2.3 Body content, quality & non-commodity ✦HighVerified
Keyword stuffing / over-optimisation
Cramming the target keyword into every sentence reads as spam and can trigger over-optimisation signals. Natural, varied language covers the topic better.
What it is
Unnatural keyword repetition.
Why it matters
Spam-policy violation; harms readability and trust.
How to fix it
Write naturally for people.
How to find it on your site
- Read the page for unnaturally repeated keywords.
- Check whether keyword density feels forced.
- Rewrite to read naturally, using synonyms and related terms.
- Cover the topic comprehensively rather than repeating one phrase.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
Over-optimisation can suppress rather than help a page. Natural topical coverage is what modern ranking rewards.
Impact
Medium. Direct.
Evidence
Keyword stuffing violates spam policies. Google Search Central, Spam policies for Google web search