RankpediaA plain-English encyclopedia of search

Google Sites Keywords

Make Google understand what each page is about by placing search terms in a Google Site's content and settings to help it rank for relevant queries.

Many people rely on a hidden keyword meta tag, but Google ignores it and evaluates your visible content instead.

Key points

  • Place keywords in page titles, headings, body copy, URL slugs, and image alt text.
  • Use language that matches what users actually search for, not just brand terms.
  • Group keywords by topic and intent, then assign each to its own focused page.
  • Check keyword presence using browser find tools or site: queries; avoid manual counting.

A gardening site targets the wrong keyword

A Google Site about gardening used the meta tag 'gardening tips' but buried that phrase in body text. The page ranked poorly for 'composting vegetables'. After moving 'composting vegetables' into the title, H1, and first paragraph, the page climbed from page 5 to page 2 for that exact phrase within three weeks. The site owner had assumed the meta tag would do the work, but Google ignored it entirely. The meta tag was never the problem.

Three things keywords are not

  • Not a magic tag Google does not use a hidden keywords meta tag for ranking. It reads your visible content like titles, headings, and text.
  • Not a density game Repeating the same phrase over and over makes content unreadable. One natural mention in key places beats ten forced repetitions.
  • Not a substitute for intent A keyword that matches search intent is more valuable than one that just has high search volume. Always prioritise relevance.

Three ways it goes wrong

  • Stuffing every element Adding the same keyword to every heading, sentence, and image alt text harms readability and can trigger spam filters.
  • Ignoring visible places Relying on a nonexistent meta tag instead of optimising titles, headings, and body copy wastes the main ranking signals.
  • Using mismatched language Choosing internal brand terms instead of the words users actually type means you optimise for the wrong queries.

Three checks before you publish

  • Intent match Does the keyword reflect what a searcher wants to do? Informational, navigational, or transactional – match the page to the intent.
  • Readability test Read the page aloud. If the keyword sounds forced, rewrite it. Natural language wins every time.
  • Keyword uniqueness Ensure each page targets a unique primary keyword. Avoid cannibalising your own pages by covering the same query across multiple URLs.

Common questions

How to use Google Keyword Planner for a Google Site?

Use Google Ads Keyword Planner to find search volumes; then place chosen keywords naturally into your page titles, headings, and body copy.

How to search keywords in Google Keyword Planner?

Enter a seed term into the tool to get related keyword ideas; filter by location and language to match your audience.

Does Google Sites have a keyword meta tag?

No, Google Sites does not provide a functional keywords meta tag. Optimise the visible page elements instead.

Sources

  1. Google Search Central General guidance on keywords and ranking signals.
  2. Google Search Central: SEO Starter Guide Best practices for on-page optimisation.
  3. Google Sites Help Official documentation for Google Sites features.
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