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Meta Keywords SEO

Meta keywords are an HTML tag that lists keywords relevant to a page's content, but major search engines like Google no longer use them as a ranking signal.

Level: BeginnerRead: 3 minUpdated: 27 Jul 2026By Vera Lindqvist

Key facts

  • The meta keywords tag is written as <meta name="keywords" content="keyword1, keyword2"> inside the HTML <head>.
  • Google announced in 2009 that it does not use the meta keywords tag for ranking, and Bing later stated the same.
  • The tag was originally intended to help search engines categorize pages, but it was heavily abused with keyword stuffing.
  • Many modern content management systems still include a meta keywords field, but filling it is optional and has no SEO benefit.
  • Free meta keyword generators exist, but they are best used for brainstorming content ideas, not for improving search visibility.

Also called

meta keyword tag, keywords meta tag

Use it for

Content planning and internal organization only

Applies to

Google, Bing, and most major search engines (no ranking impact)

How Meta Keywords Work in HTML

The meta keywords tag is placed in the <head> section of an HTML page. Its syntax is meta name="keywords" content="...". The content attribute holds a comma-separated list of keywords.

Historically, webmasters used this tag to tell search engines what their page was about. For example, a page about dog training might include keywords like "dog training, puppy obedience, sit command". However, search engines now ignore this tag due to widespread abuse.

If you want to understand how meta tags fit into SEO, read about meta tags seo. There is no recommended number of keywords because search engines ignore them, but historically 5–10 keywords were used.

  • The tag is not visible to users.
  • It was one of the earliest SEO tactics.
  • Keyword stuffing led to its decline.

Why Search Engines Ignore Meta Keywords

Google publicly stated that it stopped using the meta keywords tag for ranking around 2009. The reason was rampant keyword stuffing and spam. Webmasters would list irrelevant keywords to attract traffic.

Bing also ignores the tag. The tag became unreliable. Instead, search engines now rely on content analysis, backlinks, and user behavior.

For more on how search engines interpret page content, see keyword rank checker. The decline of meta keywords illustrates why modern SEO focuses on content quality.

  • Keyword stuffing made the tag untrustworthy.
  • Automated tools could not distinguish relevant from irrelevant keywords.
  • Search engines developed better signals like content quality and links.

When You Might Still Use Meta Keywords

Despite search engines ignoring them, meta keywords still appear in some contexts. Some content management systems (CMS) include a meta keywords field for legacy reasons.

If you maintain an internal website or intranet that uses a custom search engine, that engine might read the tag. For planning purposes, you can use the tag to keep track of your own target keywords.

But for public-facing SEO, you should focus on how keyword research works instead. how long-tail keywords works can also be more valuable than generic terms.

  • Legacy CMS fields.
  • Internal search engines.
  • Personal keyword planning notes.

How to Generate Meta Keywords for Free

Several free online tools can generate meta keyword suggestions. You input a topic, URL, or page description, and the tool returns a list of related terms. These tools are often bundled with meta title and description generators.

For example, a what meta keywords html means generator will output the full HTML code. However, remember that the generated keywords are for planning, not for ranking. A better approach is to use a dedicated keyword research tool that provides search volume and competition data.

url keywords can also be optimized for content structure. Free generators are convenient but should not replace proper keyword research.

  • Input a seed keyword or URL.
  • Get comma-separated keyword list.
  • Tool may also generate title and description HTML.

Common Mistakes with Meta Keywords

Many SEO practitioners still make errors with meta keywords. Understanding these mistakes helps you avoid wasted effort.

The first mistake is assuming meta keywords improve Google rankings. The consequence is wasted effort and missed opportunities in real SEO tactics.

A second mistake is using generic, irrelevant, or overly broad terms. The consequence is that the tag becomes useless even for internal planning. Finally, copying the same keyword set across many pages is a mistake. The consequence is no differentiation between pages, which can confuse any reading system.

For more on how to measure keyword performance, see Keyword Msv. And for a broader view, review how meta description works.

  • Mistake: Assuming meta keywords improve Google rankings. Consequence: Wasted effort and missed opportunities in real SEO tactics.
  • Mistake: Using generic, irrelevant, or overly broad terms. Consequence: Tag becomes useless even for internal planning.
  • Mistake: Copying the same keyword set across many pages. Consequence: No differentiation between pages, which can confuse any reading system.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming meta keywords improve Google rankings. Wasted effort and missed opportunities in real SEO tactics.
  • Using generic, irrelevant, or overly broad terms. Tag becomes useless even for internal planning.
  • Copying the same keyword set across many pages. No differentiation between pages, which can confuse any reading system.

Questions

how to search keywords in google keyword planner

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool in Google Ads. You can enter a seed keyword or website URL to get keyword ideas, search volumes, and competition data. It is designed for advertising but useful for SEO research.

best free meta tag generator

SEOptimer Free Meta Tag Generator is a popular option. It takes your page title, description, and keywords and outputs the HTML code. Other tools like Ahrefs Keyword Generator also provide related keywords but focus on broader research.

how many meta keywords should i use

There is no set number because search engines ignore the tag. Historically, 5–10 keywords were common. Today, you can list as many as you need for your own planning, but avoid stuffing.

See also

Sources

  1. Google Search Central developers.google.com
  2. Ahrefs Keyword Generator ahrefs.com
  3. SEOptimer Free Meta Tag Generator seoptimer.com

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Vera Lindqvist

Vera Lindqvist has worked in SEO since 2014 — first in-house at an ecommerce retailer, then freelance for small teams that could not afford an agency. She writes GrowthPedia in her own time and pays for the hosting herself.

Written and maintained by one person. No ads, no affiliates, nothing for sale. Found an error? Tell me and I will log the correction publicly.