What is considered "Over Optimization" for SEO?

[entourage212]

Based on the new algorithm changes in Google.

[SEODinosaur]

Keyword Stuffing, having too many keywords on one page. Anything that looks unnatural on site. You can not really get punished for offsite because you can not control it. Your competitors would have a field day on you if off site stuff could be penalized for.

[entourage212]

Is there a percentage ratio? A good content writer can implement a keyword / phrase several times on a page with it looking "normal / natural"

[SEODinosaur]

Yes keep it under 10% keyword to content ratio. This is what PR web recommends for their articles, I am sure it is safe and applies to all pages on the web.

[entourage212]

Cool thank you.

[Dr-Pete]

In terms of the current algorithm change, we really don't know yet. I suspect that Donnie's right - it's really the same sort of stuff that we've referred to as over-optimization all along:

• Keyword stuff copy, titles, URLs
• Aggressive exact-match anchor text
• SEO-targeted copy (like 1000s of thin pages that only differ by a keyword)
• Suspicious code-order changes
• Hidden or partially hidden content

I suspect that, unlike the past, Google may start treating over-optimization more like Panda. In other words, dozens of over-optimization variables will get fed into a model and spit out one unified factor. I also suspect the threshold will be pretty high - you're going to have to be knowingly manipulating your site in an aggressive way. I don't think anyone is going to get penalized for an extra keyword repetition or a TITLE that's a bit too long.