Google doesn't use the meta keywords tag for SEO. It has no effect on how Google indexes or ranks a page, so filling it out won't improve your position in search results.
That doesn't mean keywords or every other meta tag are useless. It means your time is better spent on the parts of your page that help visitors and search engines understand it. Let's start with what Google says.
Does Google Use the Meta Keywords Tag?
No. Google's documentation on supported meta tags states that the meta keywords tag has no effect on indexing or ranking in Google Search.
This isn't a new change. In a 2009 post about the keywords meta tag, Google explained that it didn't use the tag for web search rankings.
That post also mentioned the Google Search Appliance, a separate enterprise product that could match meta tags. Its capabilities shouldn't be confused with Google's public web search. For website owners focused on Google Search, the practical answer is straightforward: the keywords meta tag isn't an SEO priority.
What Is a Meta Keywords Tag?
The meta keywords tag is a piece of HTML stored in the head of a web page. It contains a list of words or phrases intended to describe the page's topic. Visitors typically won't see it in the page content.
What the tag looks like
A page about gardening might contain a tag like this:
<meta name="keywords" content="vegetable gardening, garden tips, planting seeds">
The words inside the content attribute are the meta keywords. Adding more phrases to that list won't help the page rank on Google. Repeating them won't help either.
Where to find it
To see whether a page has the tag, open the page in your browser and view its source. Search the source for name="keywords". If you find a match, the words next to it are the keywords stored in the tag.
Some website tools also offer a field for meta keywords. A separate focus keyword field in an SEO plugin is different: it may be used to assess your page content rather than create a keywords meta tag. Neither field guarantees a ranking.
Should You Remove Existing Meta Keywords?
You can remove the tag if you don't need it for another purpose, but there's no Google ranking boost for deleting it. Leaving an old tag in place also won't improve your rankings.
First, consider how it was added. It may come from a page setting, a plugin, or a site template. Removing it in the right place can prevent it from being added again when you publish another page.
Some websites or other applications may use metadata for their own purposes. If another part of your site relies on the tag, keep that use in mind before removing it. Google's policy applies to Google Search, so it shouldn't be treated as a rule for every system.
For a large website, we wouldn't make deleting these tags the first item on an SEO to-do list. Clear titles, useful content, and indexing issues deserve attention first.
Which Page Elements Matter Instead?
The keywords tag is only one type of metadata. Other elements help describe a page, influence its appearance in search results, or give search engines instructions.
Title tags and page headings
A title tag identifies a page in its HTML and can be used for the title link in Google Search. Write a clear, distinct title that matches the page's subject. For example, a page about starting a vegetable garden should say so rather than use a vague title like "Home."
Your H1 and other headings appear on the page itself. They organize information for readers and give search engines context about each section. Use your main topic naturally when it fits, without forcing the same phrase into every heading.
Our SEO title tag guide covers how to write titles that make sense to searchers.
Meta descriptions and indexing instructions
A meta description summarizes a page and may appear beneath its title in search results. It doesn't directly improve Google rankings, but a useful description can help someone decide whether to click. Google may choose different page text for the snippet.
Write a description that matches what the page offers, rather than a list of keywords. Our guide to effective meta descriptions explains how to make that short summary more useful.
A robots meta tag has a different job. For example, a noindex instruction can tell Google not to include a page in its search results. That's a good reason to distinguish the keywords tag from metadata that affects indexing.
How Should You Use Keywords for SEO?
Keywords still matter because they help you understand what people are looking for. The goal is to use that information to build a page that answers their question or meets their need.
Start with the searcher's intent. Someone searching for "how to plant tomatoes" likely wants instructions, while someone searching for "tomato plants for sale" is looking for products. Those searches call for different pages.
Then use the topic naturally in the title, relevant headings, and page content. Add details that help the reader complete the task, and link to related pages where they offer a useful next step. Our on-page SEO guide covers how these elements work together.
Finally, use Google Search Console to review the queries that bring impressions and clicks to your pages. If a page isn't appearing, the URL Inspection tool can help you investigate its indexing status. A change in clicks alone doesn't prove which edit caused it.
Focus on the Work That Helps Your Page
Google doesn't use the meta keywords tag, so you can take it off your list of Google SEO priorities. Removing it is optional, and filling it with more phrases won't improve your ranking.
Instead, give each page a clear purpose, a useful title, and content that answers the visitor's question. That's a more effective place to put your SEO effort.
