For SEO keywords per page, use one main term and 3–6 related phrases placed naturally across titles, headings, and body.
Quick Answer And Why It Works
There isn’t a magic quota. One page should center on a single main term and a small cluster of related phrases. That blend keeps the topic tight while matching how people search in real life. Search systems reward pages that help readers, not pages that cram terms where they don’t belong.
Fast Planning Cheat Sheet
Use this quick table while planning a page. It keeps you focused without drifting into stuffing.
| Page Type | Primary Term | Supporting Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Blog Post Or Guide | 1 clear topic term | 3–6 related phrases that share the same intent |
| Product Or Service Page | 1 commercial term | 2–4 close variants and feature terms |
| Collection Or Hub Page | 1 category term | 4–8 subtopics that naturally belong |
| FAQ Or Help Article | 1 main question | 3–5 common follow-ups |
How Many Search Terms Make Sense For One Page?
Most pages work best with a simple plan: one main term plus a compact group of helpers. The helpers are phrases with the same search intent, common wording twists, and named entities people expect to see. That mix signals depth without bloating copy. It also reduces the risk of two pages on your site competing with each other for near-identical phrases.
Think in clusters. If several phrases return the same type of result and share the same goal, they belong together on one page. If they serve different goals or searchers want different outcomes, split them into separate pages. A reader-first outline makes this choice clear long before you write the first sentence.
What To Put Where On The Page
Placement matters more than raw counts. Use natural wording in prominent spots and skip repetitive fillers. Here’s a simple placement map that keeps things tidy.
Title And H1
Lead with the main term in the title and H1. Keep it readable and avoid repeating the same words again and again. Search systems can rewrite title links if they look spammy or unhelpful, so plain, descriptive phrasing wins.
First Paragraph
Confirm the topic and why the page helps the reader. If a helper phrase fits naturally, use one. Don’t force awkward repeats.
Subheadings
Add one helper phrase to a relevant H2 and use other related wording in nearby copy. Subheads should predict content and help scanning on mobile.
Body Copy
Write to answer the task. Use synonyms, entities, and plain language that mirrors how people ask the question. If you catch yourself repeating the same words only to chase a quota, trim them.
Alt Text And Links
Describe images in a natural way. Avoid keyword lists in alt text. Use short, descriptive anchor text for any link. Don’t cram a pile of terms into anchors.
Proof From Official Guidance
Official documentation backs this approach. The spam policies call out stuffing terms as a violation, and the starter guide says to write for people and place the words readers search for in prominent spots like titles and headings. You can read both here: spam policies and the SEO starter guide.
When To Split A Topic Across Multiple Pages
Sometimes a cluster grows too wide for one URL. Signs you should split include: the searcher goal changes between phrases; the result pages show different formats; or your outline starts to feel like three articles glued together. In those cases, pick one page for each searcher goal and build clear internal links between them.
One more signal: if two pages from your site could rank for the same phrase with nearly identical intent, you may have a cannibalization risk. Consolidating them into a single, stronger page often fixes this and improves clarity for readers.
How To Build A Clean Keyword Cluster
This quick process keeps your plan grounded in user language while staying clear of stuffing.
Step 1: List Real Queries
Pull a seed list from your own search console, customer emails, and sales or support chats. Add tool data if you use one, but start with real phrasing from your audience.
Step 2: Group By Intent
Skim the results for each phrase. If they show the same page types and similar answers, group them together. If one phrase shows transactional pages and another shows tutorials, those belong in separate groups.
Step 3: Pick The Main Term
Select one phrase that best names the topic and has solid search demand. That becomes your main term for the page.
Step 4: Choose 3–6 Helpers
Pick close variants, common subtopics, and entities people expect. Skip six near-identical clones; diversity matters more than raw count.
Step 5: Map To The Outline
Place the main term in the title and H1, add one helper to a relevant subhead, and spread the rest naturally through the copy. If a helper doesn’t fit, leave it out.
Density Myths And Safe Ranges
Word-count ratios don’t decide ranking. Ratios can push writers to stuff, which hurts quality. Focus on clarity and topical coverage. If you need a sanity check, scan the draft and ask: does any paragraph repeat the same words without adding value? If yes, prune.
Here’s a light touch rule many teams use to stay tidy: aim for one clear mention of the main term in the title, one in the H1, one early in the body, and then only where it earns its place. Helpers appear where they fit the outline. That’s it.
Realistic Examples Of Placement
These simple patterns work across common page types.
Tutorial Or Guide
Title and H1 use the main term. The first paragraph explains the task. H2s map to steps or subtopics and include one or two helpers where they make sense. The rest of the copy uses plain language and named entities that matter.
Product Or Service Page
Title names the offer with the main term. H1 matches the title closely. Feature blocks and comparison sections include helpers like model names, specs, pricing language, and common qualifiers buyers type.
Collection Page
Title and H1 use the category term. Filters, subcategories, and short paragraph blurbs weave in helpers that describe brands, sizes, and uses. Keep the copy lean so shoppers reach items fast.
Internal Linking That Supports Your Cluster
Links help readers move from overview pages to deeper guides and back again. Use short anchors that name the destination clearly. A hub page can link to each child guide using the helper phrases from your cluster. Child pages link back to the hub with the category term. This keeps context clear without stuffing extra words into anchors.
When adding links inside a guide, place them where they help a reader move forward. A step-by-step tutorial might link to a setup guide at the end of the first step. A product page might link to a comparison page in a specs section. Keep anchors short and specific.
Editorial Checklist Before You Publish
- Title and H1 contain the main term once and read cleanly.
- One H2 carries a helper phrase that matches the section content.
- Body uses helpers where they fit; no quotas or filler.
- Images have descriptive alt text without keyword lists.
- Anchors are short and natural; no stacked phrases.
- Links point to pages that help the reader next.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Repeating the same phrase in every subhead when a synonym would read better.
- Writing long anchor text stacked with several terms in a row.
- Publishing two near-duplicate pages that chase the same phrase.
- Chasing density percentages at the expense of clarity.
- Forgetting entities readers expect, like product names or standards.
On-Page Placement Checklist
Use this compact checklist during editing.
| Element | What To Include | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title Tag | Main term once | Readable, no repeats |
| H1 | Main term once | Match or mirror title |
| One H2 | One helper phrase | Predicts section content |
| Body Copy | Helpers where natural | No quotas |
| Image Alt | Plain description | No lists of terms |
| Internal Links | Short anchors | Avoid stuffed anchors |
| URL | Short slug | Use common words |
| Meta Description | Benefit-led summary | Use natural wording |
FAQ-Style Concerns Without The FAQ Box
Do Meta Keywords Help?
No. Major search engines don’t use the old meta keywords tag for ranking. Focus on clear titles, headings, and helpful copy instead.
Can I Target Two Main Terms On One Page?
Only if they share the same goal and real readers would want both answered together. If the goals differ, give each a page.
How Many Times Should I Repeat The Main Term?
Use it where it helps: title, H1, early in the body, and in one subhead. After that, write naturally and use helpers and entities to round out the topic.
A Simple Workflow You Can Reuse
Plan the cluster, draft to satisfy the task, and edit for clarity. During editing, read aloud and cut any phrase that sounds like padding. Check placement using the checklist table, add one or two internal links, and publish. Revisit pages when user needs or official rules change.
Why This Approach Wins Over Time
This plan aligns with official guidance: write for people first, use words searchers would use, and avoid stuffing. It scales across small blogs and large sites because it prevents duplicate themes and keeps every page focused. Most of all, it helps readers get an answer fast, which is the whole point.