How many SEO keywords should I use for a blog post or website page? Start with one primary keyword and add related secondary keywords when they help answer the topic. There is no fixed number that guarantees higher Google rankings.
The goal is not to fit 10, 20, or 50 phrases into one article. It is to create a useful page that matches search intent and naturally covers the questions people have about the subject.
Quick answer: Choose one primary keyword, then group closely related secondary keywords and questions around it. Use as many as the topic genuinely needs—not a predetermined number.
How Many Keywords Should You Use for SEO?
For a focused blog post, one primary keyword is a practical starting point. Add secondary keywords that share the same search intent and help explain the subject.
For example, an article targeting how many keywords should I use for SEO could also answer:
- How many keywords should a blog post target?
- What are primary and secondary keywords?
- Does keyword density matter?
- How can you avoid keyword stuffing?
These questions support the same topic, so they can fit naturally into one article. A search about Google Ads keyword selection, however, has a different purpose and may deserve a separate guide.
Google does not prescribe a keyword count for a page. Its SEO Starter Guide focuses on making content useful and understandable rather than repeating every possible search phrase.
Quick tip: Do not count keywords just to reach a target. Ask whether each term helps you answer the reader’s question. If it does not add value, you probably do not need it.
What Does the Data Tell Us?
There is useful evidence that one page can rank for many related search queries without targeting every phrase individually.
Ahrefs study: 3 million search queries
In a study published in 2017, Ahrefs reported that the average page ranking in position one also ranked in Google’s top 10 for nearly 1,000 other relevant keywords. The median was around 400.
Source: Ahrefs’ study of pages ranking for multiple keywords.
What this means: A page can attract traffic from related searches when it covers a topic well. These figures describe observed rankings in that study; they are not current benchmarks, guaranteed results, or a target for the number of phrases to add to your article.
The practical lesson is simple: choose a meaningful topic, cover its relevant subtopics, and avoid creating separate pages for every tiny wording variation.
Primary vs Secondary Keywords: An Example
A primary keyword describes the main topic of a page. Secondary keywords are related phrases or questions that help you cover the topic in more detail.
| Keyword role | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Primary keyword | How many keywords should I use for SEO | Defines the main question |
| Secondary keyword | How many keywords per blog post | Answers a closely related question |
| Secondary keyword | Secondary keywords in SEO | Explains the supporting terms |
| Related concept | Keyword density | Clarifies a common SEO misconception |
| Related question | What is keyword stuffing? | Explains what to avoid |
These are examples of how to organise an article, not a verified keyword-volume report. Validate search demand and competition for your target country before finalising your keyword plan.
For more examples of keyword types, read our guide to SEO keywords examples.
How Many Keywords Should a Blog Post Target?
The number depends on the topic’s scope. A short answer to a narrow question needs less coverage than a detailed guide with several connected subtopics.
| Content type | Recommended planning approach |
|---|---|
| Short, focused post | One primary keyword and a few relevant supporting terms |
| Standard blog post | One primary keyword and related questions that share its intent |
| Detailed guide | One main topic with several relevant subtopics |
| Pillar page | A broad topic with organised sections and links to deeper guides |
This is a planning framework, not a Google rule. Do not make an article longer or add phrases simply to reach a keyword target.
How to Choose Secondary Keywords
1. Understand the search intent
Search intent is what a person wants to accomplish with a search. They may want to learn something, compare options, find a local provider, or take action.
Search for your primary keyword on Google and review the results. If people are looking for a tutorial, write a tutorial. If they are comparing tools, provide a genuine comparison.
2. Find related searches
Use Google autocomplete, relevant People Also Ask questions, and keyword research tools to discover related phrases. You can explore ideas with Google Keyword Planner, Semrush Keyword Overview, and Google Trends.
Tool features and available metrics may depend on the account or plan. Treat search volume and keyword difficulty as estimates, not guarantees.
3. Group keywords by meaning and intent
This is where semantic SEO helps. Instead of building a page around repeated phrases, organise the content around the main topic and the related concepts readers need to understand.
For this article, relevant concepts include primary keywords, secondary keywords, search intent, keyword density, and keyword stuffing. Each belongs because it helps answer the central question.
Do not include every phrase that contains the word “keyword”. Searches about keywords in a C++ program, an academic abstract, or Google Ads have different intents and should not be added just to increase keyword coverage.
