Do SEO Keywords Need to Be Exact Matched? (2023)

Do SEO keywords need to be exact in this day and age? Not necessarily and I’ll tell you why.

Over time, Google and other search engines have become smarter, moving away from a heavy reliance on exact keyword-matching domains in their algorithms. In the past, such domains were highly valued, but their abuse by website owners seeking to manipulate search rankings resulted in spam-filled search engines.

To combat this issue, search engines shifted their focus toward providing users with high-quality, relevant content and improved user experiences. This evolution marked a transition from keyword-driven rankings to a user-centric approach, ultimately enhancing the reliability and trustworthiness of search results and the overall online experience.

Do SEO Keywords Need to Be Exact Matched?

No, SEO keywords do not need to be exactly matched.

In the world of search engines, Google, as well as others in its league, have been evolving and continuously improving, demonstrating a remarkable increase in their intelligence and capability. In the early days of the internet, the concept of exact keyword-matching domains held significant value in the world of search engine optimization. However, as time has progressed, this landscape has undergone notable transformations.

In the earlier stages of internet development, having a domain name that perfectly matched a highly sought-after keyword was akin to a golden ticket for website owners. This practice was based on the notion that search engines, including Google, heavily relied on exact keyword matching to determine the relevance of a website to a user’s query. As a result, many website owners and SEO practitioners capitalized on this by acquiring domain names that precisely matched their target keywords, believing that it would catapult them to the top of search engine rankings.

But what resulted from this trend was a problematic spiral. The pursuit of exact keyword-matching domains led to a flurry of website creations that often provided little to no real value to users. These websites were set up not with the intention of offering valuable content or solutions but with the sole objective of exploiting search engine algorithms. This phenomenon gave rise to what can only be described as “spam-filled” search engines, wherein users were inundated with low-quality, irrelevant, and often misleading search results.

As a consequence, search engines, especially Google, recognized the pressing need for change. In response, they began to refine their algorithms, placing more emphasis on quality, relevance, and user experience. These refinements included sophisticated mechanisms to identify and penalize websites engaged in spammy practices. This shift marked the transition from an era where exact keyword-matching domains held utmost importance to a new era where user-centric content and genuine value became the key to search engine success.

The evolution of search engines like Google reflects a broader trend in the digital landscape: the continual adaptation and improvement of technology to provide users with the most relevant and valuable results. This transformation has led to a more refined and trustworthy online experience, as it has minimized the impact of keyword stuffing and spam, making the internet a more reliable and informative space for users seeking answers and information.

Search Engines Are Smart Enough to Understand Relevant Keywords

The continual evolution of search engines represents a fascinating aspect of the digital landscape, as their intelligence keeps growing with each passing year. In today’s dynamic SEO environment, the choice between utilizing long-tail keywords or competitive keywords is of paramount importance, as it directly influences your ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). Search engines, like Google, have become adept at discerning not just the presence of keywords but also the quality of the content associated with them, which has revolutionized the field of search engine optimization (SEO).

For individuals venturing into the realm of SEO, a strategic approach often involves starting with long-tail keywords. These phrases are more specific and less competitive than their broader counterparts, making them an ideal entry point for newcomers. The advantage of this strategy lies in the fact that, while you may attract relatively modest traffic at the outset, you’re more likely to do so consistently and with less competition.

These “trickles” of traffic are not to be underestimated, as they serve a dual purpose. First, they introduce your website to the online world, creating an initial foundation of visibility. Second, and perhaps more importantly, these early visitors are valuable data points for search engines like Google. Their interactions with your content help search engines collect data, assess user behavior, and refine their understanding of your website’s relevance to specific keywords.

As this process unfolds, your website’s performance and user engagement are carefully observed, and it gradually accumulates a history that search engines use to make informed decisions about where to position your site in response to various search queries. Over time, this meticulous data collection allows your website to graduate from ranking for long-tail keywords to competing in the realm of more competitive and lucrative search terms.

The ongoing evolution of search engines underscores the critical role of content quality in SEO. Choosing to start with long-tail keywords is a strategic approach, enabling newcomers to gain a foothold in the competitive SEO landscape, albeit with relatively low initial traffic. The advantage of this approach is that it lays the foundation for data collection, enabling search engines to better understand and ultimately rank your website for more relevant and competitive keywords, marking a significant step in the journey to SEO success.

Understanding Relevant Keywords

Keyword relevance, or popularity, serves as a qualitative gauge to assess the significance of a keyword segmentation. Imagine you’re faced with a scenario where you’re dealing with a collection of 500 moderately related keywords, and your objective is to enhance your organization by crafting smaller, more tightly connected keyword clusters.

Let me provide you with a detailed illustration of the importance of a relevant keyword. Consider the scenario where you’re aiming to optimize your content for the keyword “start a blog,” and you hope to secure a favorable position in search engine rankings. This particular keyword is your starting point, but it’s not just a standalone term; it’s a gateway to a broader spectrum of related keywords. When your content aligns seamlessly with what users are seeking and adheres to Google’s quality guidelines, you’re setting the stage for gradual and sustainable progress in the world of SEO.

As you establish your content as a reliable resource for individuals interested in starting a blog, search engines take note of your site’s authority and relevance in this domain. While initially targeting the keyword “start a blog,” your comprehensive and user-centric content strategy begins to attract an audience. This audience engagement provides valuable data to search engines, signaling that your content is valuable and worth promoting in search results.

With time and consistent performance, your website will naturally evolve from targeting just one specific keyword to ranking for a multitude of closely related, and often more competitive, keywords. In this way, you’re not only optimizing for “start a blog” but expanding your reach to encompass keywords like “how to start a blog for free,” “how to start a blog and make money,” “should I start a blog,” and more. As Google and other search engines recognize your website’s prowess, they progressively elevate your rankings for these additional, relevant keywords, further solidifying your position as a trusted source in the blogging sphere.

This example underscores the interconnectedness of keywords and their potential for gradual expansion. By excelling in one specific keyword, you pave the way for ranking in a broader keyword ecosystem, offering you an opportunity to establish your website as a powerhouse in your niche. It all begins with a focus on a relevant keyword, but it extends into a comprehensive content strategy that enriches your digital presence and invites a diverse audience to engage with your content.

Additional Examples of Relevant Keywords