Are Meta Keywords Tag Still Used by Search Engines?

Let’s cut to the chase: If you’re wondering whether you should add a meta keywords tag to your website in 2024, the short answer is — unless you’re targeting a very specific corner of the internet, you can probably skip it. But hey, let’s not leave you with just a shrug and a “meh.” We at bloggingmachine.io are all about making SEO clear, effortless, and just a little more fun than your average lunch meeting. So, let’s break down the facts, sprinkle in some expert wisdom, and help you decide if the meta keywords tag deserves a spot in your SEO toolkit.

The Rise and Fall of the Meta Keywords Tag

Once upon a time (think dial-up internet and MySpace top friends), the meta keywords tag was the darling of SEO. You could stuff it with every relevant (and not-so-relevant) keyword and watch your site climb the rankings. Unsurprisingly, this led to a lot of, well, creative interpretations of “relevance.” Search engines caught on, and the party ended.

Key fact: Google officially stopped using the meta keywords tag for ranking in 2009. Bing and Yahoo followed suit not long after. As of 2024, the meta keywords tag is about as useful for SEO as a fax machine is for texting.

What the Experts Say (Spoiler: It’s Not Much)

Matt Cutts, the former head of Google’s webspam team, summed it up best:

“Let’s stop relying on webmasters for this type of data. Let’s stop trusting webmasters and let’s look at a more comprehensive picture to try and rank documents. So let’s look at all the elements of the page’s content. Let’s look at all the links pointing back to that web page.”

Translation: Search engines want real signals, not wishful thinking in a meta tag.

• Google: “Google doesn’t use the keywords meta tag in our web search ranking.” (Google Search Central)
• Bing: Publicly stated that meta keywords are ignored for ranking.
• Yahoo: Same story — meta keywords are out.
• Yandex/Baidu: If you’re targeting Russia or China, meta keywords might still have a sliver of value, but even there, their influence is minor compared to other ranking factors.

Should You Add Meta Keywords? (Hint: Probably Not)

Let’s be real. Unless your business is laser-focused on Yandex or Baidu, adding a meta keywords tag is like bringing a flip phone to a smartphone convention. It won’t hurt, but it won’t help either.

For most of us:

• No SEO benefit on Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
• Most modern SEO tools (like Yoast) don’t even support it anymore.
• It’s not a ranking factor for the vast majority of global search traffic.

Exceptions:

• If you’re targeting users in Russia (Yandex) or China (Baidu), you might consider adding meta keywords. But even then, focus your energy elsewhere first.

What Actually Matters for SEO in 2024?

Here’s where things get interesting — and where our AI-powered platform at bloggingmachine.io shines. Instead of chasing obsolete tactics, focus on what works:

• Title Tags: Still the MVP of on-page SEO. Make them clear, relevant, and enticing.
• Meta Descriptions: Won’t boost rankings directly, but can improve click-through rates.
• Canonical Tags: Prevent duplicate content headaches.
• Alt Tags: Crucial for image SEO and accessibility.
• Robots Meta Tags: Control what gets indexed.
• Schema Markup: Give search engines more context (and maybe snag a rich snippet).
• Content Quality: Yes, it matters. A lot. Write for humans, optimize for search engines.
• User Experience: Fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate wins every time.
• Natural Keyword Integration: Sprinkle keywords where they make sense — no stuffing.

For a deeper dive into modern SEO best practices, check out resources like Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO, Search Engine Journal, and Google’s SEO Starter Guide.

Meta Keywords Tag vs. Other Meta Tags: The 2024 Scorecard

Why We Don’t Bother with Meta Keywords (And Neither Should You)

At bloggingmachine.io, our AI agent doesn’t waste time on meta keywords. Instead, we focus on what actually moves the needle: engaging, well-written, SEO-friendly articles that attract readers and improve search rankings. Our platform automates content creation, keyword optimization, and topic research — so you can focus on running your business, not chasing outdated SEO myths.

We’re not saying meta keywords are the SEO equivalent of a floppy disk, but… okay, we are. Let’s keep your strategy current.

FAQ: Meta Keywords Tag and Modern SEO

Q: Do any major search engines use the meta keywords tag for ranking? A: No. Google, Bing, and Yahoo have all publicly stated they ignore the meta keywords tag. Only Yandex and Baidu might consider it, and even then, its impact is minimal.

Q: Will adding meta keywords hurt my site? A: Not directly, but it’s a waste of time and could tip off competitors to your target keywords.

Q: Should I focus on other meta tags? A: Absolutely. Title tags, meta descriptions, canonical tags, and alt tags all play important roles in SEO.

Q: What’s the best way to optimize my blog content for SEO in 2024? A: Focus on high-quality, relevant content, natural keyword integration, and user experience. Or, let us at bloggingmachine.io handle it for you — our AI agent does all the heavy lifting.

Q: Where can I learn more about current SEO best practices? A: Try Search Engine Land, Google’s SEO documentation, and the Moz Blog.

The Bottom Line

The meta keywords tag had its moment, but that moment is long gone. Today’s SEO is about quality, relevance, and user experience — not hidden keyword lists. If you want to scale your organic traffic with effortless, AI-powered content, let us at bloggingmachine.io do the heavy lifting. We promise not to add meta keywords. (Unless you really, really want us to. But we’ll probably make a face.)

References:

• Google Search Central: Google does not use the keywords meta tag
• Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO
• Search Engine Journal: Are Meta Keywords Still Relevant?
• Search Engine Land: Meta Keywords Tag 101