Definition

Keyword stuffing is the practice of loading a webpage with keywords or numbers in an attempt to manipulate rankings in Google Search. Google lists it as a violation of its spam policies.

Google describes keyword stuffing as keywords appearing out of context or unnaturally often, such as repeating a phrase like 'unlimited app store credit' throughout a page. The practice often produces text that reads awkwardly for visitors. Using a relevant term naturally within useful content is not keyword stuffing; the policy concern is repetition or insertion intended to influence ranking rather than to inform the reader.

Examples

• Repetitive phrasing

  A product page that repeats 'cheap flights cheap flights cheap flights' across paragraphs and footer text is an example of keyword stuffing.

• Lists out of context

  A page that pads its content with long blocks of city names or phone numbers solely to match many search queries reflects keyword stuffing.

Sources

• Google Search Central — Spam policies: Keyword stuffing

Related terms

• Spam Policies
  Google's published rules describing behaviours and techniques that can lower a site's ranking or remove it from search results.
• Thin Content
  Pages with little or no original value to users — for example, auto-generated text, scraped content, or copied affiliate descriptions.
• Hidden Text
  Text or links placed on a page so search engines can read them but human visitors cannot, used to manipulate rankings.
• Doorway Page
  A page created mainly to rank for specific queries and funnel visitors to another destination rather than serve them directly.
• Keyword Research
  The process of identifying the search terms people use to find information, products, or services related to a given topic.

Where QueryCatch uses this

• Page Optimisation
• SEO Audit