If you’ve spent more than five minutes reading SEO advice online, you’ve probably seen this gem: “Make sure your keyword appears in the first 100 words or Google won’t know what your page is about!”
If you’ve read any of the other SEO Myths Debunked posts, you already know I’m going to tell you it’s bollocks, right? Well meaning bollocks, but bollocks all the same.
Google isn’t sitting there with a ruler measuring the distance to your first keyword. It’s not counting words and giving you a failing grade if your keyword appears at word 101.
Why this myth needs to die
This outdated advice comes from the early days of search engines when algorithms were about as sophisticated as a brick. Back then, keyword placement mattered because search engines weren’t brilliant at understanding content.
Fast forward to 2025, and Google’s not only reading your content – it’s understanding it. Context, relevance, and user intent matter far more than mechanical keyword placement.
“Helpful content” isn’t just a soundbyte
Some pages rank brilliantly with their main keyword appearing naturally halfway through the content. Why? Because they’re comprehensive, helpful, and answer the user’s question effectively.
The obsession with shoving keywords into your introduction often leads to awkward, robotic writing that makes readers cringe. And guess what happens when readers cringe? They leave. And when they leave quickly, Google notices.
A better keyword approach
Instead of playing keyword gymnastics with your introduction, try something really simple- write an engaging opening that pulls readers in and makes them want to keep reading.
If your keyword fits naturally in the first 100 words, great. If not, who cares? Focus on:
- Grabbing attention with a compelling first paragraph
- Addressing the reader’s problem directly
- Setting up what they’ll learn from your content
- Writing in a natural, conversational tone
Remember, if you’ve used your keyword in your title tag and H1 heading (which you should), you’re already sending strong signals to Google about your page’s topic.
The real test
The true measure of effective content isn’t whether you’ve ticked arbitrary SEO boxes – it’s whether your content actually helps people.
When you’re obsessing over keyword placement instead of creating genuinely useful content, you’re already on the wrong track. Google’s getting better every day at recognising content that truly satisfies search intent, regardless of mechanical factors like keyword placement.
Stop overthinking it
Next time you’re writing content and find yourself anxiously counting words to your first keyword mention, stop. Take a deep breath. Then focus on writing something that’s actually worth reading.
Your introduction should pull readers in because it addresses their needs – not because you’ve awkwardly shoehorned in a keyword where it doesn’t belong.
Want more no-nonsense SEO advice that actually works in 2025? Grab my SEO Myths Debunked eBook and stop wasting time on outdated tactics that do nothing for your rankings.
