Posted on September 12, 2025 by Andrei Saioc
Reviewed by Andrei Saioc
The post was last updated on: September 12, 2025

Introduction

Every blogger and business owner wants their website to rank higher on search engines. The promise of more clicks, more visitors, and more conversions drives people to obsess over SEO. But when you dig deeper, one thing becomes obvious: keywords still matter. They are not magic, but they remain the bridge between what people search for and what your content delivers. If you don’t place them properly in your WordPress site, you might as well be whispering into the void.

Adding keywords in WordPress can feel confusing at first. Do you shove them everywhere? Do you sprinkle them like fairy dust? Or do you carefully craft each page so it speaks both to humans and Google’s bots? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Keywords need to be placed strategically, naturally, and with balance. This article will walk you through exactly how to do that in WordPress, step by step, without drowning you in jargon. And yes, I’ll even admit where I messed up in the past.

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Why Keywords Still Matter

Search engines evolve constantly. Algorithms change, AI grows smarter, and ranking factors expand. But despite all the complexity, keywords remain essential. When someone types a phrase into Google, that’s their intent. Keywords reveal what users want. If your content doesn’t reflect those words, your site will likely remain buried beneath your competitors.

I once thought keywords were outdated. A client asked me to optimize their site, and I foolishly said, “Google doesn’t care about keywords anymore.” Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Their traffic tanked because the content lacked clear signals. Once I restructured pages with target keywords, traffic returned like a thirsty camel finding water in the desert. Lesson learned.

Step One: Keyword Research

Before you can add keywords in WordPress, you need to know what those keywords actually are. Keyword research is the foundation. Without it, you’re just guessing. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush can help. Even free options like Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic reveal plenty of search insights.

When choosing keywords, balance volume with competition. High-volume terms often look tempting, but if you’re new, competing against giants is pointless. Instead, go after long-tail keywords. For example, “shoes” is too broad, but “comfortable running shoes for flat feet” is specific and more achievable. In SEO, relevance and intent matter more than raw numbers.

I like to jot down keyword ideas in a messy notebook. Half the time my notes look like a toddler scribbled them, but they still guide me. The important part is having a clear keyword map before touching WordPress.

Step Two: Install an SEO Plugin

WordPress doesn’t have built-in SEO keyword features. That’s why SEO plugins exist. Popular ones include Yoast SEO, Rank Math, and All in One SEO. These plugins let you set focus keywords, meta descriptions, and titles. They also give you instant feedback on how well you’ve used your target terms.

The beauty of these plugins is simplicity. You don’t have to edit raw code or hunt through endless menus. Instead, you get neat fields under your post editor where you can enter your focus keyword. The plugin then tells you things like: “Hey, you didn’t put the keyword in your first paragraph” or “Your meta description doesn’t include the focus keyword.” It’s like having a slightly nagging teacher sitting beside you. Annoying but useful.

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Step Three: Adding Keywords to Titles

Titles are the first thing both search engines and humans see. If your keyword isn’t there, you’re already at a disadvantage. When writing a WordPress post or page, always include your primary keyword in the title. Ideally, put it near the beginning.

For example, if your keyword is “WordPress SEO tips,” a strong title could be “WordPress SEO Tips That Actually Work in 2025.” Notice how natural that feels. Avoid stuffing the keyword multiple times, because that looks spammy. I’ve seen titles like “WordPress SEO Tips | SEO Tips for WordPress | WordPress SEO Tricks,” and trust me, nobody clicks those.

Your WordPress theme usually displays the post title as the H1 heading too. That’s another reason to optimize it. Don’t overthink this step—just be clear, relevant, and direct.

Step Four: Keywords in Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions don’t directly impact rankings, but they influence click-through rates. And higher clicks can improve your position indirectly. Use your keyword in the meta description, and write something that grabs attention. Most SEO plugins let you edit this easily.

Here’s an example: if your keyword is “how to add SEO keywords in WordPress,” a meta description could be: “Learn step by step how to add SEO keywords in WordPress to boost your rankings and attract more visitors.”

Think of meta descriptions as free advertising. You have 150–160 characters to convince someone to click. Use keywords naturally, but write for humans first.

Step Five: Using Keywords in Headings

Headings help organize content for readers and search engines. They also provide more opportunities to include your keywords. Add your main keyword in at least one H2 heading, and sprinkle variations in other subheadings.

