20 replies to this topic

[JamesW]

Hey,

When optimising web pages, should you use commas in your meta-keywords or just plain spaces between words?

P.S. I know meta-tags aren't very important!

Cheers,

James

[HAJITH]

It does not make any difference by using commas or with out commas in your meta tag.

It is purely personal opinion whether to use it or not.

Some use them because they used to it.

Your keyword metatag is still used by some search engines such as INKTOMI.

HTH.

[Jill]

It's the same thing either way. Commas are treated as a space.

And since the engines don't pay attention to the info in the tag anyway, who cares?

[compar]

It's the same thing either way.  Commas are treated as a space.

And since the engines don't pay attention to the info in the tag anyway, who cares?

People who write Meta tag keywords care. As you yourself have pointed out some Search engines still use them.

The answer is that either a comma or a space or a comma and a space all work equally as well.

And I'm sure James cares or he wouldn't have asked the question.

[Jill]

No, no, no.

Some search engines may use them IF there is nothing else anywhere on the entire internet that uses the particular keyword phrase.

In other words, if no page on the entire web used a particular word within the copy, Title tag or Meta description tag, some engines might then look at the Meta keyword tag.

That's it.

And even that is only Inktomi and Teoma.

Jill

[compar]

That's absolutely correct, but the questioner said that he knew they were of limited value in his question. Nevertheless he asked if one is going persist and do so how should it be done.

That deserves more than a "who cares" answer.

[Jill]

I answered that question too, Bob. Chill out. I'm allowed to add my own two cents after answering the question, even if you don't like it!

It can never be stressed enough how UNimportant the keyword meta tag is to the major search engines, imo.

Jill

[mcanerin]

My understanding is that IF a word is in a metatag and IF that same word is also in the text, that at that point the SE will actually assign it some weight, otherwise it won't.

Anyone know if this is wrong? And if so, why?

Ian

[compar]

My understanding is that IF a word is in a metatag and IF that same word is also in the text, that at that point the SE will actually assign it some weight, otherwise it won't.

Anyone know if this is wrong? And if so, why?

Ian

Ian,

My original understanding of keyword meta tags was that the SEs read them and used them as a source of keywords on which to index the site. Then the concept of keyword density started to arise and the general wisdom was that the SEs needed to find the meta keyword in the text to give it some validity or importance.

Then Google came a long and said we won't read the keyword meta tag we need to finds the keywords in the content, or title etc. And of course they also introduced the concept of backlinks being votes for the popularity of the site.

However having said all that I think that the few site that still read keyword meta tags will use keyword that are there even if they don't exist in the content. For instance if you are searching on a misspelled word and that word doesn't appear in any sites content then I believe that the SEs who read meta tags may return a site based on the misspelled term in the keyword meta tag.

[Jill]

Actually, Ian, I think that's a common misconception. In fact, it's one I used to spread also.

The true use of the keyword meta tag was originally to provide additional keywords that might not actually be in your content. After all, if the words are already in your content, then why do you need them in the meta tag?

The engines that still use them, appear to still use them as they were originally intended. As a back up, last resort kinda thing.

If you search my site for "Meta keyword" you will find past articles where I have discussed this topic in-depth.

Jill

[compar]

Actually, Ian, I think that's a common misconception. In fact, it's one I used to spread also.

The true use of the keyword meta tag was originally to provide additional keywords that might not actually be in your content.  After all, if the words are already in your content, then why do you need them in the meta tag? 

The engines that still use them, appear to still use them as they were originally intended.  As a back up, last resort kinda thing.

Are you agreeing with me Jill?

[Jill]

Who do you think you originally learned it from, Bob?

[MakeMeTop]

The definitive line on keywords from the only major search engine which uses them. From http://www.inktomi.c...mpolicyfaq.html

"Q: What's best to do with the Keywords meta-tag?

"A: This line is not as important as is commonly believed. Put phrases that relate to this page in the Keywords line, separated by commas. Don't bother including very common phrases, such as "expert" or "rock and roll". The Keywords line should always be tailored for the particular page; if it's the same for every page on your site, you are really better off not using the Keywords line at all. Don't overload the Keywords line; as a rule of thumb, if you're putting things in the Keywords line that aren't in the rest of the page, you're probably putting too much in."

So use commas and don't put in phrases that aren't on the page!

[compar]

Who do you think you originally learned it from, Bob?

Good one! I like that. I do happen to read a few other sources. Your are not the only one in the world I argue with. I'll bet that surprises you

[Jill]

That may be what they say, Barry, but I've seen pages show up that have the keywords ONLY in the keyword tag.