SEO Copywriting

Why Keyword Repetition is Not Enough, Not Effective and Not For You

Just the other day, I was at lunch with a friend who was in the process of launching her business website.  Seeing I am a professional content writer (and the mystic solver of life's great mysteries), she asked me for my advice regarding SEO copywriting.  She, like so many others, was hoping to add content to her website that would maximize her performance in the search engines. 

At first, she seemed to have an understanding of search engine optimization and what it could do for her site until she so proudly blurted, "I can just repeat a keyword phrase like 10 - 15 times in my web page and then it is optimized, right?"

WRONG - so very wrong - and on so many levels.

If you are about to attempt SEO copywriting, my number one piece of advice would be his:  do not repeat the same keyword phrase over and over.  Lots of people make this mistake when writing for the search engines, but I tell you now it is ineffective.  Optimizing your content should never involve repetitive, thoughtless keyword phrases that are typed again and again. 

Rather, your copy should target a well-researched keyword phrase.  You should repeat your keyword phrase 2 - 3 times (for every 400 words).  Overdoing it will only make your content dull in the eyes and minds of your users.  Additionally, search engines like Google have a way of picking up on continual keyword repetition and may categorize your content and website as spam.  This could lead to your site or page getting kicked out of the search engines, which is never a good thing.

Instead of being mindless, use your keyword phrase when appropriate and create thoughtful content that informs, flows and incites interest.  See the example below for bad and good keyword usage: 

BAD SEO Copywriting Example (keyword phrase targeted = "Los Angeles SEO"):

Los Angeles SEO is important if you own a website in Los Angeles.  When you own a website, you need Los Angeles SEO to achieve a high page rank.  Without Los Angeles SEO, your website will not perform.  Contact our Los Angeles SEO Company to learn more about Los Angeles SEO!

GOOD SEO Copywriting Example (keyword phrase targeted = "Los Angeles SEO"):

If you own a business in Los Angeles, California, chances are that you have a company website and that you rely heavily upon search engine optimization (SEO) to market your services online.  Like most business owners, you probably know that achieving a high page rank is essential to the success of your business as most people rely upon search to find local companies.  What you may not know is what SEO strategies can improve your overall page rank.  Thankfully, there are Los Angeles SEO companies out there like Star Content that can help.  To learn more, contact us today!

Now I ask, which paragraph reads better to you and which would you be more likely to respond to?  Incorporate that answer when you are in the process of writing optimized content and you will not only delight your users, but your site will perform better in the search engines (see - I told you I could solve life's greater mysteries)! 

This article was written by Amber Khan, founder of Star Content.