WA SEO 1, Yoast SEO 0, so stop obsessing about keyword density.

1.7K followers

Updated 5 years ago

Hi WA marketers,

I started my online marketing journey with WA in 2015. Back then, I was utterly clueless about ranking a website on Google.

To be frank, no one really knows 100% about how Google algorithm works. As beginners, ranking is often a process of research, write, publish and PRAY.

I was skeptical when the lesson states you'll only need to include the keyword ONCE in the title and ONCE in the first 2 paragraph for the article.

As a beginner, I start to be tempted by ranking strategies offered by other 'SEO Gurus". I ditch, the All In One SEO plugin for YOAST, (which I'm still using now).

Comparatively, I have to say YOAST is more user friendly, with its series of indicators that guide you to optimize the article.

YOAST Keyword Density Indicator.

If you have an older version of Yoast, you'll notice that it prioritzes keyword density indicator.

If you're using Yoast, you may be obsessed about getting the indicator to turn Green. And that requires the exact match keyword to be at least 2%.

Keyword density is also a criteria cited by various "SEO Guru" who usually promotes a plugin or software where they earn a commission from. (Well, that's affiliate marketing in action).

So, the lessons at Wealthy Affiliate mentions that you only required 2 keyword match in the article (including the Title).

While YOAST, and countless other 'SEO experts" insists on keyword density.

Some blog managers who are pretty ignorant about on-page SEO insisted that every single indicators on YOAST are green.

(I was also a freelance writer who happens to work with a YOAST-obsessed client)

YOAST Dropped Keyword Density In The Latest Upgrade

If you have updated to the latest version of YOAST, you'll notice that there are no longer 'keyword' or 'exact match' in the indicators.

Instead, Yoast has switched to "keyphrase".

It no longer measure the density by exact matching the keyword, but taking account the distribution of individual word of the keyphrase in the content.

In other words, you don't need to be obsessed about keyword density or exact match keywords.

So, what does it means?

It means that keyword density is not a primary factor to rank your content on Google. Instead, it's about creating in-depth content that revolves around the topic.

Google is smart enough to pick a content that is relevant to the query without relying on keyword density.

A fact that has been taught by Wealthy Affiliate long before Yoast upgraded its plugin to reflect what actually works.

Stop Hesitating If WA Trainings Actually Works,

I've lost a couple of years because of those doubts. I would have be a full time marketer with 5 digit earnings had I not deviated from the lessons provided by Kyle.

Ok, I'm digressing.

Now, I'm having several articles on the first page of Google, without any exact matching keyword. That's further proof that keyword density do not matter.

Here's a summary of what you should do to rank your articles.

Keyword research - You need to know what users are searching about.
Have the keyword phrase in your title - It doesn't need to be an exact match. Google is pretty smart.
Have the keyword phrase within the first 2 paragraph in your article.
Write the best article that revolves on the topic. Be the best piece of information out there.
Publish, and stop obsessing about it. Keep producing more contents and you'll rank with enough authority.

Hope it helps.

Cheers,
Kenny