For example, in this very article, you’ll notice headings like “Step Five: Using Keywords in Headings.” That structure tells both readers and Google what this section covers. Just don’t force it. If your heading feels unnatural with the keyword, rewrite it. No one likes robotic writing.

Sometimes I’ll write a draft without worrying about headings. Later, I go back and restructure with keywords in mind. That way I keep the flow natural while still optimizing.

Step Six: Keywords in Content

Here’s where people go overboard. Keyword stuffing ruins your content and can actually harm rankings. The trick is balance. Use your keyword in the introduction, at least once in the body, and once near the conclusion. After that, focus on natural language and variations.

Google is smart enough to recognize synonyms. If your keyword is “cheap flights to Rome,” you can also use “affordable Rome flights” or “low-cost tickets to Rome.” This creates variety without sounding repetitive.

I’ll admit, in my early days, I used to paste the same keyword twenty times in one post. It looked terrible. Readers hated it, and search engines weren’t impressed either. These days, I write for people first, then adjust keywords afterward.

Step Seven: Keywords in URLs

WordPress automatically generates URLs based on your post title. That’s convenient, but you should clean them up. A good URL is short, clear, and includes the main keyword.

For example, instead of “mysite.com/2025/09/12/how-to-add-seo-keywords-in-wordpress-step-by-step-guide,” shorten it to “mysite.com/seo-keywords-wordpress.”

You can edit the permalink directly in WordPress. Always remove stop words like “a,” “the,” or “in.” Keep it tidy, and make sure your keyword is present.

Step Eight: Keywords in Image Alt Text

Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt text. Adding keywords here improves accessibility and SEO. In WordPress, you can edit alt text when uploading or editing images.

For example, if you upload a screenshot of Rank Math, set the alt text as “adding SEO keywords with Rank Math in WordPress.” That way, search engines understand what the image represents. Just don’t abuse it. If your cat picture says “cheap WordPress SEO plugin keywords guide,” you’re doing it wrong.

Step Nine: Internal Linking with Keywords

Internal links help spread authority across your site. They also guide visitors to related content. When adding links, use anchor text that includes relevant keywords.

For example, if you’re writing about SEO plugins, you might link to another article titled “Top 5 Best SEO Plugins for WordPress.” Instead of saying “click here,” use anchor text like “SEO plugins for WordPress.”

A little caution: don’t over-optimize anchor text. Mix it up with natural phrases. Google prefers variety.

Step Ten: Keyword Density and Balance

There’s no perfect keyword density percentage. Anyone who tells you “exactly 2.5 percent” is probably lying. Instead, focus on readability. If your keyword appears naturally every few paragraphs, you’re fine.

One trick I use is reading my article out loud. If the keyword feels overused, it sounds awkward. If it flows, you’re good. Yes, you’ll look weird reading your blog posts aloud in a coffee shop, but at least you’ll catch mistakes.

Practical Checklist for Adding Keywords

Here’s a quick recap list to keep things practical:

  • Research your keywords before writing

  • Add the keyword to your post title

  • Optimize the meta description with your keyword

  • Use the keyword in at least one H2 heading

  • Place the keyword naturally in the introduction and conclusion

  • Shorten URLs and include the keyword

  • Add keywords to image alt text

  • Use keyword-rich internal links

  • Maintain balance and avoid stuffing

Stick to this checklist, and your WordPress content will be keyword-optimized without looking forced.

Conclusion

Adding SEO keywords in WordPress isn’t rocket science, but it does require strategy. From titles and headings to URLs and alt text, each element gives you an opportunity to guide search engines. The trick is to stay natural, prioritize readers, and use keywords as signals rather than blunt instruments.

I’ve seen people treat keywords like magic spells, expecting instant rankings. That’s not how it works. Keywords open the door, but quality content keeps visitors inside. Without value, you’re just another site screaming for attention.

So, take your time. Use tools, plugins, and checklists, but never forget the human element. Write content that solves problems, entertains, or educates. Let keywords be your compass, not your entire map. With consistent effort, your WordPress site can climb the rankings steadily.

And one last thought: if SEO was dating, keywords would be your pick-up lines—and trust me, bad ones get ignored fast.

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