I thought META KEYWORDS tag was dead?

[CleverPhD]

The keyword meta tag is alive and well, they just call it the meta title nowadays

[vmialik]

one of the first things I look at to judge an SEO on is whether or not they have 50 keywords per page with meta tags.

--Yup that's one of the things I look at as well

[vmialik]

@Ron and others,

I am just looking for some evidence from those that use keywords to see if they help. Example maybe someone has found that some search new search engine, like duckduckgo, topsy, etc that uses meta keywords for example and they see keywords helping them get traffic from those places.  Otherwise why not is not a good enough reason for me, as its extra work to add keywords without benefit, plus it looks SEO 1.0 (think html tables, static pages) vs SEO 2.0 to me.

Thanks for adding bit of FUN to this thread BTW

[vmialik]

They don't call you clever for no reason

[SEOSHARK]

I have seen no drop in placement with my projects that have no kw tags on Google, Bing or yahoo.

[vmialik]

Thanks for your input Tom, that sounds right.  Now just curious, has anyone experienced a benefit?

[stevecounsell]

I read somewhere that BING use the keyword tag as a spamming signal. Anyone else see that?

EDIT: Read that here:

http://www.semrush.com/blog/tips/the-myths-behind-meta-keywords/

[KeriMorgret]

I'm working from home today and trying not to wake up my husband because I'm laughing so hard. Time to move downstairs before I read any more replies!

[Dr-Pete]

One warning - not to derail the discussion, which is amazing - I'm as sure as is reasonably possible that at least one major search engine used META keywords as a spam signal in the past, and I'd bet it's still corroborating evidence for Google. Probably goes without saying, but if you use it - use it well. Just because it's not a positive ranking factor doesn't mean it's not a negative ranking factor.

I agree that the competitor aspect never bothered me. Hopefully, you also use your keywords in your actual content. Otherwise, what's the point?

[RobertFisher]

Dr. Pete,

While I agree with what you have here, I am disappointed that you are unwilling to set up a single variable study of some type focusing on the aftereffects of putting the wrong keyword meta tags in to trap the lazy, unrepentant, claimers of SEOdom, etc.

I would love to see how many cosmetic surgery sites that do liposuction would end up ranked for Saw2 barbequed ribs! as a long tail keyword!!!

If anyone can do it, you can do it. We believe in you!

Best to you and the team!

[Dr-Pete]

That's the kind of study I don't do because I'm secretly afraid it might work and then I'd have to quit my job and just drink full-time.

[MiriamEllis]

Pete, you crack me up:)

[RobertFisher]

OK, now I am confused... Scientist vs sense of humor (and a good one at that). But, how can this be???? For he is the Kwisatz Haderach!!!

Good one Pete.

[KeriMorgret]

Oh meta keywords, curse you and your inevitable betrayal.

[vmialik]

Dr. Pete,

"at least one major search engine used META keywords as a spam signal in the past" - I heard that some where as well, that is partly why the question was asked

...Safe to assume some search engines still use it as a spam signal?

[ThompsonPaul]

"I'd have to quit my job and just drink full-time."

You say that like it's a bad thing?!

Paul

[mike-gart]

I read that Bing looks at the keyword tag to make sure there's nothing spammy going on. Ignore it and you'll avoid raising any red flags.

Mike