For years, SEOs have wondered if Google still uses meta keywords as a ranking signal. The short answer? No — Google stopped using meta keywords way back in 2009. But understanding why it happened, and what you should do instead, still matters if you want to build a healthy on-page SEO strategy that aligns with modern algorithms.

Let’s break it down clearly — what meta keywords were, why Google abandoned them, and what tags truly move the needle today.

What Are Meta Keywords?

Meta keywords are snippets of text placed inside a webpage’s HTML code to tell search engines what the page is about. They used to look like this:

<meta name=”keywords” content=”seo, google ranking, backlinks, on-page optimization”>

Back in the early 2000s, search engines used these tags to understand a page’s topic. It was a simple system — until marketers started abusing it by stuffing hundreds of irrelevant keywords to manipulate rankings.

Today, while this tag still exists technically, Google completely ignores it when determining rankings. However, a few smaller search engines (like Baidu or Yandex) still consider it, especially in non-English markets.

Are Meta Keywords Relevant for SEO?

Why Did Google Discontinue The Use Of Meta Keywords?

In 2009, Google officially announced that it no longer uses meta keywords in its search algorithm. The main reason? Keyword spam. Too many sites used the tag to deceive the algorithm by adding trending or unrelated words that didn’t reflect their content.

Matt Cutts, then head of Google’s Webspam team, confirmed that Google ignores the meta keywords tag entirely — it’s not used for ranking, crawling, or indexing. This shift pushed SEOs to focus on quality content, semantic relevance, and user experience instead of keyword stuffing.

Should You Remove Meta Keywords From Your Web Pages?

If your website still has meta keyword tags, don’t panic — they don’t harm your SEO, but they don’t help either. Think of them like a fax machine in the email era — technically functional, but irrelevant. Removing them can clean up your codebase, especially if you manage a large site or want faster crawls.

However, if you’re targeting search engines like Baidu or Yandex, you can keep them selectively for regional SEO campaigns.

If Meta Keywords Are Not Valid, What Should You Do?

Modern SEO relies on signals that provide real value to users and search engines. Focus on optimizing elements that directly influence rankings — like meta titles, descriptions, headings, and internal links. These give Google strong context about your content’s relevance and authority.

You can explore my 1-to-1 SEO Consultation program if you’d like a professional review of your on-page setup and technical tags.

How Do You Remove The Meta Keywords?

Removing meta keywords is simple. Here’s how you can do it safely:

• Open your site’s HTML header or SEO plugin (like Yoast or Rank Math).
• Find the line that starts with <meta name=”keywords” …>.
• Delete that tag and save your changes.

If you use a CMS like WordPress, check your SEO plugin settings — most modern themes ignore meta keywords automatically. For enterprise sites, you can use a crawler like Screaming Frog to identify pages that still contain the tag and bulk-remove them.

5 Alternative Tags Important For SEO

Title Tags

Title tags remain one of the most critical on-page ranking factors. They tell both users and search engines what a page is about. Keep them under 60 characters and ensure each page has a unique title targeting its main keyword.

Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, H4, etc.)

Header tags organize your content and help search engines understand its hierarchy. Use one H1 for your main topic and break sections logically with H2s and H3s. This not only improves readability but also keyword relevance.

Meta Description

While meta descriptions don’t directly affect rankings, they strongly influence click-through rates (CTR). A clear and engaging description encourages users to click your result in SERPs. Include your main keyword naturally and stay under 155 characters.

Image Alt Text

Alt text describes images for visually impaired users and helps Google understand your visuals. Optimized alt attributes can boost your visibility in image search and improve accessibility — both essential for SEO best practices.

Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Schema markup helps Google interpret your content more accurately, enhancing how it appears in search results (like rich snippets). Implement structured data for articles, products, FAQs, or local businesses to boost visibility and trust.

Want to learn how to set up Schema step-by-step? Check out my SEO Tools page where I share resources for schema testing and validation.

Which Search Engines Still Use Meta Keywords?

Even though Google ignores them, a few search engines still use meta keywords to some extent:

• Baidu: China’s largest search engine still considers the keywords meta tag, especially for content in Chinese.
• Yandex: Russia’s main search engine sometimes uses meta keywords to categorize content during crawling.
• Naver: South Korea’s platform also allows keyword meta usage but prioritizes content engagement signals more heavily now.

However, if your business primarily targets Google’s ecosystem, focus your efforts on quality content and user intent instead of reviving old-school tags.

FAQs

Does Google penalize sites that still use meta keywords?

No. Google simply ignores them — there’s no penalty for keeping them on your site, but they add no SEO value.

Are meta keywords useful for any purpose today?

Yes, some SEOs use them internally as content tags or for CMS organization. But for rankings, they’re obsolete.

Should I use the same keywords in meta tags and content?

You should use your main keywords in the title, headings, and naturally within content — not in a separate meta keywords tag.