Remember GeoCities? Dancing baby GIFs? That annoying dial-up internet sound? Well, meta keywords are just as relevant in 2025 as all of those – which is to say, not at all.
Yet somehow, I keep seeing website owners meticulously stuffing their meta keywords tag like they’re preparing a Christmas turkey. “But it helps Google understand what my page is about!” No, Kevin, it really doesn’t.
A Brief History Lesson (I’ll Make it Quick, Promise)
Back in the ancient times of the internet (we’re talking late 90s here), meta keywords were actually important. Search engines were about as sophisticated as a brick, and they needed these little hints to understand what pages were about. You could literally stuff your meta keywords with “free Nokia ringtones” and rank for it. Those were indeed the days.
But then search engines got smarter. Way smarter. Google looked at meta keywords and thought, “Hang on a minute, this is just an invitation for spam.” And just like that, meta keywords became obsolete.
Why You Need To Stop. Like, Right Now.
Here’s the thing – at best, meta keywords do absolutely nothing. They’re like that fancy gym membership you never use – taking up space but not doing you any good.
At worst? You’re literally handing your competitors a shopping list of terms you’re trying to rank for. It’s like giving your business plan to your competition and saying, “Here you go, this is exactly what I’m targeting, fill yer boots!”
What You Should Actually Be Doing Instead
Stop wasting time on meta keywords and focus on stuff that actually matters:
- Meta descriptions that don’t suck Write compelling meta descriptions that make people want to click. Think of them as your website’s elevator pitch.
- Title tags that work Create clear, descriptive title tags that tell both users and search engines what your page is actually about. No keyword stuffing required.
- Actually helpful content Wild concept, I know, but how about creating content that actually helps your visitors instead of trying to please search engines from 1998?
The Meta Keywords Bottom Line
If you’re still filling out meta keywords in 2025, you might as well be submitting your site to Yahoo Directory (if you don’t get that reference, congratulations – you’re young).
Want to know what really works in modern SEO? I’ve packed 30 years of myth-busting experience into one no-nonsense guide. No fluff, no outdated tactics, just pure, actionable advice that actually works in 2025.
Grab your copy of “SEO Myths Debunked” and stop wasting time on tactics that died before some of your employees were born.
Because seriously, it’s 2025. Let the meta keywords tag rest in peace alongside MySpace and Netscape Navigator. They’ve earned it.
