How do search engines treat keywords with "and"?
-
For example, I would like to optimize a title tag with two keyword phrases: industrial supply and electrical supply. Instead of creating the title tag Industrial Supply and Electrical Supply, which sounds unnatural, would I get the same SEO benefit using Industrial and Electrical Supply?
-
Hello Evan,
Ray has covered this pretty well - I would also point out that given the differences in search possibilities people can use, and the fact that you don't need exact-match keywords to gain rankings, it is a good idea to have both industrial supply and **electrical supply **in your title tag. This way, you stand a chance of being located by customers or clients looking for either of these terms, and they are equally weighted for relevance.
-
Well, that puts you into a tricky situation. Google's goal is to best understand the natural language and semantics behind the user's search query. However, it is a very difficult task since natural language is widely different among humans and locations and intent is whole other issue that Google is trying to solve.
So, yes, Google does understand words like 'and' and how they impact a query/content. Those words are commonly called 'stop words.' Google understands the relationship of stop-words and keyword terms. However, it is an ongoing improvement process.
In your situation, I still think Google has a hard time equally weighing the titles you've exampled. While **Industrial and Electrical Supply **is more natural and fluid, Industrial Supply and Electrical Supply will probably help the overall rankings for both terms. However, it may be best to include the natural language in the title and add headings/content targeting both specific terms. It's something you should consider for your readers and continue to experiment with, tbh.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Country Wise Keyword difficulty
I want to know that how it is possible that global and country-wise keyword difficulty should be the same. Please help me out understand this confusion.
Keyword Research | | Daie80 -
Google Planner monthly keyword search vol. vs SEMRush
Hi, This is an example but if I enter 'architect This is an example but the same thing happens with most keywords - if I enter 'architect cornwall' into Google Planner it tells me there's 90 searches per month. If I enter this into SEMRUSH it tells me there's 320 searches per month. Can anyone explain the difference here - and is one more accurate than the other? Better still is there tool that's more accurate than either of these? I'm completely new to this by the way and the answer is probably obvious. Thanks!
Keyword Research | | CamperConnect140 -
National keyword results v local keyword results
If the keyword contains the location term like "SEO company London" is it better to use the wider results over local? Additionally, some best practice examples of national v local result tracking would be great 🙂 Darren
Keyword Research | | SEODarren0 -
Sudden keyword rankings drop
Hi, My latest MOZ report has indicated there has been a significant drop in ranking for 65 keywords, some by as much as 30 places. This is not something I have experienced before and seems very drastic. Is there a reasonable explanation or fix for this? Thanks for any advice!
Keyword Research | | cudge0 -
What tools do you use to find phrase keyword search volume?
I used to use Google Adwords to find broad, phrase and exact search volumes, but now Google only provides exact. Does anyone have any tools or other ways to find phrase search volume?
Keyword Research | | Scratch_MM0 -
Global Search Count
If I ranked top on google for a keyword for Exact Local Search Count say 2000.How much of the Exact Global Search Count of 4000 contribute to Exact Local Search Count
Keyword Research | | Frost0 -
Is using "-" in the title of a page to seperate targeted keywords bad for seo purposes?
For example "Dog-Leashes" Is that bad if I'm targeting dog leashes as my keywords.
Keyword Research | | ibex0 -
How do you order similar keywords when writing content?
Let's say I sell widgets: plastic widgets, paper widgets, brass widgets and steel widgets. These are in order by how popular they are but none is so popular to really stand on it's own. When writing general content about widgets, lets say for the main Widgets page, would you write: 1. "We sell plastic, paper, brass and steel widgets." -or- 2. "We sell plastic widgets, paper widgets, brass widgets and steel widgets." I understand I can have specific pages for Plastic Widgets, Paper Widgets, etc., but like I said this would be for a main category page, maybe even for a quick "this is what we do" opening paragraph on the homepage. Is it better to be concise like in example 1? Or to individually call out each type like in example 2? I'm looking for SEO insight and the customer experience viewpoint as well.
Keyword Research | | rball10