How Many Keywords Do You Really Need For SEO?

So, let’s get straight into it:

How many keywords do you exactly need for your SEO blog post?

Here's the truth: you don’t need any exact keyword density to rank well. Although the general rule is to have 2% keyword density (having the main keyword at least 20 times per 1000 words of content), a primary keyword, and 4-5 secondary keywords—naturally added throughout the post is enough to rank an SEO blog post.

But it's not just about the numbers because there’s no direct connection between keywords on a page and the rankings it can get.

That said, using the right set of keywords on a page does make it easy for search engines to match the page with the right intent keywords.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how many keywords to use based on your content type, page length, and industry. Plus, you'll explore how to place them naturally so that both Google and your readers find your content useful.

Understanding SEO Keyword Types And How To Use Them

SEO keywords are of different types:

• Primary Keyword – The main target keyword of your blog post.

• Secondary keywords – Supportive or closely related to the primary keyword.

• LSI Keywords – Keywords that are conceptually related to the primary keyword.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at these different SEO keywords and learn the effective way to use them in content.

What Are Primary Keywords In SEO?

Your primary keyword is the main topic of the blog post. For example, if you’re writing a post on “what is a marketing funnel” then your primary keyword is “marketing funnel.”

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the primary keyword “marketing funnel” appears across the top 3 ranking pages:

As you can see, it’s only between 1% – 2%. There’s no definite requirement of keyword density for SEO, but the general rule is about 2%. SEO tools like Yoast recommend 0.5% to 3% keyword density. Rank Math, another SEO tool, recommends 1% to 1.5% keyword density.

You know what? Instead of focusing on the density numbers, it’s best to just know where you actually need to place them. That way, naturally, as you write the blog posts, your SEO keywords will be included in the post automatically.

Here are the top places in a blog post where your SEO keywords must be present:

• Post URL

• Heading

• Meta Description

• Introduction

• Subheadings

• Image ALT Text

• Conclusion

And that’s it! If you conduct thorough research and cover all related topics, your primary keywords, and secondary keywords will naturally make their way into your content.

What About Secondary And LSI Keywords?

Secondary keywords support your primary keyword by covering subtopics or related aspects of your content. In the example of a “marketing funnel,” secondary keywords might include:

• “stages of a marketing funnel”

• “marketing funnel examples”

• “how to optimize a marketing funnel”

Use these keywords 1–2 times throughout your content in a way that feels natural and fits the flow.

LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are conceptually related terms that give Google a better understanding of your content’s context. For “marketing funnel,” related terms might include:

• “customer journey”

• “conversion rate”

• “lead generation”

• “sales funnel stages”

Incorporate LSI keywords sparingly where they add value to the reader’s experience and enhance the relevance of your content.

The goal isn’t to stuff keywords but to create a well-rounded post that naturally includes these terms while providing valuable information to your audience.

Related Read: What Is SEO Copywriting? A Complete Guide

Using the right mix of keywords is essential, but does that mean you should stuff your content with as many as possible? Let’s explore why having fewer but relevant keywords is often the smarter choice.

Why Is Having Fewer But More Relevant Keywords Better For SEO?

Gone are the days of keyword density formulas. Google's AI has gotten smarter. It now looks for topics, not just keywords. Here's what actually works:

Rather than repeating “marketing funnel” ten times, focus on writing naturally about the stages of a funnel, how to optimize it, and examples of successful strategies. When you include phrases like “customer journey,” “lead generation,” or “conversion optimization,” Google recognizes that your content is about marketing funnels without keyword stuffing and rewards it automatically.

Here’s a nice way to think of this: Adding SEO Keywords is like adding salt to your cooking dish. The right amount enhances flavor. Too much ruins the dish.

When you focus on helping readers and covering topics thoroughly, you naturally use the right keywords in the right places without overthinking about it.

Now, let’s see some common signs that indicate you’re overusing keywords in your content.

Signs You're Using Too Many Keywords

Using too many keywords makes your content hard to read and can hurt your rankings. Let's look at how to spot the signs of too much keyword usage and fix them.

Indication Of Over-Optimization

SEO tools like Yoast indicate when you’ve too many keywords in your posts.

For instance, on the sidebar, it will indicate an orange signal when you use your target keyword in more than 70% of your images. Rank Math—another SEO plugin—has a similar feature of altering the overuse of keywords.

Readability Issues

When you use too many keywords, your content becomes choppy and unnatural.

For example, imagine a landing page for running shoes written like this:

"Buy running shoes for runners who need running gear and running shoes for running marathons."

This approach is overly repetitive and hard to read. Readers might lose interest before they even understand your message.

Instead, focus on a natural, benefit-driven style:

"These lightweight running shoes are designed to help marathon runners go the distance with ease."

This version conveys the same message, includes keywords naturally, and keeps the reader engaged.

Also Read: Best Tools For SEO Copywriting

Google Penalties

Google wants content that helps readers, not content stuffed with keywords. When you repeatedly force keywords into your text, Google notices. The search engine might push your page down in rankings or remove it completely.

In fact, in Google’s Spam Policies, there’s a dedicated section that’s just related to keyword stuffing.

User Experience

Keywords should never get in the way of your message. When visitors land on your page, they want clear information that answers their questions. Excessive keywords create barriers to understanding and drive readers away.

So, in your blog analytics, check whether you’ve got a low time-on-page—which means readers are spending less time reading your blog posts. And one of the likely reasons for that could be that the content is stuffed with too many keywords—affecting content readability and, as a result, the time on page.

