Keyword density still important?

I thought keyword repitition was dead!

[Thanasus]

So I go to www2.google.com and do a search for <snip>. The first several results I get have a server which has been down for several days but I finally decide to look at the cached page. Holy crap!

I recall reading a thread here about keyword density being dead. Must not be the case. Its the type of SEO from way back when but apparently it still works. i mena, these pages are a consummate example of what NOT to do. Now I get to explain to my staff why we must play by the rules and not do what is getting this guy to the top.

So perhaps keyword density is still an important factor...

[edited by: Marcia at 6:37 am (utc) on Oct. 28, 2002]
[edit reason] no specifics please, per forum charter and TOS [/edit]

[rfgdxm1]

This long search phrase isn't that competive. Pretty easy to get to the top by keyword stuffing.

[martinibuster]

I have noticed that less competitive keyword phrases can be dominated by sloppy methods. Makes sense. The SE grabs whatever's at hand.

Like a teacher calling on whoever has their hands up. If only five people have their hands up, guess who's going to be in the top five?

The seo challenge comes when there are hundreds actively competing for attention. Nice.

[jimh009]

Just out of curiosity, how "dense is dense" as far as keyword density goes? Is there a certain percentage of keywords to word total ratio that is considered right? And is there a certain percentage that triggers penalties from Google?

Jim

[WebGuerrilla]

Our most recent thread on Google and KWD [webmasterworld.com].