Keyword Stuffing

Keyword stuffing is the overuse of target terms in page copy, headings, or metadata in an attempt to manipulate rankings. This tactic reduces readability, weakens trust, and can trigger quality issues because content appears written for algorithms instead of users. Modern search systems evaluate context and helpfulness, so repetitive phrasing usually harms performance rather than improving it. Stuffing can be obvious, like unnatural repetition, or subtle, such as forcing near-identical variants into every section. Strong optimization focuses on intent coverage, semantic relevance, and clear information architecture instead of term density. The safest approach is to use keywords naturally where they clarify meaning, then prioritize depth, structure, and user value as the primary ranking strategy.