Not only do I hear this SEO myth of adding more keywords all the time, I still see it in action on local websites. Just add more keywords? Wrong!
Back in the early days of the internet when we wanted our websites to rank better, we just started adding keywords.
Your website doesn’t rank high enough? Add more keywords!
And then add the same keywords again and again.
By adding “Petoskey Michigan website designer” ten or fifteen times to a page, Google had to get the message… right?
This is still one the oldest search engine optimization myths that is active the internet.
Stuffing keywords won’t work for you today. Google is much smarter.
SEO Myth: Just add more keywords
Maybe adding lots of keywords worked a decade ago.
Not today.
Keyword stuffing not only makes your website harder for people to read, your site is less effective in search.
it doesn’t make your content more useful for AI-powered search.
Keywords Still Matter. Keyword Stuffing Doesn’t.
Using the right keywords is still incredibly important.
They help search engines understand what your web page is about.
Good keywords will connect you with potential customers when they’re searching.
But there’s a big difference between using keywords strategically and stuffing them everywhere they’ll fit.
Try to read this out loud:
Looking for a Petoskey website designer? Our Petoskey website designer provides Petoskey website design for businesses looking for a Petoskey website designer in Petoskey, Michigan.
Sure, it contains important keyword phrases for my business.
A lot.
Do you think humans want to keep reading content like that?
Probably not.
Human visitors and modern search systems do not need you to repeat that same phrase in order to better understand what you do and where.
Write About the Topic, Not Just the Keyword
Today’s SEO is about being more helpful and answering questions for potential customers.
On my website, instead of repeating “website designer in Petoskey Michigan” throughout the page, I need to create useful content about what I do, such as:
- Website design services
- The actual towns and communities I serve
- What customers can expect when they hire me
- Most frequently asked questions from real people
- Examples of website projects I’ve completed
- Years of experience and expertise
I’m no longer trying to convince Google that I’m a website designer.
My goal is to show potential clients and Google exactly what I know, the services I offer, and where.
Use One Clear Topic for Each Page
One of the best SEO practices I recommend is giving each important page its own clear purpose.
Don’t try to jam everything onto your homepage with details on every service you provide.
If you offer three major services, create three useful pages. One page for each services.
For example:
- Website Design in Petoskey, Michigan
- Website Design
- Ecommerce Websites
- Local SEO & Google Business Profile
Each page has room to thoroughly explain one subject. This works much better than squeezing a bunch of different keyword phrases onto the homepage.
Service pages helps visitors find exactly what they’re looking for without having to hunt.
It also gives search engines clearer information about your business.
Think Beyond the Exact Keyword
We don’t all search the same way anymore.
You might type:
• Petoskey website designer
Another person might search:
• Web design company near me
And a different business owner might ask:
• Who can create a website for my start up business in Petoskey with fees for my budget?
The way we use voice search and AI-powered search is much more conversational today.
That’s why repeating one exact keyword phrase is a really bad strategy.
Instead, use related words, services, locations, and questions that help explain the overall topic.
Answer Real Questions
I talk about this all the time. Real Q&As and FAQs are my favorite SEO strategies.
Because they’re incredibly useful for human customers.
What questions do people ask you before hiring or buying from you?
All those real questions people ask you should be on your website with a helpful answer.
For me, questions might include:
- How much does an entry-level website cost?
- Do your websites include SEO?
- What do you need from me to build a successful website?
Use your real questions to create a great FAQ page. Or just add Q&A sections to your service pages.
If you have a common question with an especially long answer, that could become a great blog post.
The idea is to create content about the things people are actually searching for and need help with.
So stop trying to cram another keyword into a paragraph and write naturally.
What About AI Overviews for SEO?
That “just add more keywords” approach is especially outdated when it comes to AI Overviews.
AI-powered search is trying to understand the meaning, context, relationships, and useful answers on your website. Keyword stuffing never works here.
I wish I had a magic keyword formula that guarantees appearing in an AI Overview.
But there isn’t one.
Instead, focus on creating content that’s clear enough for both people and machines to understand.
Explain who you are, what you do, where you do it, who you help, and what makes your information useful.
- Use descriptive headings.
- Answer specific questions.
- Keep important information current.
- Create dedicated pages for important services.
- Include useful local information when location matters.
- Demonstrate real experience and expertise.
That’s much more useful than mentioning “Petoskey Michigan Website Designer” another ten times.
The SEO Check
Each page on your website should answer the question, “What is the main topic of this page?”
Make sure your primary topic or keyword appears naturally in important places such as:
- The page title
- Main heading
- Introductory content
- Relevant subheadings
- Web page URL
- Meta description
- Image alt text
Then, read your page like a customer.
Does it sound natural? Does it answer their questions? Does it explain the subject thoroughly?
If the answer is yes, good job! You’re heading in the right direction.
Write for People Searching, Not Search Engines
This is the most important thing to keep in mind for today’s SEO.
Write for humans first. Google likes that.
Keywords help search engines understand your content, so don’t remove keywords from your SEO strategy.
Focus on creating helpful content gives Google and AI something worth understanding.
The lesson here is to stop overusing the same words thinking Google will finally notice.
Oh, Google noticed. The reaction wasn’t good.
So play it smart.
Remember, keyword stuffing is no longer a strategy for SEO.
Good SEO is helpful and fresh content.
