How to rank same page for multiple related keywords

[vtmoz]

We need some of our pages to rank for multiple related keywords. But we cannot optimise one page for multiple keywords which might end up ranking for none of them; at the same time we cannot optimise it for one keyword as we ignore other keywords. I think creating multiple landing pages for very related keywords will confuse users and search engines as well. How to handle this?

[Igor.Go]

If keywords are really very similar, the search engine will know that. Which means you don't have to shove each keyword in your title and heading. Just make sure it appears casually throughout the text.

Otherwise, to rank for multiple keywords you need to provide big and quality piece of content. For example this article http://www.speedhunters.com/2008/07/the_101_gt_gt_drift_weapons_of_choice/
Ranks for tons of keywords that aren't similar at all. Such as four door drift cars, classic rwd cars, rwd ford, rear wheel drive toyota cars and etc: http://i.imgur.com/UrjFG2N.jpg 580 keywords total in US.This should give you an idea of what type of content can rank for multiple keywords.

[Guest]

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[Optimal_Strategies]

From our own experience first step is to create great content with natural flow of keywords. Then we'd advise to do some external linking, followed by other activities that would lead to links to relevant keywords in article or better to article url. SERPS crawler will catch keywords that are necessary without webmaster interference (mentioned earlier by igor and james).

Once and foremost - great content with support of promotion to relevant sources. Many times before got links from sources we couldn't ask for simply by showing expertise. It's that easy.

[GWMSEO]

Google does recognize synonyms and near synonyms. You may, however, try to give Google a little help by using your related terms in h2, h3 and the meta-title. Make the content natural, and try and get the terms above the fold. It's old school, but it still works.

Doing a TF/CF analysis for those terms with a tool like OnPage.org or Vectorfy may also help. There may be subtle differences in vector KWs.

You may also want to check the actual SERP listings for the KWs you aren't ranking for to find out if Google is ranking similar content for those terms. For example, do a search for "button", and "buttons", and you will see very different results. Even though Google, in Adwords KW planner, considers them to be the same term, the SERPs say otherwise.

[vtmoz]

I am confused with the answers. Even though majority claims that different landing pages are not required, I can see clearly top landing pages in our niche are created for same purpose of targeting to rank for particular keywords and majority of them are  successful. I would like to know if there will be any penalty if we create related landing pages.