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Very Basic Keyword Question

by CatherineMay
4 replies
I am choosing keywords and have a question about hyphens and commas. This is probably a very elementary question, but here goes:

Using the Google Tool, I've chosen a phase that consists of two adjectives and a noun, (this is called a longtail keyword, right, lol?) with the two adjectives being in front of the noun. When I use this phrase in what I'm writing, I want to use proper written English, and have a comma between the two adjectives.

But does this comma change the way the search engines read the keyword phrase?

Also, I want to use the word "semi-precious," which requires a hyphen, but is not shown with a hyphen in the Google Tool.

Same question...will this hyphen affect the seach engines?


Catherine
#basic #keyword #question
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by CatherineMay View Post

    I am choosing keywords and have a question about hyphens and commas.
    Search engines ignore punctuation. (You can make them not ignore it, but your average searcher won't, so let's pretend you can't.)

    The word "semiprecious" does not require a hyphen. The phrase "semi-precious" is subtly different. In your domain name, it doesn't matter, because "semipreciouswhatever" will show up for either one. In your articles, it does, because "semi-precious" is treated as "semi precious" which does not match "semiprecious" in a search.

    EDIT: Missed this bit.

    Originally Posted by CatherineMay View Post

    this is called a longtail keyword, right
    Most people consider a keyword "long tail" when it has five or more words, but the term has no hard-and-fast definition. I've seen three and four word terms called "long tail," and I've seen people argue the point.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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    • Profile picture of the author CatherineMay
      Hmmm.....interesting. I thought I was doing good with three word phrases. But then I've not yet made any money; maybe that's why.

      Thanks for the input.


      Catherine
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    Long-tail actually refers not to the length of the phrase, but rather how far down the list it is in terms of number of searches. Think of looking at a rat from the side. His hind quarter is where all the frequently searched keywords are, but it's short in relation to how long his tail stretches out behind him. The lesser searched keywords are the long tail behind his butt. There are a lot more long-tail keywords, in other words. But the length of the actual phrases is not relevant.

    Having said that, I often refer to longer keywords as long-tail, even though a lot of 2-word phrases do belong in the long-tail category. It's one of those mistakes that so many have made, it's become the more useful definition to just think of longer phrases as long-tail, even if they're not.

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author CatherineMay
      So, Zeus, you would say that the important thing is to search for keywords - regardless of length - that have fewer, and therefore, more targeted, searches. I understand this concept, but where I'm getting tripped up is understanding at what point you decide that the searches, even though targeted, are just not enough?

      I guess you just have to juggle all the other factors, such as competing websites, commercial intent (which I've just learned about), etc.

      This is business of understanding keywords is definitely an art, not a science.


      Catherine
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