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

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

          Paul

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • vmialik
            vmialik @Dr-Pete last edited by

            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?

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • KeriMorgret
              KeriMorgret last edited by

              Oh meta keywords, curse you and your inevitable betrayal.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • RobertFisher
                RobertFisher @Dr-Pete last edited by

                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.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                • MiriamEllis
                  MiriamEllis Subject Expert @Dr-Pete last edited by

                  Pete, you crack me up:)

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • Dr-Pete
                    Dr-Pete Staff @RobertFisher last edited by

                    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.

                    MiriamEllis RobertFisher ThompsonPaul 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                    • RobertFisher
                      RobertFisher @Dr-Pete last edited by

                      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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • Dr-Pete
                        Dr-Pete Staff last edited by

                        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?

                        RobertFisher vmialik 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                        • KeriMorgret
                          KeriMorgret @RobertFisher last edited by

                          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!

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • stevecounsell
                            stevecounsell @Ron_McCabe last edited by

                            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/

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • vmialik
                              vmialik @SEOSHARK last edited by

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

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • SEOSHARK
                                SEOSHARK @vmialik last edited by

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

                                vmialik 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • vmialik
                                  vmialik @CleverPhD last edited by

                                  They don't call you clever for no reason 😉

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • vmialik
                                    vmialik last edited by

                                    @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 😄

                                    SEOSHARK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • vmialik
                                      vmialik @RobertFisher last edited by

                                      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 🙂

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • CleverPhD
                                        CleverPhD last edited by

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

                                        vmialik 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                        • Ron_McCabe
                                          Ron_McCabe last edited by

                                          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.

                                          stevecounsell 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • SEOSHARK
                                            SEOSHARK last edited by

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

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                            • SEOSHARK
                                              SEOSHARK last edited by

                                              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" ?

                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                              • RobertFisher
                                                RobertFisher @EGOL last edited by

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

                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                • EGOL
                                                  EGOL @RobertFisher last edited by

                                                  barbequed ribs

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

                                                  RobertFisher 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • AWCthreads
                                                    AWCthreads @RobertFisher last edited by

                                                    Uh?

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • RobertFisher
                                                      RobertFisher @EGOL last edited by

                                                      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!

                                                      EGOL KeriMorgret 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 9
                                                      • RobertFisher
                                                        RobertFisher @AWCthreads last edited by

                                                        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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                        • AWCthreads
                                                          AWCthreads last edited by

                                                          **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?

                                                          RobertFisher 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                          • EGOL
                                                            EGOL @RobertFisher last edited by

                                                            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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                            • RobertFisher
                                                              RobertFisher last edited by

                                                              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

                                                              EGOL vmialik 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
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