Does Meta Keyword Affect Ranking in Google Search?

Keywords are the first thing you might think of when you talk about SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

In short, you do keyword research, open a website CMS (example: WordPress), then put those keywords in the keyword meta tag in the Yoast plugin, RankMath, or SEO plugin for example, and finally write content.

The question is, can entering keywords in meta keywords affect your website ranking in Google Search?

Well, to find out the answer, please read on until the end of this article.

Existing claims arise because meta keywords are considered as "bridges" of information between the content topics discussed with search engines, in this case Google, but do not rule out other search engines.

Moreover, according to the author's experience, around the 2014s and below, many SEO bloggers invited us to include keywords in this meta tag.

Not to mention the SEO plugins that "force" us to enter at least one keyword into the meta keyword column.

The goal is one, because the keyword meta tag is considered an important element to increase the ranking of our website.

Proof of Disclaimer: Meta Keywords Are Not a Factor Influencing Ranking

In 2009, Google Search Central published information about this meta keyword tag.

The document asks whether Google uses keyword meta tags in its search ranking?

The answer is NO.

Our web search (which is used by many people every day, Google.com) does not use meta keyword tags at all.

The keyword meta tags do not have any effect on Google's search ranking.

Then, why does Google ignore the use of keyword meta tags?

Because the keyword meta tag is manipulated quite often, Google has started ignoring the keyword meta tag over the years.

Conclusion: Meta Keywords CANNOT AFFECT RANKING

In the past, the keyword meta tag was something that could not be missed and we had to fill it in.

Now? It's clear, no longer, the meta keyword tag is no longer a factor that can affect ranking in Google Search.

Then in which meta tags should you include keywords?

The answer is in the description meta tag.