The same keyword on multiple pages, but not all (combined with other relevant keywords) for products.

[annabel.schoeman]

Hi Guys,

I want to get an opinion/advice on this. My client has a site that have all their products (I am working on expanding the product descriptions, benefits and how they differ from each other) listed and I just want to know if I can use the term 'gear oil' for example on multiple pages as one of the keywords. The product range (among others like transmission fluid and anti-freeze) is gear oil (with the different types of gear oils available described) and I can't really change what the product is.

I do have different variations (such as gear lubricant, automotive gear lubricant, car gear oil etc.) but will it do damage if I use the same keyword (like gear oil) on multiple pages (along with another relevant keyword that does not involve the words gear oil)?

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated!

[Adlanera]

Nowadays, I'm also trying to rank my page on the keyword of lubricant services. My website and page is hosted on WordPress and NOw I'm working on Link building to rank it.

[annabel.schoeman]

Okay cool! Thank you so much for all your help and advice - I really do appreciate it!!

Thank you again!

[Philip-DiPatrizio]

It's a good idea to include your main keyword in the meta description because when Google does show your custom meta description, the keyword will be bold if it matches the search query.

However, keep in mind that meta descriptions do not help your rankings at all.  Google announced this a while ago.  Despite not helping rankings, meta descriptions are still useful because they may help increase click thru rates on the SERPs

Matt Cutts did a good video on meta descriptions back in November 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4gr88oHb-k

[annabel.schoeman]

Hi,

Thank you so much for replying - this really helped me out a lot!! That video was gold as well!

Just one more question (and apologies if it is a dumb one, but I thought of it after watching the video) - I know that using meta keyword tags are redundant. But in my Meta description, do I rather make use of my relevant keyword, the gear oil keyword or both?

I want to create a meta description that is relevant and gives great info, without being to grabby with the keywords. I also know search engines do sometimes create their own meta description that they feel are more 'relevant'.

Thank you again!

[Philip-DiPatrizio]

First of all, I assume that by "using the keyword" you just simply mean an instance of it on the page somewhere.  If you happen to be referring to the meta keywords tag, that's a whole other topic, but you shouldn't be using that meta tag.

Anyways, there is nothing wrong with using the keyword "gear oil" on multiple pages.  Since there are different types of gear oils available, it's simply unavoidable, and Google understands this.  Imagine you have a site about food, and on that site you have a lot of pages about pizzas.  Pepperoni pizza, sausage pizza, sardine pizza, Hawaiian pizza, etc.  In this scenario, it would be as if you're posting the same question as you did, but asking if it's okay that you used the keyword "pizza" on multiple pages.  Of course that's okay

The whiteboard Friday from a couple days ago actually discussed almost exactly what you're asking.  You should definitely check it out: http://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/blog/keyword-targeting-density-and-cannibalization-whiteboard-friday