Which keyword to use (plural / singular)
-
Hi guys. So I'm racking my brain with a question whether I should use plural or singular keyword as a focus keyphrase of my page. The page that I'm optimizing is basically a review page of different websites offering proofreading services.
Considering the fact that this is a review and I mention a lot of websites on my page, I decided to rank for a plural keyword that ends with "services". However, this keyword is very unpopular (ahrefs doesn't show any volume for it), while singular "service" has about 100 searches per month.
As far as I understand, Google sees both keywords as synonyms, because search results for both keywords are almost identical. Should I change my keyphrase to singular "service" (even though the page mentions a lot of services), or stick with "services" instead?
Do I have a chance of ranking for "service" if I stick with "services" in this case?
Thank you.
-
If the website is fairly old you could also use Google Webmaster Tools: https://search.google.com/ to do this type of research. Go to Performance > click +New tab and enter the page URL. You should check if ppl are searching for singular or plural more.
Now the importance of this is based on user intend, you should ask your self the following question: "Do you provide a LIST /MULTIPLE or things / services or one single service?"
Google may show your page higher in rankings if you use plural and you provide multiple services as it's more relevant. Once you start ranking for plural and users interaction is good (ppl stay on your site, they click action button etc) you will also rank for the singular.
Depending on what you provide you should write the title according to this principle: If you only offer one single thing write singular, otherwise always use plural.
Check out the competitors, check out their title, do they use singular / plural or both? How long is their title, how often they use singular how often they the plural in title.
Another trick: Let's say most searches go for "best service" as singular but you notice a lot of queries with "top","list" or other combinations. As a test you may want to use both plural ans singular in a single title combining this with other relevant searched keywords. For example I would use: Selling Best Services - Top Service List for the situation above and see what happens in a few weeks.
-
Over the past few years, I've tended to use & write for both. There is no hard & fast rule other than writing for the user - intent & context.
-
Hi ghgj2222j,
Please, don't only focus on keywords for its search volume... Focus on WHAT USERS ARE SEARCHING. Usually the most searched is also how users are searching for your product/service.
There is no simple answer for your issue. I'd use logic and common sense there, do you know how users search for your service? In Google Search Console, can you relate impressions with that search volume?
On a side note, placing a keyword in the title and meta description won't send your page to the top, its just another signal for users.
I'd strongly recommend you to take a deep read to these resources:
The Beginner's Guide to SEO: Search Engine Optimization - Moz, specifically the forth chapter: On-Page optimization
And Google has their own guide: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide - Google Search Console HelpHope it helps.
Best luck.
Gaston -
Can I use proper keyword in the meta title or just my word like that Cargo in Dubai its proper keyword its volume 2400/mo? Can I use this keyword in different sequence like that Cargo from Dubai to Iraq? but its complete sentence has 0 volume. please give the answer if possible.
and also check my website URL and Meta Title. Our services from Dubai to Iraq, Dubai to Suadi Arab, Dubai to Turkey, and more than 200 Destination.
I use in URL address just shipping to Iraq, Shipping to Suadi Arab, but most competitors website used "cargo from Dubai to Iraq" but its volume not "0" so What I need for that,
https://www.bbccargo.ae/services/air-cargo/
https://www.bbccargo.ae/destination/shipping-to-iraq/
https://www.bbccargo.ae/destination/shipping-to-kuwait/
please check my URL and give the best Solution for that..
-
Thank you so very much, Gaston! You helped me a lot!
-
Hi Aslan,
The answer here should be to target the phrase that best matches the user intent.
If Google considers you as a good answer for "services" will also be a good answer for "service". Probably won't rank on the same position, yet will be on the same page.
As English is not my mother tongue, I'll try to help you with how I'd solve it.First of all, please don't rely on private metrics and private tools that try to simulate what's seen on google. They do their best but **never will reflect **how Google ranks a page nor how many impressions it might have.
This is the way I'd try to solve this issue:
- As you already have some research, I'd go with that: "... services", the plural one.
- After some time, you'll see in GSC on which phrases your page is ranking.
- There you can check whether the plural or singular version has more search volume
- Update your content with some extra information and, if needed, change the main phrase. Google will reward you
- Go back to 2.
Hope it helps,
Best luck.
Gaston
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
-
Moz keyword rank checker
The Moz Keyword Ranker does not seem to work - it keeps buffering when I add a keyword, Anyone see the same thing?
Keyword Research | | SmartSimple0 -
How is it possible to rank first for a keyword, when the keyword isn't written on the page?
I noticed that one of our competitors is ranking in first position for a keyword but when looking on the page grader. The exact keyword is not used on the page at all (or in title, URL etc.). How is this possible, when other sites have content with those exact words?
Keyword Research | | Jesssherl3 -
New Keyword Planning Tool
In the past we have used google analytics keyword tool to evaluate a keyword for our campaign. Recently though with the changes to the keyword tool becoming the keyword planning tool we've seen an extreme fluctuation in the metrics provided for avg monthly searches. Specifically the keyword "best fries" used to be reported at 33100 avg global monthly searches, now with the new tool its at less than 200 overall for the month. Additional information has the google trends for the keyword to only be increasing and is roughly near peak search interest. So I guess to simplify the question, should I trust this metric? Is there an alternative source I can use for keyword research? Why would a drop like this happen? Why isn't the google trends data similar to that of the keyword data? Surely 100 representing peak interest doesn't translate to 200 searches a month.
Keyword Research | | JamesBSEO0 -
Keyword stuffing
Just wondered whether you think the footer text here on tis page constitues 'keyword stuffing'. I think it does but wondering why they haven't been penalised for it. http://www . lippyliciouscakes . co.uk/ Thoughts? Many thanks.
Keyword Research | | littlesthobo1 -
Keyword: singular vs plural
Hi, I've been putting some efforts to rank well for "San Antonio Wedding Photographer". I am ranked ok for that but not so on "San Antonio Wedding Photographers". My website is http://www.soobumimphotography.com/ So now, I am trying to rank for "San Antonio Wedding Photographers" instead since Google auto fills wedding "photographers" in search term. Question - Should I change my site title and some post / page title etc? What's the best way to do this? Thank you Soobum
Keyword Research | | BistosAmerica0 -
How to find easy keywords to rank for?
We've got fantastic results from a keyword here. After we signed up for SeoMoz, we found that, for luck, this was a very easy keyword (1%) to rank for. How can I find more easy keywords?
Keyword Research | | BrunoReis0 -
On-page Keyword Optimization
So I have created a page for the term "denver buick" but the next largest search term is for "buick denver." Should I create another page focusing on this keyword, or optimize one page for both? It's hard to come up with unique content since they are the basically the same term. But most importantly, if I make this new page, how do I incorporate it into the site architecture? Thanks!
Keyword Research | | kylesuss0 -
Is there a better keyword tool than google's adwords keyword tool?
I have heard a lot of people say not to trust the results of google adword's keyword tool. Is there a better tool out there that i am not aware of that can judge local monthly and global monthly search volume?
Keyword Research | | adriandg1