Does Google Look At The Keyword Meta Tag?
Matt Cutts explains that Google hasn’t cared about the keywords meta tag in ten years for search engine optimization. In fact, he says that if another website owner copies your keywords and uses them in your meta tags then you really shouldn’t care. Even if they use your branded keywords.
Well, Google may not care about the keywords meta tag, but some search engines do so take Matt’s advice with a grain of salt. Having another website rank higher than you for your branded keywords because they snipped your keywords and used them for their own site wouldn’t be cool, no matter how small that search engine is.
Though, I will say this, there are legitimate reasons why you and another website might share the same keywords in your meta tag. If you and the other site both specialize in red widgets then I’d expect to see “red widgets” hit your meta tag keywords list. But I wouldn’t expect to see your brand name hit the list on another site.
What should you do if you notice this? Try to find the search engine’s spam report or webmaster tools and file a report. Be very specific about what you are protesting and be sure to give the offending URL. Some things just shouldn’t happen.
Watch The Matt Cutts Meta Tag Video Here:
4 Responses to “Does Google Look At The Keyword Meta Tag?”
The Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Journal is Written by SEO Expert:
Nick Stamoulis
Tel - 781-999-1222
nick@brickmarketing.com
Brick Marketing - SEO Company
I have actually been doing controlled testing on meta keywords and seen improvements within Google for a few of my sites. I almost never believe what Matt Cutts says about strategy (in terms of SEO). Although all the sites i did the test with could be a coincidence and the changes are not enough to compete in heavily saturated markets I still believe meta keywords do make a difference.
Great article BTW
Hi Chris – Thanks for commenting and sharing your controlled test…please feel free to share other future tests/results
I don’t understand why so many people think Google is the only game in town. Leave out the meta keywords just because Google doesn’t care if they’re there and you’re leaving money on the table.
Hi Owen – My thought has always been Google is the king but don’t ignore Yahoo! and Bing…as a best practice I always add in Meta Keywords…thanks for the comment!