If you’re trying to get your content seen on Google, keywords matter, but not in the way many people think. It’s easy to assume that using as many keywords as possible will boost your rankings. But in today’s SEO landscape, quality matters far more than quantity. In this guide, we’ll answer the common question, “How many keywords should I use for SEO,” and walk you through how to choose the right keywords and use them naturally to connect with your audience and improve your search visibility.
How Many Keywords Should You Use?
Here’s the straightforward answer: focus on one primary keyword per page, supported by 3-5 secondary keywords. This approach has proven most effective for ranking well in search engine results pages while maintaining content quality.
One Primary Keyword Per Page
Your primary keyword should be the main topic of your web page. Think of it as the central theme that everything else revolves around. When you focus on just one primary keyword, you create content with a clear purpose that both search engines understand and users find valuable.
This doesn’t mean you can only use that exact phrase once. You should naturally incorporate your target keyword throughout your content, aiming for a keyword density of about 1-2%. For a 1,000-word blog post, this means using your main keyword roughly 10-20 times in a natural way.
Supporting with Secondary Keywords
Secondary keywords are related keywords that support your primary topic. These might include:
- Long tail keywords (more specific, longer phrases)
- Related keywords that cover subtopics
- LSI keywords (latent semantic indexing keywords that are contextually related)
- Keyword variations of your main term
For example, if your primary keyword is “digital marketing,” your secondary keywords might include “online marketing strategies,” “social media marketing,” and “content marketing tips.”
Understanding Primary and Secondary Keywords
Primary Keywords
A good primary keyword should reflect your main topic, match search intent, have solid search volume, and be specific enough to rank. It belongs in your title, meta description, URL, and naturally throughout your content to help both readers and search engines understand what your page is about.
Secondary Keywords
Secondary keywords support your main keyword by adding context, covering related topics, and capturing different search phrases. They help you stay relevant, provide more in-depth content, and avoid keyword stuffing while improving your chances of ranking for a wider range of searches.
Keyword Research: Finding the Right Keywords
Best Keyword Research Tools
Finding relevant keywords starts with solid research. Free tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and Google’s autocomplete can help you uncover the terms people use to find your site and suggest related searches.
For deeper insights, paid tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Keysearch offer advanced features such as competitor analysis, keyword difficulty, and detailed variations, making it easier to build a targeted and effective SEO strategy.
How to Research Keywords Effectively
- Start with a seed keyword related to your business
- Use keyword research tools to find variations and related terms
- Analyze competitor websites to see what keywords they target
- Check search intent to ensure your keywords match user goals
- Consider search volume and difficulty in finding realistic targets
Where and How to Use Keywords
Strategic Keyword Placement
Your keywords should appear in these key locations:
- Title tag (most important)
- Meta description
- URL slug
- H1 header (should match or be very similar to title)
- H2 and H3 subheaders (use secondary keywords here)
- First paragraph of your content
- Image alt text
- Throughout the content naturally
Avoiding Keyword Stuffing
Keyword stuffing is the practice of overloading your content with keywords in an unnatural way, which can hurt your rankings. Instead, write for humans first, use keywords naturally in context, focus on delivering value, and vary your language with synonyms and related terms to keep your content clear and effective.
Different Content Types, Different Strategies
Blog Posts and Articles
For blog articles, stick to the one primary keyword rule. Each post should target a specific keyword and cover that topic thoroughly. This approach helps you build authority on multiple topics over time. Secondary keywords can support the content naturally without shifting the main focus.
Product and Service Pages
These pages can often target slightly more keywords since they need to cover various aspects of what you offer. However, still maintain focus on one main keyword per page. Use related terms to highlight features, benefits, and common customer questions.
Homepage and Main Pages
Your homepage can target multiple keywords related to your business, but they should all be closely related to your main services or products. Group keywords by theme to keep messaging clear and avoid overwhelming search engines or visitors.
Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Targeting Too Many Keywords Per Page
When you try to target multiple keywords that aren’t closely related, you dilute your content’s focus. Search engines get confused about what your page is actually about, and users may not find what they’re looking for. It’s better to create separate pages for different keyword themes.
Ignoring Search Intent
Not all keywords are created equal. Someone searching for “how to do SEO” has a different intent than someone searching for “SEO services.” Make sure your content matches what searchers actually want. Aligning with intent improves engagement and increases the chances of ranking.
Forgetting About User Experience
Keywords should enhance your content, not make it awkward to read. If including a keyword makes your sentence sound unnatural, find a different way to incorporate it or use a variation. A smooth, helpful reading experience keeps visitors on your site longer.
How Many Keywords Should You Track?
To track your SEO progress, focus on monitoring 1 to 4 keywords per page, along with your top 20 to 50 most important keywords overall. Keep an eye on competitor keywords and any brand-related searches to spot new opportunities. Tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or other SEO platforms can help you track rankings, measure performance, and adjust your strategy as needed.
Conclusion
When it comes to SEO, less really is more. By focusing on one strong primary keyword and a few well-chosen secondary keywords per page, you can create targeted, high-quality content that ranks well and delivers value to your readers. Understanding keyword intent, avoiding common mistakes like stuffing or targeting unrelated terms, and placing keywords strategically can make a big difference in your site’s performance.
Struggling to find the right keywords or not sure how to implement them effectively? At ChitChat Marketing, we help small businesses build smarter SEO strategies that actually work. Contact us today to boost your visibility and turn your content into consistent traffic and leads. Our team will tailor a strategy that fits your goals, industry, and audience.
FAQs
What is a good number of keywords for SEO?
Focus on 1 primary keyword and 3-5 secondary keywords per page for optimal SEO results. Avoid targeting many seo keywords on a single page, as this dilutes your content’s focus and confuses search engines about your main topic.
What is the ideal number of words for SEO?
Aim for 1,000-3,000 words for blog posts, with longer content (2,000+ words) typically performing better for competitive keywords. Longer content allows you to cover topics more comprehensively and naturally incorporate keyword variations without appearing spammy.
How many keywords should I use for 1000 words?
Use your primary keyword 10-20 times (1-2% density) and secondary keywords 3-5 times each throughout a 1,000-word article. Never repeat the same keyword excessively in an unnatural way, as this constitutes keyword stuffing and can harm your rankings.
