Moz Q&A is closed.
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.
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
-
Minor languages keyword research
Hello, I am in charge of doing a keyword research for several small countries in Europe, namely Hungary, Estonia and Latvia.
Keyword Research | | Lvet
I normally use the Keyword planner for Google Ads, but for Hungarian, Estonian and Latvian this tools seems to find no results for the keywords related to my websites. For example, in Hungarian the keyword "ajak toltoanyagok" ("lip fillers" in English) doesn't give any results (and yes, I am targeting my searches to Hungary and Hungarian). I have the same problems with Latvian and Estonian. Is there another tool that I could use and that could give me better results? Help! Cheers Luca rONwtZt0 -
What kind of SEO keywords should a recruitment company use?
I am relatively new to the world of SEO and have been given responsibility to improve SEO rankings for our company website (which is full of jobs). We are London based digital media recruiters and work in a number of niche industries. Should job titles be the keywords I try and optimise, as opposed to keywords such as 'digital media recruitment london', 'London digital marketing jobs', 'digital media recruiters in london' etc? Today I have signed up for a month's trial on Moz Pro so am hoping this will provide me with a lot of help as I start creating an SEO strategy, Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Keyword Research | | SumoAlice0 -
Keyword ranking by word order
If we have a keyword with 2 words like "SSL Audit". Will it rank in the same position the other way "Audit SSL" ?
Keyword Research | | Cistrust.com0 -
Keyword research tools
So I went to a panel a while back that said Wordtracker is basically useless. I'm not using it as an end-all, be-all, but more for insights and context. Do you agree with that statement? The hosting company provides a keyword research tool, so I wasn't sure how seriously to take it. Have you guys been using Bing for the search data previously provided by Google's Keyword Research Tool? Do you find that to be a viable resource? Thanks.
Keyword Research | | SSFCU0 -
Longtail keyword definition seems fuzzy?
So we all know about longtail keyword vs. short tail. However, it seems that the definition is a bit inconsistant. Some people say longtail keywords are keywords that get very low amounts of traffic, others that they are key phrases with 2 or more words. And others add to this that they have high conversion rate but describe specific features, product, service, model # etc. In an ideal model I suppose all of these things would be true. As keyword length increases, traffic tends to decrease, keyword is more specific pointing at features, model#, specific product etc and therefore the conversion rate is a bit higher as well. However, the data isn't a perfect curve. I will see keywords that get 18,000 searches but have 4 words. And then I will see single word key phrases that get <10 -20 searches a month. What am I to consider these? Its like they fit half the criteria. Any comments on this would be helpful and appreciated. I suppose the real question I am after is - it seems like the real definition of a long tail keyword cant be any of the above traits of a long tail keyword. How do you really define a long tail keyword in all circumstances (without it being this subjective idealized definition based on a perfect model) and where would the keyword circumstances (lots of words but high traffic, and low traffic but 1 word) fall in the graph? Center?
Keyword Research | | eastco0 -
Keyword Moderator List
Hi Moz Community, I'm wondering if anyone has a comprehensive list of keyword moderators that they could share? For example: online
Keyword Research | | IrishTimes
buy [keyword] online
cheap
cheapest
best
top
free
[country name]
[area name]
store
shop
purchase etc... I always find that it's useful to run [keyword + moderator] for search volumes as it sometimes uncovers some exact match surprises that you may not have thought of. Thanks everyone! Gavin1 -
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 -
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