Meta keywords, once an essential part of search engine optimization (SEO), have become less important over the years. In the early days of the internet, they allowed website owners to tag relevant keywords and phrases in the HTML code of their webpage to define the thematic focus of the page. At Apalion AG, we place great emphasis on the correct implementation of all meta information, including meta title and meta description, to ensure effective and user-friendly website design.
The origin and development of meta keywords
The first search engines to use meta keywords were Infoseek and Altavista. Their popularity peaked in the late 1990s, but over time search engines realized that they were an unreliable indicator of the content and quality of a website. With the advent of the commercial internet and the introduction of the first search engines, continuous work began on improving the visibility of websites. What is now known as SEO was then referred to as search engine placement or positioning. From 2001, the term SEO, which is used today for the optimization of online presences, became established.
The correct use of meta keywords
It is important to understand that simply placing hundreds of meta keywords in an area that is invisible to the user does not create relevant content. In the past, meta keywords often contained information that had no relation to the actual content of the website, resulting in user-unfriendly optimization. This practice, known as keyword stuffing, is a feature of black-hat SEO, in which the guidelines of search engine operators are not observed.
Avoidance of black-hat SEO techniques
In the world of SEO, it is essential to avoid black hat SEO techniques that are often associated with the improper use of meta keywords. These techniques can have negative consequences for the website's ranking and should therefore no longer be used. Search engines such as Google take strict action against such violations, and websites that use such techniques can be penalized or even excluded from the Google index.
The relevance of meta keywords today
Nowadays, search engines such as Google no longer attach any importance to meta keywords, as was confirmed back in 2012. Instead, the title tag, meta description and robots meta tags are more crucial for SEO. At Apalion AG, we focus on helping you create an effective and user-friendly online presence that complies with current SEO standards.
SEO today: Beyond the meta keywords
In the modern SEO landscape, it is advisable to focus on optimizing content, using relevant keywords in the text, improving the user experience and building quality backlinks. Thorough keyword research is also essential to identify keywords that your target audience is searching for and that fit your topic.
Apalion AG: Your partner for sustainable SEO
Our team at Apalion AG focuses on developing forward-thinking concepts that enable appropriate visibility. We place particular emphasis on the correct formulation and application of relevant metadata to achieve the best possible results. Our focus is not only on search engines, but also on user-friendly optimization - for content and technical adaptations created by people for people.
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