Look at your content from your reader's perspective. If you find yourself repeating words unnecessarily or creating awkward sentences to fit in keywords, it's time to revise. Focus on creating clear, helpful content that uses keywords only where they add value to the reader's understanding.

Now that you can spot the signs of keyword overuse let’s look at situations where you might not be using enough SEO keywords.

Signs You Need More Keywords

Sometimes, using too few keywords can limit your content's potential. Let's explore how to identify when your content needs more keyword coverage and how to fix it effectively.

SEO Tools Showing Lack Of Enough Keywords

Just like when you’ve overused keywords, SEO tools like Yoast and Rank Math indicate it. Similarly, those tools also show that you need more SEO keywords when your post lacks enough keyword density.

Not Enough Topic Coverage

When writing about complex topics, using just one main keyword leaves gaps in your content. Take a post about digital marketing strategy. Using only "digital marketing tips" misses valuable related terms like "social media planning," "content calendar," and "email campaigns." These additional keywords help you cover the topic completely.

For example, a guide about Instagram marketing should include terms like "Instagram engagement," "hashtag strategy," and "Instagram analytics." Each keyword represents an important aspect of the main topic. Include these terms naturally when explaining each concept. This helps readers understand the full picture while helping your content rank for more relevant searches.

Missing Ranking Opportunities

Your content might rank well for one term but miss dozens of related searches. A running shoe review focusing only on "best running shoes" overlooks valuable terms like "running shoes for flat feet," "marathon training shoes," or "cushioned running shoes." Adding these terms opens up new ranking possibilities.

When writing about social media marketing, expand beyond the basics. Include terms like "Instagram engagement tips," "best posting times," and "social media content calendar." Each term represents a different aspect that searchers want to learn about. Cover these topics naturally within your content to capture more search traffic.

Content Gaps

Content gaps happen when you miss important subtopics your readers care about. A guide about starting a fitness routine that only uses exercise keywords misses related terms about workout planning, recovery methods, and nutrition basics. These gaps leave readers with unanswered questions.

Think about a post on Facebook ads. Beyond the main topic, include sections about audience targeting, ad budget optimization, and conversion tracking. Each section naturally uses relevant keywords while providing valuable information. This comprehensive approach satisfies both search engines and readers by covering all aspects of the topic.

Recommend Read: The Best Way To Write SEO-Optimized Content With AI

Final Thoughts - The Smart Way To Create SEO-Optimized Content

The best SEO-optimized content requires the right balance of keywords. Use one primary keyword and 2-5 secondary keywords for most pages, placing them naturally in your headline, subheaders, body content, and conclusion. Focus on complete topic coverage rather than keyword density to rank well.

Now, creating content with the right balance of keywords every time can be challenging. And that’s where tools like SEOWriting come in handy, automating the entire content creation process. This AI-powered tool handles everything from keyword research to content creation, helping you produce search-optimized content in minutes instead of hours.

Automated Keyword Integration

SEOWriting uses advanced NLP (Natural Language Processing) to identify and integrate the perfect number of keywords in your content. The tool uses the power of AI to determine the optimal keyword density and adds the terms throughout your article. You get perfectly optimized content without the guesswork.

Smart Content Structure

The built-in SEO Blog Outline Editor creates content structures that search engines love. It automatically places your primary keyword in crucial positions, ensuring complete topic coverage for better rankings.

Readability First Approach

Unlike most AI writing tools, SEOWriting's Readability Enhancer ensures your content stays engaging while being SEO-friendly. The tool maintains a perfect balance between keyword optimization and natural writing.

In fact, SEOWriting also comes with a Text Humanizer tool that helps you humanize your text and make it more engaging and natural.

Custom Brand Voice

The Brand Voice Customizer lets you maintain your unique style while hitting SEO targets. Set your preferred tone, style, and industry terminology. SEOWriting then creates content that matches your brand voice while incorporating all necessary keywords. This personalization helps build trust with readers and keeps them coming back.

Time-Saving Automation

The One-Click SEO Content feature transforms your topic into a fully optimized article in minutes. It handles keyword research, content creation, and formatting automatically. 

With features like Auto Internal Linking and WordPress Auto-Posting, you can save a lot of time in your content creation process and focus on the actual strategy better.

Want to try SEOWriting? Get started for FREE now!

FAQs

What's The Difference Between Primary And Secondary Keywords?

Primary keywords directly match what users search for, like "digital marketing tips." Secondary keywords are related terms that support your main topic, such as "social media strategy" or "email marketing guide." Use one primary keyword and 2-5 secondary keywords for most pages.

Should I Use The Exact Keyword Phrase Or Can I Vary It?

Google understands variations of your keywords. Instead of repeatedly using "best running shoes," mix in natural variations like "top athletic footwear" or "running shoes for beginners." This helps your content flow better while still maintaining SEO value.

How Do I Know If My Content Is Over-Optimized?

If your content sounds unnatural or repetitive, you've likely used too many keywords. Good content flows naturally and keeps readers engaged. Focus on answering user questions first, then adjust keywords to fit naturally.

Do Keywords Need To Be Exact Matches?

Not anymore. Google's algorithms understand context and meaning. Writing "marketing strategies for small business" works just as well as "small business marketing strategies." Focus on natural writing that clearly conveys your main message.

Where Should I Place My Most Important Keywords?

Put your primary keyword in your title, first paragraph, one subheading, and naturally throughout the content. Place secondary keywords in other subheadings and body text where they fit naturally.

Prit Centrago Prit is an SEO Content Specialist and Copywriter. His work has helped SaaS brands across multiple industries reach more customers worldwide. When not involved in writing or planning content strategies, you'll find him reading books with a cup of coffee.