◦ Comprehensive security
◦ 24/7 support
WordPress Guide → SEO → Keywords
WordPress keywords: adding, optimizing, and more
Keywords are the foundation of good SEO. Get them right, and you’ll draw in readers who are already searching for exactly what you offer. Get them wrong, or ignore them entirely, and your content might never show up in search results at all.
Let’s break down exactly how to use keywords in WordPress, where to place them, and how to manage them with or without plugins.
Get fast, reliable hosting for WordPress
Power your site with the industry’s fastest, most optimized WordPress hosting
What are keywords in WordPress SEO?
Keywords are essentially the terms people type into search engines to find content. When you write a blog post, product page, or any other piece of content, you want it to show up when someone searches for those terms.
In WordPress, keywords don’t have a specific built-in field like they used to (back when “meta keywords” were still a thing). But they still matter. Where and how you place keywords in your site structure and content helps search engines determine relevance, and helps your audience find you more easily.
How to research the best keywords for WordPress
Before you write a single sentence, start with keyword research. This tells you which phrases people are actually searching for, and how competitive those phrases are.
To get started:
- Use a tool like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.
- Look at search volume. (How many people are searching monthly?)
- Consider keyword relevance. (How much does it relate to your business or the topic of your site?)
- Identify long-tail keywords, which are longer, more specific phrases with less competition and higher intent.
- Analyze each keyword for intent. (Based on organic search results, what does it seem like people want to find when they search that term?
Once you’ve got your list, assign a focus keyword to each post or page. Don’t try to rank for everything at once—target one main idea per URL.
Where to put keywords in WordPress
Once you’ve picked a keyword, the next step is to use it in all the right places. The most important consideration for all of these, however, is to use the keyword naturally. Don’t force it where it doesn’t feel normal.
Here’s where to consider keywords in WordPress content:
Post and page titles
Your title should include your focus keyword, ideally near the beginning. For example, instead of “10 Tips to Improve Your Blog,” go with “Blog SEO Tips: 10 Ways to Boost Visibility.”
Headings (H1, H2, H3)
Use your keyword in at least one subheading (like an H2). This helps reinforce the topic and makes your content more skimmable.
Content body
Use the keyword naturally throughout your post. Don’t force it into every paragraph. And use variations or related terms like you would normally. (It helps to read your content out loud if you’re not sure.)
URL slugs
Edit the permalink for your page or post to include your keyword. Keep it short and avoid unnecessary filler. For example:
yourdomain.com/wordpress-keywords
Image alt text
Add descriptive alt text to all images, and include your keyword where it makes sense. This improves image SEO and makes your site more accessible.
How to add and optimize keywords using SEO plugins
SEO plugins make keyword management much easier, especially for beginners. The two most popular options are Yoast SEO and Rank Math.
Here’s how they help:
- Focus keyword field: Both plugins let you assign a focus keyword per page or post.
- Real-time suggestions: They’ll alert you if the keyword is missing from important areas like your title, headings, or content.
- Readability analysis: Helps ensure your content is clear and skimmable.
- Snippets and previews: You can preview how your post will appear in search results.
Just install the plugin, go to a post, and scroll down to the plugin box to start optimizing.
How to add keywords in WordPress without plugins
If you don’t want to use a plugin, you can still optimize manually. Here’s how:
- Titles: Manually write a keyword-rich title when creating your post or page.
- Headings: Use your keyword in at least one heading tag.
- Body content: Sprinkle the keyword and related terms throughout the post.
- URL slugs: Use the “Permalink” field to manually edit your URL before publishing.
- Image alt text: In the block editor, click an image and enter alt text in the right-hand panel.
You won’t get real-time SEO feedback, but this approach works fine if you’re confident in your writing and want a lightweight setup.
Focus keywords vs keyword stuffing: finding the balance
Choosing a single focus keyword for each post helps clarify the topic for search engines. But it’s just as important not to overdo it.
Keyword stuffing happens when you repeat the same phrase so many times it starts to feel spammy. This can hurt your rankings and turn off your readers.
To avoid it:
- Use variations and synonyms of your keyword
- Write for humans first, not bots
- Read your post out loud to check for awkward phrasing
- Focus on clarity and helpfulness
Long-tail keywords: why they matter for WordPress SEO
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “how to optimize WordPress posts for SEO” instead of just “WordPress SEO.”
Why use them?
- They’re easier to rank for.
- They target users closer to conversion.
- They bring in more qualified traffic.
How to organize keyword strategy across your WordPress site
Once you have a few posts live, it’s time to think bigger. A smart keyword strategy avoids duplication and keeps your content focused.
Here’s how to organize your keyword use:
- Use topic clusters: One pillar post for the main keyword, with supporting posts for related long-tails
- Focus on intent, instead of individual keywords. The truth is, one keyword might have more than one intent, based on who is using it. Your content strategy should be based on the content your audience needs, not a strict keyword list.
- Avoid cannibalization: Don’t publish multiple posts competing for the same keyword. If something isn’t working, go back and update the content.
WordPress keywords FAQs
Next steps for WordPress keywords
Getting the most out of WordPress keywords means knowing where to put them and how to use them naturally. Done right, they can significantly improve your visibility and bring in the audience you want.
If you’re just getting started with SEO in WordPress, begin with a reliable keyword research tool and experiment with plugins like Yoast or Rank Math to guide your on-page optimizations.
Ready to upgrade your WordPress experience? Professional hosting improves speeds, security, and reliability for a website and a brand that people find engaging and trustworthy. Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting options configure business-class servers and support plans specifically for WordPress websites.
Don’t want to deal with server management and maintenance? Our fully managed hosting for WordPress is the best in the industry. Our team are not only server IT experts, but WordPress hosting experts as well. Your server couldn’t be in better hands.
Click below to explore options or start a chat with one of our WordPress hosting experts now to get answers to your questions and further guidance.
Additional resources
Comprehensive guide to securing WordPress with ModSecurity
→
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to use ModSecurity to enhance the security of your WordPress site.
Best WordPress robots.txt template (example) →
Discover the best robots.txt template to guide search engines and boost your WordPress site’s SEO performance.
Why security matters for WordPress enterprise hosting
→
Use the blog as your guide to attacks to watch out for, security best practices, and steps to improve the WordPress protection you already have.
Alexis Wisniewski is an Organic SEO Manager at Liquid Web. She has been leading SEO, primarily for technology brands, since 2013, specializing in SEO content and strategy. When she’s not reading and writing online, she’s usually reading and writing offline, or spending time with her family in the Chicagoland suburbs.