Keyword density measures how frequently a keyword appears on a webpage relative to the total word count. You can calculate it with this formula:
Keyword Density = Number of Times Keyword Appears / Total Number of Words
For example, if you use “keyword density” 20 times in a 1,000-word article, your keyword density would be 2%.
While many SEO experts have promoted ideal keyword densities—some suggesting 2% to 3%, others advocating for 4% to 5%—there’s no universally optimal density.
Google has consistently emphasized that keyword density isn’t a critical ranking factor. In fact, they’ve addressed this directly in a 2011 video explaining that there’s no magic number for keyword density.
Instead of fixating on how often you use your keywords, focus on creating content that reads naturally and offers genuine value. The key is to avoid keyword stuffing—using your keywords excessively to the point where it feels spammy to both readers and search engines.
By prioritizing high-quality, relevant content over rigid keyword formulas, you’ll better engage your audience and improve your SEO performance.