For many WordPress website owners, the struggle to climb the ranks of search engines often begins with questions about SEO basics. Knowing how to add meta keywords in WordPress can seem daunting, especially since they play a crucial role in driving organic traffic to your site. Despite mixed opinions about their current impact on SEO, many users still want to include them in their strategy. If you're one of these users—or you're just curious about effective WordPress SEO—this guide will navigate you through the steps and best practices for adding meta keywords that make a difference.
You’ll Learn:
- What are Meta Keywords?
- Why Use Meta Keywords in WordPress?
- How to Add Meta Keywords in WordPress
- Choosing the Right Meta Keywords
- Tools to Use in WordPress for Adding Meta Keywords
- FAQs
- Summary
What are Meta Keywords?
Before diving into how to add meta keywords in WordPress, it's essential to understand what these keywords actually are. Meta keywords were once a primary method used by search engines to determine a webpage's relevance. These are a specific type of meta tag that appear in the HTML code of a webpage, signaling to search engines the key topics covered within the page content.
Why Use Meta Keywords in WordPress?
While search engines like Google no longer prioritize meta keywords due to historic issues with keyword stuffing and manipulation, Bing and other alternatives may still consider them. Including meta keywords can offer marginal SEO benefits and help with indexing in lesser-known engines or specialized directories.
How to Add Meta Keywords in WordPress
For those who wish to implement them, here is a step-by-step guide on how to add meta keywords in WordPress:
Using a Plugin
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Install a Plugin: One of the easiest methods is using an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack. Both offer straightforward interfaces for adding meta keywords.
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Activate the Feature:
- With Yoast SEO, by default, meta keywords may not be enabled. To activate them, go to the Dashboard and under SEO, follow Search Appearance -> Content Types. Here, you can toggle on the meta keywords.
- Add Meta Keywords: Once activated, each post or page editor will have a section where you can insert meta keywords. Ensure these are relevant to the content.
Manually Adding Code
For those who prefer a hands-on approach, embedding meta keywords directly into your theme’s header file can be an alternative. However, this method should be used with caution as it involves direct code manipulation.
- Access the Header.php File: Navigate to Appearance -> Theme Editor. Locate and click on the header.php file.
- Insert Code: Before the closing tag, you can insert a code snippet like:
<meta name="keywords" content="your, meta, keywords, here"> - Save Changes: Remember to save your changes after adding the code.
Choosing the Right Meta Keywords
It's crucial to select meta keywords wisely. Always focus on quality over quantity. Here are some strategies:
- Relevance: Only include keywords that are genuinely related to your content.
- Specificity: General keywords like “car” can be too broad. Opt for specific phrases like “electric car maintenance tips.”
- Competitor Research: Analyze competitor sites to see what keywords they target. Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can ease this process.
- Focus Keywords: Center around one or two focus keywords that represent your post’s main content.
Tools to Use in WordPress for Adding Meta Keywords
To facilitate adding and managing meta keywords, several WordPress plugins can be employed. Here’s a comparison:
Yoast SEO
- Usability: User-friendly interface, great for beginners.
- Extra Features: Extensive SEO analysis, readability checks, and XML sitemaps.
Rank Math
- Usability: Focused on providing more features even in the free version.
- Extra Features: Supports unlimited keywords, integrates with Google Analytics.
All in One SEO Pack
- Usability: Excellent choice for those who prefer automation.
- Extra Features: Advanced settings for seasoned webmasters and schema markup.
FAQs
1. Do Meta Keywords Still Matter?
Meta keywords are almost obsolete regarding Google SEO but can still marginally impact indexing for alternative search engines like Bing or Yahoo.
2. Can I Include Infinite Keywords?
No, it's best to limit your keywords to a few relevant terms. Too many can be flagged for keyword stuffing, potentially harming your SEO.
3. Does Every Page Need Meta Keywords?
Not necessarily. Focus on pages that target specific topics or products to maximize relevancy.
Summary
- Meta keywords might not be a significant factor for Google anymore, but adding them could still be beneficial for other channels.
- Use reliable plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to add and manage these keywords efficiently.
- Focus on quality, relevant keywords aligned with your site's content.
By learning how to add meta keywords in WordPress effectively, you enhance your site's SEO potential, reaching audiences often overlooked through other means. Whether using plugins or manual insertion, applying these strategies ensures you’re thorough in your optimization efforts. Implement the tips from this guide, and you’ll make strides towards improving your website's visibility and performance.