Free Keyword Density Analyzer

Analyze word frequency and keyword density in your content. Find over-optimized keywords and discover your most-used phrases.

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What is Keyword Density?

Keyword density is the percentage of times a keyword or phrase appears in your content compared to the total word count. It's calculated as: (Number of times keyword appears / Total word count) × 100.

A Brief History

In the early days of SEO (late 1990s-2000s), keyword density was a primary ranking factor. Writers would stuff keywords at specific percentages (often 3-5%) to rank higher. Today, search engines use sophisticated AI that understands context and intent, making raw keyword density far less important—but it's still useful for detecting over-optimization.

Why Keyword Density Still Matters

Avoid Keyword Stuffing: High density (over 3%) can trigger spam filters and hurt rankings.
Ensure Topic Coverage: If important keywords don't appear at all, search engines may not understand your topic.
Natural Writing Check: Checking density helps ensure your writing flows naturally.
Competitor Analysis: Compare your density to top-ranking pages to find patterns.

What's the Optimal Keyword Density?

There's no magic number, but here are general guidelines:

0.5% - 2%

Natural range. Your primary keyword should appear this often for most content types.

2% - 3%

Caution zone. May be acceptable for short content, but watch for forced usage.

Over 3%

Risk of keyword stuffing. Likely sounds unnatural and may hurt rankings.

The Modern Approach

Instead of focusing on exact keyword density, modern SEO emphasizes topical relevance. This means covering related topics, using natural variations, and answering user intent. Search engines now understand synonyms, related concepts, and context far better than simple keyword matching.

Single Keywords vs. Phrases

Single Keywords

Individual words that appear frequently in your content. Useful for understanding overall topic focus, but can include many generic terms.

Example: "marketing", "strategy", "content"

Multi-Word Phrases

Two or three-word combinations that repeat. More valuable for SEO analysis because they often represent your actual target keywords.

Example: "content marketing", "digital marketing strategy"

Keyword Optimization Best Practices

Write for humans first: If a keyword feels forced, it probably is. Prioritize natural, helpful content.
Use keyword variations: Instead of repeating the exact phrase, use synonyms and related terms. "SEO tips," "search optimization advice," and "improving search rankings" all signal the same topic.
Focus on strategic placement: Where keywords appear matters more than raw count. Include your primary keyword in: title, first paragraph, at least one subheading, and conclusion.
Consider content length: Longer content can naturally include keywords more times without high density. A 2,000-word article with 20 keyword uses (1%) is better than a 200-word article with 6 uses (3%).
Check competitor patterns: Analyze top-ranking pages for your target keyword. What density do they use? What related terms appear?

Go Beyond Keyword Density

Keyword density is just one metric. Content Raptor analyzes entities, topics, and competitor strategies to show you exactly what to cover for better rankings.

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Remember: the best content answers user questions comprehensively. Focus on being helpful, and keyword optimization will often follow naturally.