9 Best Places to Put Keywords on Your Site (Without Overdoing It)

If you don’t know the right places to put keywords on your site, your pages won’t rank.

I’ve made that mistake in the past too. Just stuffing keywords into content, thinking more is better. But that doesn’t help. It hurts. Google looks at where you use keywords, not just how many times you use them.

Keyword placement tells search engines what your page is really about. It also helps your readers stay focused. When you put the right words in the right spots, both Google and users know they’re in the right place.

But when keywords show up in the wrong places, your content feels forced. It looks spammy. Rankings drop, and people bounce.

That’s why I wrote this post. To show you exactly where to put keywords so you get better SEO without stuffing your content.

Here are 9 proven spots where keywords actually matter. Use them right, and your rankings will improve.

9 Best Place To Place Your Keywords

1. Title Tag

Your title tag is the first thing Google looks at. It’s also what people see in search results.

That’s why I always use my main keyword in it. Not a variation. Not a related term. The exact keyword I want to rank for.

I keep it short. Under 60 characters. That way, it won’t get cut off in search results.

I also try to place the keyword near the beginning. It helps both Google and users see the topic right away.

Here’s a clean example in HTML:

<title>Politics Guest Posting Sites List | Political Blogs</title>

This simple tag tells search engines and readers what the page is about. Miss this spot, and you’re already making it harder to rank.

2. Meta Description

Your meta description doesn’t boost rankings directly, but it still matters.

Why? Because it’s what shows up under your title in search results. And that short blurb is what makes people click.

I always include one keyword in the meta description. Just one. It should sound natural, like it belongs in the sentence.

The goal isn’t to trick Google. The goal is to help the reader know what the page is about.

Here’s an example:

<meta name="Our team has years of experience delivering high-quality link building services for brands, SEO agencies, magazines, and marketers.">

Keep it under 160 characters. Write it like you’re talking to someone. Make it clear, not clever.

If you skip the meta description, Google might pull random text from your page. That’s risky. You lose control over how your content appears in search.

3. URL

Your page URL tells Google what your content is about. It also shows up in search results. So I keep it short, clean, and focused.

I always include my main keyword in the URL. No need for full sentences or extra words. Just the key terms that matter.

Here’s a good example:

yourdomain.com/best-places-to-put-keywords

This URL is clear. It matches the topic. It tells Google exactly what the page covers.

What I avoid: stop words like “and,” “to,” “the,” or “of.”

Also, I never add dates, numbers, or random characters.

Messy URL example:

yourdomain.com/9-places-you-should-put-keywords-on-your-site-for-better-seo-2023

That’s just too long. And it’s full of fluff that doesn’t help rankings.

So, I stick with short URLs that include the keyword and nothing more.

4. H1 Tag (Page Title)

Your H1 tag is the main headline on the page. It’s the first thing people see when they land on your site.

Google also looks at it to understand your content. So I always make sure it includes my main keyword.

But here’s the key: it has to sound natural. No keyword stuffing. Just write it like a normal sentence that still hits the keyword.

For example, if my keyword is “places to put keywords on your site”, my H1 might look like this:

<h1>9 Best Places to Put Keywords on Your Site</h1>

It’s clear. It matches what the user searched for. And it makes sense to real people.

Also, I only use one H1 tag per page. That way, Google knows this is the main topic.

Everything else H2s, H3s, etc. comes after.

5. Subheadings (H2, H3)

Subheadings break your content into easy-to-read chunks. They help readers skim. They also help Google understand your content structure.

I use H2 and H3 tags to organize my points. But I don’t just use them for formatting. I use them to include related or secondary keywords.

Let’s say my main keyword is “keyword placement”. I might use subheadings like:

<h2>Why Keyword Placement Matters</h2>
<h3>Common Mistakes in Keyword Placement</h3>

These don’t feel forced. They fit naturally. And they give search engines more context.

I don’t cram in keywords. I just choose subheadings that make sense and support the topic.

Also, I keep them short. Long subheadings look messy and hurt readability.

Simple rule I follow: every subheading should either help the reader or support SEO. Ideally, both.

6. First 100 Words

The first 100 words of your content are critical. Google scans this section to figure out what your page is about.

That’s why I always use my main keyword early on ideally within the first sentence or two.

But I don’t force it. I make sure it sounds like something I’d actually say to a reader.

Here’s a quick example using the keyword “keyword placement”:

If your keyword placement is off, your SEO is going to suffer. It’s not just what you say, but where you say it.

It’s natural. It flows. And it tells Google, right from the start, what the page is focused on.

If you wait too long to use your keyword, search engines might miss the point. So don’t hold it back.

Lead with it, use it once, and then keep writing for humans.

7. Image Alt Text

Alt text tells search engines what your images are about. It also helps users who rely on screen readers.

So I always write short, clear alt text that describes the image. And if it makes sense, I include a keyword.

The key is to describe the image honestly. Don’t just stuff in keywords for the sake of SEO.

Let’s say I’m using an image of a webpage showing keyword placement. My alt text might be:

<img src="keyword-placement.png" alt="Example of keyword placement in a blog post">

That’s helpful. It tells Google and users what they’re looking at. What I avoid: keyword stuffing like this—

<img src="image1.png" alt="keyword placement SEO keyword SEO tips keyword SEO content">

That doesn’t help. It hurts.

So I use keywords only when they match the image. Keep it useful, not forced.

8. Anchor Text (Internal Links)

Anchor text is the clickable part of a link. It tells Google what the linked page is about.

So when I link to other pages on my site, I use keywords as anchor text. Not every time. But when it fits, I go for it.

Let’s say I have a page on keyword research. I’d link to it like this:

“Make sure you start with solid keyword research before planning your content.”

That’s way better than writing:

“Click here to learn more.”

Using keyword-rich anchor text helps with SEO. It also guides users to related pages they care about.

Internal linking does two things:

1. It boosts the SEO of the page you’re linking to.
2. It helps Google crawl your site better.

So I always look for chances to link naturally. No keyword stuffing. Just smart, useful links.

9. Last Paragraph

The last paragraph is your final shot to show Google what the page is about.

I always use my main keyword once here. Just one clean mention. No stuffing.

I write it like I’m wrapping up a conversation. Something like:

“Good keyword placement helps your content rank better. Use these tips and keep it simple.”

That one line does the job. It hits the keyword, stays on topic, and keeps things natural.

I don’t force it. I just remind Google and the reader what the page was about.

Final Thoughts

If your content isn’t ranking, the problem might not be your keywords it could be where you’re putting them.

Now you know the 9 best places to use keywords on your site. From the title tag to the last paragraph, every spot plays a role.

When you place keywords in the right places, your content makes more sense to Google. It also feels better to your readers.

So don’t just stuff keywords anywhere. Use them with purpose.

Apply these tips across your site. Update old pages. Fix weak spots. Add keywords where they matter most.

You’ll start to notice the difference. More clicks. More traffic. Better rankings.

Try it and see for yourself.