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Too Many Keywords on Your Site: Is That Okay?

August 6, 2025
Too Many Keywords on Your Site: Is That Okay?

Let’s face it: if you’ve ever stared at a blank blog post and thought, “Why not just cram in every keyword I can think of?” — you’re not alone. But is targeting too many keywords on your site a genius SEO hack, or the digital equivalent of trying to wear all your clothes at once to avoid baggage fees? Let’s unpack the facts, the stats, and the subtle art of not overdoing it.

The Temptation of “More is More” (And Why It’s a Trap)

We get it. At Blogging Machine, we love a good shortcut as much as the next over-caffeinated marketer. But when it comes to SEO, targeting too many keywords on your site can backfire faster than you can say “keyword cannibalization.”

What Is Keyword Cannibalization, Anyway?

Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your site compete for the same or similar keywords. Instead of boosting your rankings, this confuses search engines and can actually lower your visibility. Imagine your own team arguing over who gets to answer the phone — nobody wins, and your customers (or in this case, Google) just get annoyed.

Quick Stat:

According to Semrush, keyword cannibalization can lead to a 30% drop in organic traffic for affected pages. Ouch.

The Goldilocks Principle: Not Too Many, Not Too Few

So, how many keywords is “too many”? There’s no magic number, but here’s what the pros recommend:

  • One primary keyword per page: This keeps your content focused and helps search engines understand what each page is about.
  • A handful of secondary/related keywords: These support your main topic and help you catch long-tail searches.

Strategic Keyword Mapping

Keyword mapping is your new best friend. This is the process of assigning specific keywords to specific pages, ensuring each page has a clear purpose. Think of it as seating your keywords at the right tables at a wedding — no awkward overlaps, no fights over the last bread roll.

Pro Tip:

Before assigning a keyword, Google it. See what kind of content ranks. If your page matches the intent, you’re on the right track. If not, rethink your angle.

The Modern Approach: Context Over Quantity

Search engines have evolved. Google’s algorithms now focus on semantic search — understanding the intent behind a query, not just the exact words. This means you don’t have to stuff every possible variation of a keyword into your content.

Enter LSI Keywords and Synonyms

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords are related terms that help search engines grasp the context of your content. For example, if your main keyword is “blogging tools,” LSI keywords might include “content automation,” “SEO optimization,” or “AI writing platforms.”

Using synonyms and variations keeps your content natural and readable, while still signaling relevance to search engines. It’s like seasoning your food — enough to enhance the flavor, not so much that you can’t taste anything else.

For more on semantic search, check out Moz’s guide.

The Risks of Over-Targeting Keywords

1. Confused Search Engines

When you target too many keywords on your site, search engines may struggle to decide which page to rank for which term. This can lead to:

  • Pages competing against each other (not your competitors)
  • Lower overall rankings
  • Missed opportunities for topical authority

2. Awkward, Unreadable Content

Ever read a blog post that felt like it was written by a robot with a thesaurus addiction? That’s what happens when you over-optimize. Users bounce, engagement drops, and your SEO dreams fizzle.

3. Diluted Ranking Potential

Instead of having one strong, focused page for a keyword, you end up with several weak ones. It’s like spreading your peanut butter too thin — nobody’s satisfied.

Case Study:

A well-known e-commerce site (let’s call them “Shopzilla” for anonymity) saw a 20% increase in organic traffic after consolidating dozens of thin, overlapping pages into a handful of comprehensive, focused ones. Sometimes, less really is more.

The Research-Driven Solution

At Blogging Machine, we’re all about working smarter, not harder (unless there’s free pizza involved). Here’s how we recommend approaching keyword strategy:

1. Start With Research

Use tools like Google Search Console, Google Ads Keyword Planner, and Semrush to find out what your audience is actually searching for. Don’t just guess — let the data guide you.

2. Focus on Relevance, Authority, and Volume

  • Relevance: Does the keyword match your content?
  • Authority: Can you realistically rank for it?
  • Volume: Is anyone actually searching for it?

3. Map Keywords to Pages

Assign one main keyword and a few related terms to each page. Keep a spreadsheet if you must (we won’t judge).

4. Optimize Naturally

Place your keywords in titles, meta descriptions, headers, and throughout the content — but always prioritize readability. If it sounds awkward, rewrite it.

5. Monitor and Adjust

SEO isn’t set-and-forget. Use analytics to see what’s working, and tweak your strategy as needed.

For more on keyword research, check out Ahrefs’ beginner’s guide.

Why Quality Content Wins (And How We Make It Effortless)

Here’s the thing: engaging, well-written, and SEO-friendly articles attract readers and improve search rankings. That’s why our AI-powered platform at Blogging Machine automates content creation, keyword optimization, and topic research — so you can focus on running your business, not wrangling keywords.

We don’t just churn out articles; we craft content that’s relevant, purposeful, and designed to perform. No keyword stuffing. No awkward phrasing. Just high-quality blog posts that drive organic traffic.

FAQ: Too Many Keywords on Your Site

Can targeting too many keywords hurt my SEO?

Absolutely. Over-targeting can lead to keyword cannibalization, diluted rankings, and poor user experience. Focus on quality over quantity.

How do I know if I have keyword cannibalization?

Use tools like Google Search Console or Semrush to see if multiple pages are ranking for the same keyword. If so, consider consolidating or reassigning keywords.

What’s the best way to organize my keywords?

Keyword mapping! Assign one main keyword and a few related terms to each page. Keep track in a spreadsheet or use a project management tool.

Should I use synonyms and related keywords?

Yes! Synonyms and LSI keywords help search engines understand your content’s context and improve your chances of ranking for a wider range of queries.

How can Blogging Machine help?

We automate the entire process — research, writing, and optimization — so you get high-performing blog posts without the hassle. Learn more at bloggingmachine.io.

Final Thoughts

Targeting too many keywords on your site isn’t just unnecessary — it can actually hurt your SEO. Focus on relevance, quality, and user experience. And if you’d rather not think about keywords at all, let us handle it. After all, you’ve got better things to do (like finally taking that lunch break).

Further Reading:

Ready to let AI handle your content? Visit bloggingmachine.io and see how effortless SEO blogging can be.