Tag Archive for: Analytics

You can create the most helpful, well-optimized content on the web.

But if you mess up the title tag, none of that will matter.

The title tag is the blue, clickable headline that shows up in search results.

It’s also your one shot at convincing a reader to choose your content over everyone else’s.

A subtle tweak to the title tag can make all the difference.

Take this example from the Backlinko blog: rain

Original title tag: “17 Ways to Get More Views on YouTube in 2025”

Position: 4th in search results

Improved title tag: “17 Powerful Tactics To Get More YouTube Views in 2025″

Position: 1st in search results and the featured snippet

Same topic, same content. Wildly different result.

But, why did that second title tag work better?

And how can you get the same results?

In this guide, I’ll break down what makes a title tag work.

I’ll cover real examples, a simple framework for writing them, and tools you can use to improve your title tags — and search results — today.

What Is a Title Tag?

A title tag is a line of HTML code that tells search engines (and searchers) the title of your webpage.

Think of it as your content’s elevator pitch — your chance to convince a searcher that you have the answer to their questions.

A title tag isn’t something that readers will see on the webpage itself. It’s the text that appears:

• As the blue hyperlink in search engine results
  

  

• As the text on a browser tab m
  

  

• In some social media previews of your web content
  

  

Behind the scenes, it looks like this in your website code:

<title>How to Create an Effective SEO Strategy in 2025</title>

Why Title Tags Matter

Google’s guide says title tags are key for both readers and search rankings.

Our research backs that up.

We analyzed 11.8 million Google search results and found that most first-page results include some or most of their target keyword in the title tag.

In other words, a clear title tag that uses the keyword is your ticket to the first page.

But simply ranking isn’t enough.

Even if your page shows up in the search results, it won’t matter unless people actually choose to visit it.

That’s why your title tag also needs to be human-friendly. It’s your one chance to win the click.

And that click really matters.

The No. 1 result in Google gets an average click-through rate (CTR) of 27.6%.

The result in position 10? Just 2.4%.

That’s more than 10x fewer clicks and a massive difference in traffic.

So, a strong title tag doesn’t just help your page show up in search results.

It also encourages more people to click on your link, which can help your page move even higher in the rankings.

There’s one more reason title tags in SEO are so important:

If you get the title wrong, Google might just rewrite it.

Studies show Google rewrites around 61% of title tags in search results.

Usually because they’re too long, vague, or overloaded with keywords.

And when that happens, you lose control over what shows up in the search engine results page (SERP).

Sometimes Google will just grab the heading (H1) of the page.

Other times, it’ll generate something entirely new. And not always better.

If you want to make sure your pages look polished in the search results, writing a solid, search-optimized title tag is non-negotiable.

Title Tags vs H1 Tags

Personally, I used to muddle these up. So if you’re confused about the difference between title tags and H1s, you’re not alone.

Your title tags and H1 tags should both convey the same information.

They don’t need to be word-for-word the same, though.

For instance, we’ve written an article with the heading “What is Content Marketing?”

That’s the H1 tag.

But our title tag is “What Is Content Marketing? Complete Beginner’s Guide.”

Different, but clearly covering the same information.

Write Better Title Tags With the 3C Framework

Your title tag has one job: get more clicks.

The 3C Framework gives you a simple way to create titles that rank well AND get clicked more than your competitors.

Clear

The title should tell people what your page is about. No need to guess.

Bad:

“Solutions That Work for the Modern Business”

What does that even mean?

Better:

“CRM Software for Small Businesses | Free Trial Available”

It tells Google what the page is. And it tells humans why they should click.

Clickable

Ranking is only half the battle. The other half? Getting the click.

To do that, your title needs to stand out and make people want to learn more.

Bad:

“Marketing Strategy Guide”

It’s fine, but a bit blah.

Better:

“Marketing Strategy Guide: Get Explosive Growth in 7 Days”

It’s actionable, shows value, and uses an emotional power word (“explosive”).

Want some ideas for turning bland language into more clickable titles?

Contextual

You need to give readers (and search engines) context — and that means keywords.

But tread carefully. No stuffing allowed.

Bad:

“Email, Email Marketing, Email Campaigns, Email Tips”

Likely to get rewritten. Also just annoying for readers.

Better:

“Email Marketing Guide for Beginners (2025 Edition)”

Front-loaded keyword, used once, in a natural way.

Want to try it out yourself?