4. Review competing pages
Check whether the current search results answer the question clearly. Look for useful details that are missing, but do not copy competitors or add sections merely because they have them.
5. Prioritise relevance over volume
A high-volume keyword is not automatically the best choice. A phrase should fit your website, match your audience’s needs, and be something you can answer well.
Quick tip: Before adding a secondary keyword, ask: “Would including this help the reader understand the topic better?” If the answer is no, leave it out.
What Is the 80/20 Rule in SEO?
The 80/20 rule is a general prioritisation idea: a relatively small share of your pages or activities may account for a large share of results. It is not an official Google rule, and the exact ratio is not guaranteed.
For example, Google Search Console may show that a few pages attract most of your organic clicks. You can use that information to decide which pages to update, improve, or connect to relevant resources.
Use your own data rather than assuming that 20% of your pages will always generate 80% of your traffic.
How Many Types of SEO Keywords Are There?
There is no universally accepted official list of exactly 16 or 32 SEO keyword types. Different guides classify keywords in different ways, such as by length, search intent, branding, location, or buying stage.
Common categories include:
- Short-tail: Broad phrases, such as “SEO”.
- Long-tail: Specific phrases, such as “how to find keywords for a new blog”.
- Informational: Searches made to learn something.
- Commercial investigation: Searches made to compare options.
- Transactional: Searches that suggest readiness to take action.
- Local: Searches with local intent or a location.
- Branded: Searches that include a brand or product name.
These categories can overlap. A long-tail keyword can also be informational or local. You do not need to force every phrase into only one category.
How to Use Keywords Without Keyword Stuffing
Use keywords where they help readers and search engines understand the page:
- SEO title and H1: Clearly describe the page’s main topic.
- Opening paragraph: Introduce the subject early and naturally.
- H2 and H3 headings: Organise the answer into meaningful sections.
- Body content: Use relevant terms when they fit the explanation.
- Internal links: Link to related pages using descriptive anchor text.
- Image alt text: Describe meaningful image content accurately when images are used.
- Meta description: Summarise the page clearly for potential readers.
There is no universal keyword density target that guarantees rankings. Google’s spam policies describe keyword stuffing as the unnatural repetition or insertion of terms to manipulate search rankings.
How to Measure Results After Publishing
After your article is published and indexed, use Google Search Console to review the queries and pages receiving impressions and clicks.
- Impressions: How often the page appears in Google Search.
- Clicks: How often people visit from search results.
- Queries: The phrases associated with your page’s search visibility.
- Click-through rate: The proportion of impressions that result in clicks.
Look for relevant queries your page already appears for. Improve the content when a useful question is missing or an explanation is unclear. Do not add every new query as an exact-match phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SEO keywords should I use?
Start with one primary keyword and a relevant group of secondary keywords and questions. There is no fixed number for every page. Focus on search intent and useful coverage.
How many keywords should a blog post target?
Use one primary topic and cover the related phrases and questions that belong to the same intent. The scope of the article determines how much supporting content it needs.
What is an example of primary and secondary keywords?
For a page about keyword research, the primary keyword could be “how to find keywords for SEO”. Related secondary phrases might include “keyword research for beginners” and “how to choose SEO keywords” when they match the article’s purpose.
Does keyword density matter?
There is no universal keyword density target that guarantees rankings. Use natural wording and avoid repeating a phrase just to reach a percentage.
Can one page rank for multiple keywords?
Yes. A page can appear for many relevant search queries, including variations you did not deliberately target. The Ahrefs study cited above illustrates this, although its figures are historical and not a promise of future results.
What is the 80/20 rule in SEO?
It is a general prioritisation concept, not an official Google rule. Use your own performance data to identify the pages and improvements that deserve attention first.
Final Takeaway
Do not choose a keyword count first and then write around it. Choose a clear topic, understand what the searcher needs, and include related terms only when they help answer the question.
One primary keyword is a useful starting point. Relevant secondary keywords help you cover the topic, while clear headings, useful examples, and relevant internal links make the page easier to navigate.
For more practical examples, read the Lee Growth guide to SEO keywords examples.
I’m Leena Kalyana, a Delhi-based freelance digital marketer and graphic designer. I work across SEO, content marketing, social media, and digital design. I’m interested in helping businesses build a stronger online presence through practical SEO strategies, useful content, and creative digital marketing.