Meta Keywords Tag

The meta keywords tag is an HTML tag that lets a page list keywords describing its content, hidden from visitors in the page code. Google confirmed in 2009 that it does not use the tag in web search ranking, so adding or updating it brings no SEO benefit today.

Written by Paul Hoda, SEO consultant since 2005. Last updated 8 November 2026.

What the meta keywords tag looks like

The tag sits in the head section of a page’s HTML:

<meta name="keywords" content="running shoes, trainers, marathon shoes">

It belongs to the same family of tags as the meta description, which can still appear as the snippet text under your result.

Another relative, the meta robots tag, still controls indexing and how a page appears in results. Unlike those, the keywords tag has no visible or functional effect in Google Search at all.

Why search engines stopped using it

In the early days of search, some engines used the tag to understand what pages were about. Because visitors could not see it, site owners filled it with long lists of terms, including popular searches unrelated to the page. This early form of keyword stuffing made the tag unreliable.

Google published a statement in September 2009 confirming that it does not use the meta keywords tag in its web search ranking. Bing has also said it does not use the tag as a ranking signal. Modern search engines work out a page’s topic from its visible content, headings, links and many other signals.

Should you remove it?

There is no need to rush. Leaving the tag in place does not usually harm rankings with Google. But there are reasons to remove it or leave it empty:

  • It can reveal your keyword targeting to competitors who view your page source, which can feed their competitor analysis.
  • It adds clutter to templates and takes time to maintain.
  • A stuffed tag may look spammy to some smaller search engines or tools.

Some internal site search systems or CMS features still read the tag. Check before removing it from a site that relies on one of these.

What to focus on instead

  1. Write a clear, descriptive title tag for every page.
  2. Use the main keyword naturally in the H1, opening lines and subheadings.
  3. Write a meta description that encourages clicks from the results page.
  4. Cover the topic in depth so search engines understand related queries.
  5. Use structured data, where relevant, to describe products, articles and organisations.

Common myths

  • “Google still reads meta keywords a little.” Google has said it does not use the tag for web ranking.
  • “Each page needs a keywords tag for SEO plugins.” Most modern SEO plugins have dropped the field or turned it off by default.
  • “Meta keywords and news keywords are the same.” Google News once supported a separate news_keywords tag, but it is also no longer used.

Key Takeaways

  • The meta keywords tag lists keywords in a page’s hidden code.
  • Google confirmed in 2009 that it does not use it for ranking.
  • Keeping it does no harm with Google but adds no value.
  • Removing it hides your keyword targeting from competitors.
  • Focus on title tags, headings and helpful content instead.

Related Terms

Browse more terms in the SEO Encyclopedia.