Here’s an AI prompt you can use to incorporate these rules when writing your title tag:

For example, for the keyword “marketing strategy,” ChatGPT gave me:

• Marketing Strategy Guide: Build a Plan That Gets Results
• Proven Marketing Strategy Tips to Grow Your Business
• How to Create a Marketing Strategy That Works
• Effective Marketing Strategy Examples + How to Use Them
• Marketing Strategy Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Approach

Not bad for a few seconds of work, right?

Optimize Your Title Tags for Search Engines

You need titles that both Google and humans love.

These optimization tips help search engines understand and rank your content higher.

1. Match Your Title to What People Are Searching for

Before you write your title tag, look at what’s already showing up in Google for your keyword.

This helps you understand what searchers want and what kind of content Google is rewarding.

Here’s how to do it:

Google Your Keyword

Type your keyword into Google and look at the top 5–10 results.

Look for Patterns

Are most of the results lists?

That usually means people are exploring or comparing their options. Try a title like “Top 10…” or “Best Tools for…”

Do they include the current year?

People want the latest updates. Add the year to your title to show it’s fresh.

Are the pages explaining a concept?

People are looking for information or education. A title like “What Is X? [+ Examples]” works well.

Do you see a lot of tutorials?

People want a walkthrough. Go with a how-to title like “How to Do X Step-by-Step”.

When your title matches what people are looking for, they’re more likely to click. And Google is more likely to show your page.

2. Keep It Short

If you go too long, you risk Google rewriting it.

If you go too short, you miss an opportunity to engage your readers.

When we analyzed 4 million search results, we found that titles between 40-60 characters have the best click-through rate.

Titles in this range get 8.9% more clicks on average.

So, that’s a good starting point. But here’s what really matters:

Google truncates title tags based on pixels (the actual width of the letters), not characters.

Around 580–600 pixels is the max width before your title gets cut off.

And on mobile, titles often get truncated even earlier.

So while ~40–60 characters works most of the time, it’s not guaranteed.

Want to check your title before hitting publish?

Use a free tool like the Mangools SERP Simulator. Just make sure to switch it to mobile view first.

3. Use Keywords First

This helps in two ways:

• Google tends to focus on words at the front of the sentence
• Readers (usually) read from left to right, so the keywords will stand out to them

One exception here:

For listicles, it’s often better to lead with the number.

Think “5 Powerful AI Tools for Content Creation” rather than “Content Creation Tools: 5 Powerful Options.”

It gives readers a clear idea of what to expect.

4. Give Each Page a Unique Title Tag

Google doesn’t like duplicate or boilerplate titles:

So if you duplicate your SEO title tags (or just change a single word), you’re more likely to have them rewritten.

Instead, take a moment to craft a unique title tag for every page.

One that accurately reflects the content and intent of that specific URL.

5. Match the Title to the Content

Simple, but important.

Your title has to accurately reflect what’s on the page.

If you’ve promised “The 17 Most Important SEO Tips,” there had better be seventeen juicy bits of SEO wisdom there.

Google might rewrite your title if it doesn’t match your content.

More importantly, you’ll annoy your readers, and they’ll bounce right off the page.

Also, remember to be specific, not vague.

Generic titles like “Home” or “Services” don’t help readers know what they’ll see if they click.

6. Vary Your Title and H1 Tags

If your title and H1 are identical, you’re missing an opportunity to hit additional keywords.

Plus, you’ll typically want to use the title tag to say what the page is about, and the H1 to get more detailed or conversational.

For example:

vs.

• The title tag is contextual and clickable. It includes a number, a benefit, and a clear topic.
• The H1 tag is more conversational and reader-friendly. It’s aimed at people who already know what’s on the page.

You can also include multiple variations of your keywords (e.g., “email marketing tips,” “email campaigns,” “email marketing”) without repeating yourself.

Compare Good vs. Bad Title Tags (Across Industries)

Great title tags don’t just follow best practices. They match intent, highlight value, and stand out in crowded search results.

Let’s break down a few real examples (good and bad) to show what works — and what to avoid.

SaaS

Keyword: “project management for small businesses”

The first result we get is from Zapier:

Why it works:

• It matches why someone would be searching and shows the benefit they’ll get from reading
• It includes the keywords so the reader knows they’ll get exactly what they’re looking for
• It includes the power word “best”

Compare that with this result from Scoro, way back on page 10.

Why it doesn’t work:

• It’s too vague. The reader doesn’t know what they’ll get if they click.
• It doesn’t match what the reader is looking for
• It’s jargon-heavy. It assumes we’ll know what PSA Software is.

