Everyone says keyword density is dead but I tested it on a 2,000 word post for a local plumber client last month

I deliberately stuffed "emergency plumber" into the article 12 times instead of the usual 3-4 and it jumped from page 4 to page 1 for that exact term. Google still seems to reward relevant repetition if the content is actually useful around it. Has anyone else seen old tactics still work in 2024?

4 comments

4 Comments

gray_hall41mo ago

Tbh I still cram keywords like I'm packing a suitcase for a weekend trip - way too many but somehow it works. I did the same thing with "emergency plumber" last year for a client and his phone rang off the hook, no idea why but Google seemed to love it. Makes me wonder if all those SEO gurus telling us to be subtle are just trying to keep the gravy train for themselves while we're out here overstuffing like a Thanksgiving turkey.

joseph_green131mo agoMost Upvoted

Wait, but isn't there a difference between a keyword that makes sense in context and just jamming the same phrase 15 times into a paragraph? I feel like Google is getting smarter about that stuff, or at least I've seen sites get hit for doing too much.

the_mary1mo ago

Oh absolutely, you're so right about Google getting smarter with that. I tried the whole "best coffee maker" thing a few years back and stuffed it into every other sentence like it was my job, and my page actually dropped in rankings instead of going up. I've learned the hard way that throwing keywords in like they're going out of style just makes your content read like a robot wrote it, and Google's totally onto that now.

blair9901d ago

Loved reading this because I did the exact same thing with "roof repair near me" for a client last fall. Threw that phrase in about 15 times across a 1500 word post and their leads went up by like 40% in two weeks. Everyone says you gotta be natural but if the post is actually helpful and the keyword fits, Google seems totally fine with it. Your plumber case is the proof I've been looking for honestly. Makes me think half the SEO tips online are just gatekeeping by people who don't want us testing stuff ourselves.