Where to put keywords for SEO

SEO

Aug 1

Written By Tiffani

You already know keywords matter.

But if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Okay… but where the heck do I actually put them?” welcome to the club.

This is your roadmap to keyword placement that makes Google happy and still sounds like you.

Where to put keywords for your website pages

Before we get tactical, make sure you’ve done your research.

Tools like Ubersuggest, Semrush, and Keysearch show you what your audience is actually searching for — and which terms are worth competing on.

(Affiliate links — I only recommend what I actually use.)

Once you’ve got your keywords, here’s exactly where to place them:

LEARN HOW TO WRITE SEO COPY

No matter which website you’re using, you ALWAYS put your keywords in the:

SEO Title (VIDEO): This is the main title people will see on Google. Make it worthy of a click.
Meta Description (VIDEO): This is the little description people see underneath the SEO title in Google searches.
URL (VIDEO): AKA the slug. This doesn’t always have to contain your keyword, though.
Heading 1 (H1): You only use an H1 heading once per page (at the very top of the page in the first section)
Heading 2 (H2): Make sure you’re not using these headings jsut to make certain parts of your copy look better. Use these strategically so your SEO can work.
Alt text (VIDEO): This is what screen readers read to describe the pictures on your website to the visually impaired. Add your keyword to at least 3 images, but make it sound NATURAL. Describe the image first, then try to add the keyword. If you can’t, don’t worry about it (or ask ChatGPT for help).
Sprinkled throughout your copy: You’ll have one target keyword, a couple of secondary keywords, and natural semantic keywords. I explain all of those here.

Where to Add Keywords	Why It Matters	Example
Page Title (H1)	Tells Google your main topic — this is your SEO headline	<h1>Where to Put Keywords for SEO</h1>
Meta Title	Appears in search results — boosts clicks	“Where to Put Keywords for SEO (2025 Guide for Creatives)”
Headings (H2 / H3)	Organizes your content; helps search engines understand structure	“Best Places to Add Keywords on Your Website”
Body Copy	Builds natural relevance; should feel seamless to read	Use within first 100 words + once or twice later
Alt Text	Improves accessibility + helps your images rank	“Example showing keyword placement in Squarespace”
URL	Signals relevance directly to Google’s crawlers	yourcreativecontent.com/blog/where-to-put-keywords-for-seo

HOW *OFTEN* DO I USE KEYWORDS, THOUGH?

Not sure how many keywords per page?

SIDE QUEST! How Many Keywords Should I Use for SEO?

How Google Reads Your Website Pages

Google reads website pages in order of importance:

H1: Your main topic (like your blog title or page headline)
H2s and H3s: Supporting points that organize your content
Body text: Explains or expands on those sections
Alt text and filenames: Describe visuals
Meta title and description: Summarize your page for search results

Think of it like an outline: H1 tells the story; everything else supports it.

SIDE QUEST! Squarespace SEO Setup

Keyword Placement by Platform

Different CMS platforms hide their SEO settings in different places.

Here’s the short version (with direct resources for each):

Showit

Add keywords in your Page Info (title + description).

Rename image files and write descriptive alt text.

Official resource: Showit SEO Optimization Guide

Squarespace

Edit titles + descriptions under Settings → SEO.

Double-check your page headings — Squarespace loves to auto-generate H1s.

Learn more: Squarespace SEO Basics

Shopify

Use your keyword in product titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text.

Keep URLs clean and short.

Reference: Shopify SEO Documentation

Wix

Add your keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and the SEO Wizard.

Write your own alt text for every image.

Help article: Wix SEO Learning Hub

SIDE QUEST! SEO Copywriting Services & Packages

Pro Tips for Natural Keyword Use

Write the draft first — then add keywords intentionally.
Use variations and synonyms (Google understands them).
Read out loud; if it sounds forced, it probably is.
Avoid dumping your keyword into every header.
Link strategically:

Learn more about SEO Copywriting Services & Packages.

Want bonus SEO power in your emails?

I use Flodesk (affiliate link) to write keyword-rich subject lines and track clicks that lead straight back to my site.

SIDE QUEST!

SEO Storytellers Membership

FAQ — Keyword Placement Questions

1. How many times should I use a keyword?

Two or three times per page is plenty — focus on where it counts (title, intro, one subheading).

2. Can I target multiple keywords on one page?

Yes, if they’re semantically related. I break that down in How to Find Keywords for SEO.

3. Where do I put keywords for best results?

In your page title, headings, URL, meta description, and first 100 words.

4. Should I put keywords in meta descriptions?

Absolutely — it helps users see your relevance and can boost CTR.

5. Do meta keywords still matter?

Nope. They’ve been deprecated for years. Focus on titles, headings, and body copy instead.

The Wrap-Up: Your Keywords Are the Clues, Not the Story

Think of your keywords like breadcrumbs, not the whole loaf.

Each one guides your reader (and Google) toward what you’re really about — your story, your expertise, and the solution you offer.

Once your placement game is solid, the next step is learning how to make your content rank and sell.

That’s exactly what we cover inside SEO Storytellers — the membership built for creative business owners who want long-term visibility without posting daily.

Or, if you’d rather I handle it for you:

👉 Explore SEO Copywriting Services & Packages

LEARN HOW TO PICK THE *RIGHT* KEYWORDS