Ecommerce

Keyword: “buy leather backpack”

Here’s the first result:

Why it works:

• Hits both “leather” and “backpack”
• Addresses searcher needs — includes both genders, links backpacks to travel
• “Best” works as a power word

And here’s one from page 10:

Why it doesn’t work:

• Leading with “MINA BAIE” wastes valuable space (this isn’t a household name)
• A diaper bag isn’t obviously the same as a backpack, so it misses search intent
• “Modern” is vague and lacks emotional punch

Local Business

Keyword: “coffee shops in Austin”

Here’s a result from the top of the SERPS:

Why it works:

• Matches exactly what this searcher might be looking for
• “Awesome” is an appealing emotional power word
• Location-based

And here’s one from page 10:

Why it doesn’t work:

• Too much brand, not enough benefit
• Doesn’t match search intent
• Jargon-heavy — what is a neighborhood work club anyway?

Landing Page

Keyword: “seo strategy template”

Why it works:

• Clearly stated benefit — you get what you were looking for
• Hits all three keywords
• “High-level” sets an expectation about scope — if that’s what you need, you’ll find it here

Google breaking its own rules here:

Why it doesn’t work:

• Doesn’t clearly communicate that the page offers SEO strategy templates
• Lacks a compelling reason to click
• Overly branded — many searchers won’t recognize or be looking for Looker Studio

How to Analyze and Improve Your Title Tags

Got title tags already? Let’s find the ones losing you clicks.

These simple analysis methods show which titles need fixing ASAP for quick traffic wins.

Check Your Current Title Tags

Audit your existing title tags to spot issues like:

• Titles that are too long, too short, or duplicated
• Titles that don’t clearly describe the page
• Titles that don’t match what people are searching for

A few tools you can use:

Google Search Console

First, open Google Search Console and select your website property.

If you’ve never used it before, or you have a new website, take a look at our Guide to Google Search Console to get started.

On the left-hand menu, under “Performance“, click on “Search results.” This report shows how your site appears in Google Search.

Click on the “Pages” tab.

This shows performance data for individual pages on your site.

Look for pages with high impressions but low clicks.

High impressions + low clicks = your page is showing up but not convincing people to click.

These are the pages where improving your title tag could make a big difference.

Semrush On Page SEO Checker

Use Semrush’s On Page SEO Checker to make sure your title tags include your target keywords, without keyword stuffing.

First, configure the tool to crawl your site and collect data.

Then, head to the “Optimization Ideas” tab to see a list of your pages along with the number of suggestions for each one.

Click on the “# ideas” next to any page.

In the “Content” section, you’ll see whether your title tag uses your target keywords appropriately.

Semrush Site Audit

Use Semrush Site Audit to spot duplicate or missing title tags.

Once the audit is complete, go to the “Issues” tab and type “title tag” into the search box.

The tool will show you a list of issues related to title tags — like duplicates, titles that are too long, or ones that match the H1 exactly.

Click on the issue to see the list of affected pages.

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

You can also use Screaming Frog to spot title tag issues.

Download the free version of the app (available for Windows, Mac, or Linux). Then, follow the installation steps.

Open the tool, type your homepage URL into the search bar at the top, and click “Start.”

Screaming Frog will begin crawling your site. This can take a minute or two.

Once the crawl is done, click “Page Titles” to see a full list of your website’s title tags.

Use the filter dropdown or look at the “Issues” column to find problems.

Watch the Right Metrics

Here are the numbers to keep track of:

• CTR: If you update a title and your CTR jumps, it’s probably working. You can check this in your Pages report in Google Search Console.
• Impressions without clicks
  This means you’re showing up in search results, but nobody’s clicking. Go back to the 3Cs. Is it clear, clickable, and contextual?
• Ranking changes
  If a page drops in search rankings after a title change, maybe Google doesn’t like the new version.

Or, maybe you’ve missed the user intent this time round.

Steal These Winning Title Tag Formulas

Writing title tags from scratch every time? No, thank you.

Below are three proven formulas that we use at Backlinko to craft headlines that stand out.

List or Number Formula

• Formula: X [Unique Adjective] [Topic]
• Why it works: Lists provide clarity and set expectations but need unique adjectives to grab attention.
  

  

The Keyword-Colon Formula

• Formula: [Content Topic]: [Actionable promise]
• Why it works: Directly addresses the topic and hooks the reader with an actionable promise.
  

  

The Keyword-Question Formula

• Formula: [Keyword Question]? [Promise]
• Rationale: Answers the reader’s question head-on and draws them in with a clear benefit.
  

