Commas in Meta-Tags

Does it matter if we use commas or not?

[EM2o0]

Does search engine index the meta-tag by each individual word or by phrase?
like: "red widget, blue widget, black widget, orange widget, blue widget"

Should i use keywords like that or is it better to have: "red, blue, black, orange, blue, widget"

Also if the word 'widget' apperes many times in the keyword would that be considered spamming?

[skibum]

I'd go with one long string of words and phrases with no commas. Often times one or more words end up getting repeated many times over. Say the page is all about golf communities. The keyword tag may end up being texas golf community nebraska golf community amarillo golf community................. In this case the main keyword will get repeated numerous time in order to include the main keyword with all the different regional modifiers.

There have never been any problems we've experienced by doing things this way.

[kneelsit]

Assume you are talking "meta-keywords" in which case don't worry either way, as these days they have seem to have little relevance for SE results (except maybe Inktomi which seems to look there if it can't find the word in the main text).

Even so avoid "keyword stuffing" as a lot of surfers may look at your code and if they see this it immediately flashed a red signal SPAMMER.!

[rmjvol]

FWIW, here's what Ink has to say about the keyword meta tags.

Put phrases that relate to this page in the Keywords line, separated by commas.

They comment on titles & meta description as well on the same page:
Inktomi Content Policy [inktomi.com]

rmjvol

[wangdy]

I've always thought that the inclusion of commas indicates the usage of a phrase... this blue widget as a phase is inputted into the meta field... rather than having a blue and widget meta tag. Am I wrong?