Optimizing for singular or plural terms

how would you search?

[juniperwasting]

I was just having a discussion with a content writer about keyword density, and we decided that it would be best to optimize for a singular term would be best for that product. We thought to ourselves, how would we search for this? The singular term was our joint thought.

I wonder if this should be a per page decision or if there is a general rule of thumb to go by.

j

[digitalghost]

>>or if there is a general rule of thumb to go by

I always optimize for both versions. I create a page devoted to each phrase and use both the singular and plural version. If the singular or plural seems to be an uncommon search term I only link to the uncommon version from the site map. People searching for the uncommon version will find it, and the people that aren't looking for it will rarely see it.

[pageoneresults]

You can also be creative and find ways to use both singular and plural on one page. Depending on the term, this may be an applicable approach.

[juniperwasting]

I have been using the overture term suggestion tool, trying each version out to see the popularity. Should be a decent method. The uncommon term link from the site map is an interesting technique. My site map is a php script that updates automatically as pages are pulled to and from the client side of the store. Don't think I will be able to use that tip, but thanks.

j

[digitalghost]

>>I have been using the overture term suggestion tool, trying each version out to see the popularity

Overture does plurals? Since when?

[juniperwasting]

Your absolutly correct. I should probably pay closer attention to the thing.