How Many Keywords Per Page? The Real SEO Sweet Spot

Let’s cut to the chase: you’re here because you want to know how many keywords per page is the magic number for SEO. Not too many, not too few — just enough to make Google happy without sounding like a robot. (Spoiler: the answer is not “all of them.”)

At Blogging Machine, we’ve seen the wild west of keyword strategies — from the “stuff every synonym you can think of” era to today’s more nuanced, user-focused approach. So, let’s break down the facts, the stats, and the subtle art of keyword targeting in 2024 and beyond.

The Goldilocks Principle: Not Too Many, Not Too Few

If you’re hoping for a one-size-fits-all answer, sorry to disappoint. But here’s the expert consensus: focus on one primary keyword per page, then sprinkle in a handful of secondary and related keywords. This keeps your content focused, relevant, and far less likely to trigger Google’s “this looks spammy” alarm.

The Numbers Game

• 1 primary keyword (your main focus)
• 1–9 secondary keywords (depending on content length)
• Several LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords — these are contextually related terms that help search engines understand your topic

How does this scale with content length? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

(Source: Backlinko, Ahrefs, Search Engine Journal)

Keyword Density: The Delicate Dance

Remember when keyword stuffing was all the rage? Yeah, Google remembers too — and it’s not amused. The sweet spot for keyword density is about 1–2%. That’s 1–2 mentions per 100 words. Any more, and you risk sounding like a broken record (and possibly getting penalized).

Strategic placement matters more than sheer volume. Make sure your primary keyword appears in:

• The title tag
• The first paragraph (ideally within the first 100 words)
• Headings and subheadings
• Meta description
• Last paragraph
• Image alt text
• The URL

Keyword Cannibalization: When Too Much of a Good Thing Is… Bad

Here’s a fun SEO horror story: you write five blog posts about “best coffee beans,” and suddenly, none of them rank. Why? Keyword cannibalization. When multiple pages target the same keyword, they compete against each other, confusing search engines and diluting your ranking power.

Pro tip: Assign one main keyword per page. Use variations and long-tail versions to keep similar topics distinct. Your future self (and your analytics dashboard) will thank you.

Long-Tail vs. Short-Tail: The Keyword Showdown

Let’s talk about the underdogs: long-tail keywords. These specific phrases might not get as much search volume as their short-tail cousins, but they’re easier to rank for and often bring in more qualified traffic.

• Long-tail keywords: Lower competition, higher conversion, naturally capture multiple related terms.
• Short-tail keywords: High competition, broad intent, require more strategic optimization.

Fun fact: The average first-page result on Google ranks for about 1,890 keywords — mostly thanks to long-tail variations and natural language use. (Source)

Best Practices for SEO in 2024 (and Beyond)

SEO isn’t about chasing every keyword under the sun. It’s about quality over quantity. Here’s how the pros do it:

1. Pick one primary keyword that perfectly matches your page’s topic.
2. Choose supporting keywords that expand on your main idea.
3. Write for humans first, search engines second. If it sounds awkward, it probably is.
4. Review your data (Google Search Console is your friend) to spot new keyword opportunities.
5. Focus on user intent — what are people actually looking for?
6. Don’t forget image alt tags — they’re an easy win for extra relevance.

How AI Tools Like Blogging Machine Make This Effortless

Let’s be honest: manually researching, selecting, and optimizing for the right keywords per page is… a lot. That’s where we come in. Blogging Machine’s AI agent automates keyword research, optimization, and content creation, so you can focus on running your business (or, you know, enjoying your lunch break).

Our platform analyzes your niche, identifies the best primary and secondary keywords, and crafts SEO-optimized articles that sound like a real human wrote them (because, well, we trained our AI on the best). No more guesswork, no more keyword stuffing, and definitely no more cannibalization nightmares.

Curious? Check us out at bloggingmachine.io.

Tracking and Measuring: Less Is More

Trying to track 50 keywords per page is a recipe for confusion. Stick to 1–4 keywords per page — this lets you measure performance accurately, make targeted improvements, and keep your content laser-focused.

FAQ: Keywords Per Page

How many keywords should I target on a single page?

Aim for one primary keyword and a handful of secondary/related keywords (up to 9, depending on content length). Quality and relevance matter more than sheer numbers.

What happens if I use too many keywords?

You risk keyword stuffing, which can hurt readability and get your page penalized by search engines. Plus, you might accidentally cause keyword cannibalization.

Can one page rank for multiple keywords?

Absolutely! Thanks to long-tail variations and natural language, a well-optimized page can rank for hundreds — or even thousands — of related search terms.

Is keyword density still important?

Yes, but don’t obsess. Aim for 1–2% keyword density and focus on natural, engaging writing.

How can AI help with keyword optimization?

AI tools like Blogging Machine automate keyword research, selection, and placement, ensuring your content is both SEO-friendly and reader-friendly — without the manual headache.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on one main keyword per page, support it with relevant secondary terms, and write content people actually want to read. If you want to make life easier (and your rankings better), let us handle the heavy lifting.

For more on SEO best practices, check out these resources:

• Moz: Keyword Research
• Google Search Central: SEO Starter Guide
• Search Engine Journal: Keyword Cannibalization
• Ahrefs: How Many Keywords Should You Target?

And, of course, don’t forget to visit bloggingmachine.io for effortless, AI-powered SEO content that actually works.

Because sometimes, the best way to win at SEO is to let someone (or something) else do the heavy lifting. We’re just saying.