Question about keyword format

[WallaceCleaver]

I was wondering how I should set this up. Let's say that I run a site that sells widgets, kits to build widgets, widget paint, and widget polish. My understanding is that my keywords should be formatted as follows, so as to not spam the search engine: "widget, paint, kits, polish". Is this correct or should I format them as: "widgets, widget kits, widget paint, widget polish"? I would think that my former example would work for those searching for widget kits, but I just wanted to be sure. In my opinion the latter example would only serve to spam the search engine. Right?

[gcross]

Personally, I would use them BOTH ways:

widget, paint, widget paint, kits, widget kits, polish, widget polish.

That way, if people search for "widget polish" as well as +widget +polish, they will still return your site. If you don't, you'll probably lose those visitors who are most avidly searching for you.

Just my two cents:)

[JamesR]

>build widgets, widget paint, and widget polish

First of all, you are going to have a lot of competition on those keywords ;)

It's really not going to make a bit of difference, I think one engine that I know of uses keyword tags now and I don't even follow that engine anymore if you follow me

>WallaceCleaver

I recognize that name from somewhere.... ;)

[dauction]

I dont know james..inktomi claims to place high value on Keywords..

"How does Inktomi determine what keywords are relevant to my Web Page/s?
Rather than trying to determine specific keywords that are relevant to a Web Page, Inktomi will index the meta-tags and the full text of the Web Page/s you submit through Inktomi Search/Submit.

For example:

When someone enters a keyword to conduct a search, Inktomi looks for the presence of that keyword on your Web Page.
If the keyword is on your Web Page, your Web Site will be included in the search results.
If the keyword is near the top of the page, in a headline or title, in the meta-tags in the Web Site's HTML coding, and/or appears frequently within the viewable text of the page, your Web Page will appear higher in the Search Engine results. "

I thhink gross has the right idea...

to prevent the tags from being spammy I use the keyword density "theory" not only in the page but also in the tags..

[WebGuerrilla]

From [inktomi.com...]

Q: What's best to do with the Keywords meta-tag?
A: This line is not as important as is commonly believed. Put phrases that relate to this page in the Keywords line, separated by commas. Don't bother including very common phrases, such as "expert" or "rock and roll". The Keywords line should always be tailored for the particular page; if it's the same for every page on your site, you are really better off not using the Keywords line at all. Don't overload the Keywords line; as a rule of thumb, if you're putting things in the Keywords line that aren't in the rest of the page, you're probably putting too much in.

It almost sounds like Ink spent some time reading at WebmasterWorld before writing that. :)

[dauction]

WG..sounds like INK is speaking out of both sides of their mouth !LOL

maybe the old everything in moderation rule is best ..