Using MetaTags Correctly

Using variations of keyword ok?

[PeteyWheatstraw]

Hi guys,

I know from reading other posts, that Google doesn't take metatag keywords into much account, but some of the other SE's do.
So I had a question. Suppose my main keyword was "widgets". Is it ok to use variations of this keyword in my metatags without it being considered some sort of spamming?
For example,( metal widgets, plastic widgets, discount widgets, stainless steel widgets )

I have a pretty good ranking on Google and Yahoo as of now, for a pretty competitive keyword. But I want to add these variations for other SE's that depend on metatag keywords.

Thanks for the input

[tedster]

Back in the days where the keyword tag mattered (and as you mention, it really doesn't matter much today) I would have suggested that you never repeat a keyword more than three times in meta tag, not even in different phrases.

And back in the day, the various search engines also said contradictory things. Some said: never put a keyword in the metatag that isn't in the copy. Others said: this is the place to put those synonyms and spelling variations that aren't in the copy.

Today, the one place I think keywords come into play is when you are paying for a trusted feed in a PFI program. Outside of that situation, I don't know where the tag matters. As a general rule of thumb, if it matters anywhere at all, the search engine is likely to be limiting to the first 100 characters, maybe 10 words or so. So I'd suggest not doubling up.

[lazerzubb]

As tedster say back in the days :)

Most pages i publish i don't even have meta tags what so ever, if i do, i only use the description tag, which can be used every now and then.

[PeteyWheatstraw]

Thanks for the input guys. I figured it wouldn't have much relevance, but seeing as how Google is changing things up lately, I didn't want to concentrate on putting all of my eggs in one basket.

Thnaks Again