  

Need More Ideas?

We analyzed 150+ real title tags from top-ranking SEO content and combined that with AI-trained insights from thousands more.

The result?

Over 50 proven, plug-and-play formulas you can use to boost clicks and match search intent — no guesswork required.

Time to Fix Those Title Tags

Your title tag is more than just metadata. It’s your best shot at earning the click.

So, don’t let it go to waste.

Pick your top three pages, apply what you learned here to improve your title tag SEO, and track the results.

Want to keep leveling up?

Head over to our On-Page SEO Guide for more ways to boost traffic, rankings, and engagement.

The post Title Tags: How to Write Them <br>(+ Steal Our Formulas) appeared first on Backlinko.

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Back in the early 2000s, keyword stuffing actually worked.

All you had to do was repeat the same phrases, and you could rank pretty well.

(Readability be damned.)

I’m not exaggerating here — these sites were literally littered with keywords.

Like this one from 2005.

Yes, this is a real site I found on The Wayback Machine.

And yes, “online casinos” was used enough times to make your eyes burn.

But that game is over.

Today, keyword stuffing makes your content unreadable and unrankable.

Google’s smarter. Users are pickier. And spammy tactics? They get flagged fast.

So, if you’re still stuffing keywords, you’re not just stuck in the past — you’re tanking your chances of ranking.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What keyword stuffing looks like
• How it harms your SEO and credibility
• How to use keywords naturally to boost rankings and readability

Let’s start by examining how this tactic works and its rise to popularity.

What Is Keyword Stuffing?

Keyword stuffing is the practice of overloading your content with target keywords in an unnatural way to manipulate search rankings.

It’s considered a black hat SEO tactic, meaning it goes against Google’s guidelines and puts your site at risk.

So, what does it look like?

Here’s a keyword stuffing example straight from Google:

No one talks like that.

And no one wants to read it, either.

You might think that SEO keyword stuffing only happens in blog content or sales copy.

But it shows up in other places, too:

• Headings and subheadings
• Meta titles and descriptions
• Anchor text
• Navigation menus
• Page footers
• URLs

Wherever it appears, the result is the same: stiff, awkward content that adds no value for the reader.

Google also considers the following to be keyword stuffing:

• Lists of phone numbers with no context or purpose
• Blocks of cities or regions to manipulate local rankings

Like this:

Then, there’s invisible keyword stuffing — which is exactly what it sounds like.

You don’t see it, but search engines do.

Some common examples:

• White text on a white background
• Text hidden behind an image
• Fonts set to 1px or less
• Keywords in HTML comments
• Hyperlinking just one character (like a period or dash)
• Alt text loaded with unrelated keywords
  

  

So, how did keyword stuffing become so widespread in the first place?

Let’s take a quick look back.

History of Keyword Stuffing

Back when E-E-A-T was just a gleam in Google’s eye, keyword stuffing reigned supreme.

Why?

Because early search engine algorithms relied heavily on keyword density to determine relevance.

The more times a keyword appeared on a page, the more relevant that page seemed to search engines.

For example, here’s another site I found on the Wayback Machine — this one from 2002.

As you can see, they used various tactics to manipulate their rankings.

Like blatantly adding a bunch of keywords into content blocks on their homepage.

I’m guessing this site sold “weight loss diet pills,” but I can’t be sure.

They also loaded their product pages with back-to-back keywords.

Like “antidepressants and antiaging supplements.”

(And made a bunch of bold medical claims without citing or linking to reputable sources.)

No E-E-A-T here, that’s for sure.

Thankfully, Google got smarter — and more serious about quality.

Over time, it rolled out various updates to detect manipulative tactics.

And rewarded content that actually helped users and met search intent.

This made it harder to cheat the system and easier for Google to flag spammy, keyword-packed content.

But it hasn’t stopped all site owners from engaging in this practice.

So, if your content reads like it was written for bots, don’t be surprised when Google treats it like spam.

How Keyword Stuffing Hurts Your Site

Using keywords is important for relevance.

But overusing them?

It carries more risk than you might realize.

Google Penalties

If Google detects keyword stuffing, it may lower your rankings or trigger a manual action.

Even worse, you may be wiped off the SERPs completely.

Google warns about this in its spam policies:

Recovery can take months of hard work.

And some sites never fully recover their rankings.

Poor User Experience

Even if you escape Google’s penalties, keyword-stuffed content creates a terrible user experience.

