Should I Bother With the Meta Keywords Tag?
Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re still losing sleep over the meta keywords tag, you might be living in a world where dial-up internet is king and MySpace is the next big thing. But hey, we’ve all clung to outdated trends (looking at you, cargo shorts). So, should you bother with the meta keywords tag on your pages? Let’s break it down — lightly, informally, and with just enough irony to keep things interesting.
The Meta Keywords Tag: A Brief (and Slightly Dusty) History
Once upon a time, in the wild west of the early internet, the meta keywords tag was the secret handshake of SEO. You’d stuff it with keywords, hit “publish,” and — voila! — watch your site climb the rankings. Fast forward to 2025, and that handshake is about as useful as a floppy disk at a cloud computing conference.
Key Fact: Google officially stopped using the meta keywords tag as a ranking factor in 2009. Bing and Yahoo soon followed. As of today, every major search engine ignores it entirely (Google Search Central, SurferSEO).
Why Did Search Engines Abandon the Meta Keywords Tag?
Let’s be honest — people abused it. (Shocking, right?) The meta keywords tag became a playground for keyword stuffing, spam, and general tomfoolery. Search engines, being the responsible adults in the room, decided to ignore it altogether.
Expert Insight:
"Meta keywords are no longer relevant for SEO as major search engines have ceased to consider them for ranking purposes since 2009." — SurferSEO, 2024
So, unless you’re optimizing your site for a search engine that’s stuck in a time warp, the meta keywords tag is about as relevant as your old Tamagotchi.
Are There Any Legitimate Uses Left?
Surprisingly, yes — but only if you squint. Some internal site search systems (think custom CMS setups) might reference the meta keywords tag to help users find content within your own website. But this is rare, and frankly, there are better ways to handle internal search (like, you know, actual search functionality).
Security Tip: Including meta keywords can inadvertently reveal your target keywords to competitors. Why hand over your SEO strategy on a silver platter?
What Should You Focus On Instead?
If you’re still reading, congratulations — you’re officially ready to move on from the meta keywords tag. Here’s where your energy is better spent:
1. Title Tags
Title tags are the Beyoncé of meta tags: always relevant, always in the spotlight. They’re a critical ranking factor and the first thing users see in search results.
- Best Practice: Keep them concise, unique, and relevant to each page (Moz Guide).
2. Meta Descriptions
While not a direct ranking factor, a well-written meta description can boost your click-through rates. Think of it as your site’s elevator pitch — make it count.
- Best Practice: 140–160 characters, engaging, and matches the page’s intent (Yoast SEO).
3. Image Alt Text
Not just for SEO — alt text is crucial for accessibility. Plus, it helps your images show up in search results, which is a nice bonus.
- Best Practice: Be descriptive and relevant to both the image and the page (W3C Accessibility Guidelines).
4. Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps search engines understand your content and can enhance your listings with rich snippets. It’s like giving Google a cheat sheet for your site.
- Best Practice: Use schema markup wherever possible (Google Structured Data).
Best Practices for Meta Tags in 2025
Tag Type | Importance for SEO | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
Meta Keywords | None | Omit unless needed for internal site search |
Title Tag | High | Concise, relevant, unique for each page |
Meta Description | Medium | Engaging, 140–160 characters, matches page intent |
Image Alt Text | Medium | Descriptive, relevant to image and page |
Structured Data | High | Use schema markup for enhanced search listings |
Industry Guidelines and Regulations
If you’re the type who likes to follow the rules (or at least pretend to), here’s what the experts say:
- Google Search Central: Focus on meta titles, descriptions, and structured data — not meta keywords.
- SEO Industry Consensus: The meta keywords tag is a relic. Using it can even signal to others that your SEO strategy needs a tune-up.
Unique Insights: What the Pros Know
- Streamline Your Code: Removing unnecessary meta tags (like meta keywords) can slightly tidy up your site’s code. It’s not a game-changer, but every bit helps.
- Stay Current: Using outdated SEO tactics can make your site look behind the times. And let’s face it, nobody wants to be the digital equivalent of the office fax machine.
How BloggingMachine.io Makes SEO Effortless
Here at bloggingmachine.io, we’re all about working smarter, not harder. Our AI agent doesn’t waste time on the meta keywords tag — it’s too busy generating SEO-optimized articles that actually move the needle. We automate content creation, keyword optimization, and topic research, so you can focus on the parts of your business that don’t involve deciphering ancient SEO myths.
Why settle for outdated tactics when you can have high-performing, SEO-friendly blog posts at the click of a button? We keep your content fresh, relevant, and engaging — no keyword stuffing, no meta keyword nostalgia required.
FAQ: Meta Keywords Tag Edition
Do any search engines still use the meta keywords tag?
No major search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo) use the meta keywords tag for ranking or indexing. If you find one that does, let us know — we’d love to meet them.
Can the meta keywords tag hurt my SEO?
Not directly, but using it can make your site look outdated. Plus, it can reveal your target keywords to competitors.
Should I use the meta keywords tag for internal search?
Only if your CMS or internal search system specifically requires it. For most modern setups, there are better solutions.
What meta tags actually matter for SEO?
Focus on title tags, meta descriptions, image alt text, and structured data. These have a real impact on search visibility and user engagement.
How can I keep up with SEO best practices?
Follow trusted sources like Google Search Central, Moz, and, of course, bloggingmachine.io for the latest tips and insights.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still adding the meta keywords tag to your pages, it’s time to let go. Focus on what works: engaging, well-optimized content, smart meta tags, and a strategy that’s rooted in today’s best practices — not yesterday’s fads. And if you want to make your life even easier, let us at bloggingmachine.io handle the heavy lifting. We promise, we’ve left the meta keywords tag in the past — right where it belongs.