Question: Matt S. from PA asks "Are too many keywords on a page a bad thing?"
Answer: Although many different keywords can be a good thing, there can be too many repeat keywords on a page.
Search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo perform a very specific job for prospective B&B guests. The search engine attempts to show the most appropriate lodging sites at the top positions on the page based on the guest’s preferences for travel accommodation, destination, interests and price point. In the past, some Webmasters attempted to trick the search engine into giving their site priority by repeating the same keyword over and over again. For example, "Bed and Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast...(100 times)" In the early days of search, this trick might have actually resulted in higher ranking. Today search engines have become increasingly sophisticated in combating cheating or "black hat" techniques by placing penalties on too much repetition. Penalties can be a simple as lower raking on the page or as severe as being banned from the search engine altogether.
Here are some simple rules to follow to avoid too much repetition:
- Write your content so that it is appropriate and easy to read
- Pepper targeted keywords throughout the content from beginning to end
- Avoid using the same word twice in a row
Please let us know if this has helps you Matt. We also welcome comments from other innkeepers or new questions.