Users who land on these pages typically:

• Leave immediately (increasing bounce rate)
• Spend less time on page
• Rarely convert
• Never return

These negative engagement signals harm your overall site performance, too.

Damaged Brand Reputation

Keyword-heavy content can make your site appear spammy and unprofessional.

It signals to users that you’re more concerned with manipulating search engines than providing value.

This damages trust – the foundation of any successful brand.

Once users and search engines label your site as “spammy,” rebuilding that trust becomes difficult.

Lower Rankings

The ultimate irony of keyword stuffing?

It’s likely to achieve the opposite of its intended purpose.

Instead of boosting your rankings, it can make them plummet.

Today’s search algorithms prioritize:

• Relevant, natural content
• Positive user engagement signals
• Valuable information that satisfies search intent

As Google says:

How to Identify Keyword Stuffing on Your Site

Not sure if your content crosses the line from optimized to overkill?

Here’s how to spot keyword stuffing before Google and your readers do.

Manual Calculation

Old-school, but it works:

1. Count how many times your target keyword appears in your content
2. Divide by your total word count
3. Multiply by 100 to get the percentage

So, how do you know if your percentage is “good” or “bad”?

Keep in mind that the ideal keyword density doesn’t exist.

As Leigh McKenzie, Backlinko’s head of SEO, says:

Manual Assessment

One of the most effective ways to identify keyword-heavy content is to read it aloud.

If something feels stiff, repetitive, or robotic, your readers will feel it, too.

Ask yourself:

• Would I write this way if SEO wasn’t a factor?
• Does this content feel valuable and informative?
• Would real people enjoy reading this?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it’s time to revise.

WordPress Plugins

Using WordPress?

Plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math can help flag potential keyword stuffing.

These tools provide readability scores and keyword density calculations.

But keep in mind that these tools may miss subtle issues.

And typically won’t flag anything until it’s really obvious.

So, it’s best to use them as a guide rather than a final verdict.

On Page SEO Checker

Want a smarter, more in-depth look at keyword usage on your pages?

Use Semrush’s On Page SEO Checker.

Instead of manually scanning your content, this tool benchmarks your keyword usage against top-ranking competitors.

Here’s how to use it:

Enter your domain into the tool and press “Get ideas.”

Next, configure your settings.

(It’ll ask you to choose your location and preferred pages to analyze.)

When your report is ready, scroll to the “Top pages to optimize” section.

Click the blue “# Ideas” button next to any page to view detailed recommendations.

If keyword stuffing is detected, the On Page SEO Checker will call it out.

And show you exactly where the issue is.

Including the body content, meta tags, or headings.

If your keyword usage is clean, you’ll see notes like:

“No keyword stuffing detected in <h1> tag.”

You’ll also get recommendations for:

• Additional keywords to include
• SERP feature opportunities
• Internal linking suggestions
• Cannibalization issues
• Backlink ideas

Use the recommendations to create higher-ranking content that search engines and readers love.

6 Keyword Optimization Best Practices

So, how do you avoid keyword stuffing?

And still optimize your content without sounding like a broken record?

Here are some do’s (and a few don’ts) to help you strike the right balance.

1. Write for Humans, Not Search Engines

Keyword density isn’t a ranking factor.

So, don’t worry about hitting a specific number.

Focus on creating helpful content instead.

Answer your audience’s questions. Solve their problems. And satisfy their search intent.

Google calls this people-first content — content made for readers, not algorithms.

Yes, you should use your target keywords.

But if you’re covering the topic thoroughly, they’ll appear naturally.

For example, if you’re writing about meal prep for beginners, you’ll probably mention:

• Easy meal prep
• Weekly food planning
• Healthy lunch ideas

No keyword stuffing required.

Bottom line: If your content reads well out loud and actually helps someone, you’re on the right track.

2. Include Keywords in Key Elements

You don’t need to repeat your keyword 55 times.

But placing it in a few prominent spots helps Google (and readers) understand what your page is about:

• URL
• H1
• First paragraph
• Subheadings (minimally — mix it up with keyword variations)
• Title tag
• Meta description
• Alt text

Always prioritize natural language over forced keyword insertion.

3. Use Secondary and Semantic Keywords

Secondary and semantic keywords make your content more engaging.

They also make it easier for Google to understand what your content is about.

Secondary keywords are terms that are closely related to your primary keyword.

They help your content rank for a broader range of relevant searches.

