How much is too much?

what's the best keyword density checker?

[oaktown]

I am trying to avoid "keyword stuffing". I saw a thread in which Brett pointed to a great tool and have seen several others. My problem is that when I check for my primary keyword, the tool Brett suggested says 20% plus while all the others are saying 3-4%.

Which number should I trust? And while we're at it, is there any consencus as to what the optimum number is? Thanks to all in advance.

[anallawalla]

Keyword density has been a very minor part of the ranking puzzle for the main engines and you can test it by submitting the top ranking results to a density checker.

I have stopped using those tools but use my own judgment to use them sparingly. I don't use them for spacers, for example. I use a single keyword for a visible image. I try to code the page to have the body content logically higher than the navigation elements.

[oaktown]

Thanks anallawalla!

You're right, keyword density is does not seem to be a major factor in the algo at this time. You're right again that looking at the top of the SERPs will produce a goodly number of pages that either are obviously stuffed with keywords and don't contain the relevant keyword at all. You're spot-on.

But that said, my question is "hich density checker is best and how much is too much" To be clear, I am doing some post-launch review on a few sites and want to be sure that G doesn't think I am "over the line".

I used several online tools and, using one site as an example, all but one of them came in at 3-5%. The lone standout said "23%". I believe that the content I now have is informative and reads well, but I have seen suggestions that about 7% is optimum. I think I even recall Brett saying something about this as part of an ancient but very thoughtful post about "22 steps to $1,000 a day" (or something like that).

What I am trying to determine is

A) which of the online tools gives a count closest to what G will see?

B) how much is too much?

I have seen postings of people saying that they are ranking well at 20%+ but I have doubts that most readers would bother to read content with that structure.

Any advice from you guys will be most welcome. Thanks.

[mona]

which of the online tools gives a count closest to what G will see?

The only one I've used is Brett's so I can't compare one from another. That being said...

I used several online tools and, using one site as an example, all but one of them came in at 3-5%

Might you assume that if every tool but one is showing 3-5%, those tools work and that other one doesn't?

how much is too much?

70%? 50%? 30%? Unfortunately there's no definite answer to your question, oaktown. This topic has been discussed many times here over the years. If you're feeling ambitious, there's plenty to read on the subject... [google.com]