tedster - 11:22 pm on May 27, 2002 (gmt 0)

The meta keywords tag really is of diminishing value lately, partly because so many authors stuff it with words that are not relevant to their page.

Google is in the forefront here - they just don't look at the tag, period. They prefer that their algo make up it's own mind about what searches the page is relevant for, rather than take the page author's word for it.

There are still search engines that use the keywords meta tag to varying degrees, but no one should imagine that putting a keyword in the meta tag is like placing an order for traffic. The page title and on-the-page content have MUCH more influence on the search returns.

So, yes, use the keywords meta, but don't agonize over what goes in the tag. It's true, you can place as many words as you want, but after maybe 7 to 10, it's unlikely they will have much effect with any search engine anywhere. I use the tag mostly as a note to myself for what keywords I've been targeting on each particular page.

Just be ordinary about it.