For example, if your primary keyword is “vegetarian recipes,” secondary keywords would include:

• Vegetarian meal ideas
• Meatless recipes
• Vegetarian dinner recipes

Keyword research tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and others let you find secondary keywords.

Semantic keywords are contextually related words and phrases that help search engines understand the meaning behind your content.

These terms aren’t direct matches or synonyms.

For a vegetarian recipe article, semantic keywords would be “veggie burgers,” “tofu,” and “vegetarian chili.”

You’re likely to include these terms naturally.

But Google can also help.

Conduct a search for your primary keyword and check “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches” for ideas.

4. Avoid Irrelevant Keywords

Targeting irrelevant keywords won’t trick Google.

It’ll just confuse your audience — and dilute your topical authority.

For example, if your blog niche is fitness, don’t target irrelevant keywords like “top vacuum cleaners” or “best mattress.”

Even if you’re actually able to rank for these terms, it’s unlikely to do you any good past a bump in vanity metrics.

Aka — you might get clicks, but you won’t get conversions.

Plus, you’ll send confusing signals to Google about your site’s core purpose.

5. Don’t Use Grammatically Incorrect Keywords

During keyword research, you’ll inevitably run into terms that are misspelled yet somehow still get thousands of searches.

For example, “morgage calculator” gets 27,100 searches per month.

And “best morgage rates” gets 14,800.

But using misspelled keywords isn’t worth the risk.

They make your writing less credible and can make your site look spammy.

Search engines are smart enough to know what users actually mean when they search for “morgage” instead of “mortgage.”

As Google says:

Same goes for grammatically incorrect or just plain awkward keyword phrasing like:

• “Running shoes cheap”
• “How to train dog fast”

Yes, people search like this:

But you shouldn’t mirror that phrasing word-for-word.

Or you risk lowering the readability and trustworthiness of your content.

6. Spread Out Keyword Usage

Don’t use a bunch of keywords in a single paragraph or section.

Distribute them naturally throughout your content, from the introduction to the conclusion.

This creates a more cohesive piece that flows naturally while still signaling relevance to search engines.

How to Recover from Keyword Stuffing Penalties

Worried your rankings declined from excessive keyword usage? Don’t panic.

Recovery is possible with the right approach.

Check for a Manual Penalty in Google Search Console

First things first: confirm whether you’ve received a manual penalty.

Log into Google Search Console (GSC) and follow this path:

“Security & Manual Actions” > “Manual Actions.”

If you don’t have any manual actions, you’ll see this message:

If you have a manual action, you’ll see a report with the number of issues detected.

And a description of each one.

Like unnatural links, cloaking, thin content, and — you guessed it — keyword stuffing.

If you received a penalty, you’ll need to address the issues and submit a reconsideration request.

Fix the Issues

Once you’ve identified the problem pages, it’s time for cleanup.

But this isn’t just about fixing one page. It’s about showing Google you’ve changed your approach.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Rewrite keyword-stuffed content: Focus on clarity, depth, and user intent. Cut repetition and use natural phrasing and keyword variations.
• Remove hidden keywords: If you used any black hat tactics, such as white text on white backgrounds, keyword-stuffed alt tags, or hidden links, remove them from your site
• Upgrade the content: Check that each page meets search intent, thoroughly covers the topic, has meaningful information gain, and includes E-E-A-T signals. Like high-quality sources, author expertise, and expert insights.
• Audit your site: For best results, consider following the above steps for every page on your site (if possible) — not just the ones Google flagged. This may improve your chances of getting the penalty removed.

Request a Review

Once your content is cleaned up, go back to Search Console and follow these steps:

Open the “Manual Actions” section and click “Request Review.”

Next, you’ll be asked to check a box confirming you fixed all of the issues.

You’ll also need to explain what you fixed and how you did it.

Don’t copy and paste generic language. Be honest, transparent, and direct in your answer.

Explain the following:

• What caused the issue
• The exact steps you took to fix it
• The outcome of your efforts

Expect to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a response.

You’ll get an email with Google’s decision when the review is complete.

If your first request is denied, you can try again.

Stop Stuffing. Start Optimizing.

Google doesn’t count keywords anymore.

Why should you?

Ranking in 2025 isn’t about gaming the algorithm — it’s about creating content that actually helps people.

So, leave the keyword stuffing to 2005 and focus on what modern readers and search engines want:

Helpful, trustworthy content.

Ready to write content that reads and ranks well?

The post What is Keyword Stuffing? How to Avoid Doing SEO Like It’s 2005 appeared first on Backlinko.

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