Is the meta keywords tag still used?

In one line

No. Google has not used the meta keywords tag for ranking in well over a decade. Filling it in does nothing for Google and can even hand competitors your keyword list.

The truth

The meta keywords tag was abused so heavily that Google stopped using it as a signal long ago. It has no ranking value on Google today. The meta description (which affects click-through) and title tag (which does rank) are the meta tags that still matter.

What to do

Skip the meta keywords tag. Spend the effort on a strong title tag, a compelling meta description, clear headings, and answer-first content. Those are the elements that actually move rankings and clicks.

Frequently asked

Should I fill in meta keywords?

No, Google ignores it. It's wasted effort and exposes your keyword targets to competitors who view your source.

Which meta tags still matter?

The title tag (a ranking factor) and meta description (affects click-through). Focus there.

Put this into practice

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