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Free Keyword Density Calculator

Analyze keyword frequency in your content with our free text analysis tool. Get instant analysis of 1-word, 2-word, and 3-word phrases to optimize your content strategy and improve readability.

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Keyword density feature in Gorby text analyzer

Advanced Keyword Analysis in Gorby

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What is Keyword Density?

Definition

Keyword density is a text analysis metric that measures how frequently a specific keyword or phrase appears in your content relative to the total number of words. It's expressed as a percentage and helps content creators understand the distribution and frequency of important terms in their writing.

For example, if your target keyword appears 5 times in a 500-word article, your keyword density would be 1% (5 ÷ 500 × 100 = 1%).

Why Analyze Keyword Density

  • • Understand the focus and themes of your content
  • • Ensure balanced use of important terms
  • • Improve content relevance and clarity
  • • Identify overused or underused concepts
  • • Optimize for search engines when needed

Modern Content Approach

  • • Focus on natural, contextual keyword usage
  • • Prioritize reader experience and clarity
  • • Use varied vocabulary and synonyms
  • • Consider the purpose and audience of your content

Historical Context

In the early days of web content analysis, keyword density was heavily weighted by search engines. Content creators would stuff keywords to achieve high rankings, leading to poor reading experiences. Today's content analysis focuses more on quality, readability, and natural language rather than just keyword frequency.

Types of Keyword Analysis

Single Words (1-grams)

Individual words that appear most frequently in your content. These help identify the main topics and themes of your text.

Two-Word Phrases (2-grams)

Consecutive word pairs that often represent more specific concepts or long-tail keyword opportunities.

Three-Word Phrases (3-grams)

Three-word combinations that typically represent very specific topics or branded terms, useful for long-tail SEO strategies.

How Keyword Density is Calculated

The Basic Formula

Keyword Density = (Keyword Count ÷ Total Words) × 100

Result expressed as a percentage

This simple formula gives you the percentage of times a specific keyword or phrase appears relative to your total word count. The result helps you understand how prominent a particular term is in your content.

Step-by-Step Example

Sample Text (75 words):

"Content marketing is a strategic approach to delivering consistent, valuable content that attracts and retains a clearly defined audience. It includes formats like blog posts, videos, newsletters, and social media updates. When aligned with audience needs, content marketing builds trust, boosts brand visibility, and encourages long-term engagement. Instead of pushing products directly, it offers helpful information that supports the buyer journey. Great content doesn’t just inform, it connects, making your brand more relatable and memorable."

4
Times "content" appears
75
Total words
5.26%
Keyword density

Calculation: (4 ÷ 75) × 100 = 5.26%

Types of Keyword Analysis

1

Single Words

Analyzes individual words to identify the most frequently used terms.

Example:

"content" → 4 times

"marketing" → 2 times

2

Two-Word Phrases

Examines consecutive word pairs for more specific concepts.

Example:

"content marketing" → 2 times

"marketing is" → 1 time

3

Three-Word Phrases

Identifies longer phrases and more specific terminology.

Example:

"content marketing is" → 1 time

"a strategic approach" → 1 time

Important Considerations

Case Sensitivity

Most tools treat "Content" and "content" as the same word

Word Variations

Different forms like "market," "marketing," "markets" are counted separately

Stop Words

Common words like "the," "and," "is" may be excluded in advanced analysis

Best Practices & Ideal Percentages

Recommended Keyword Density Ranges

Primary Keywords

1-3%

Your main focus keywords should appear naturally throughout the content without overwhelming the reader.

Secondary Keywords

0.5-1%

Supporting keywords and related terms should have lower density to maintain content balance.

Note: These are general guidelines. The ideal density depends on content length, topic complexity, and natural language flow.

Guidelines by Content Type

Blog Posts & Articles

  • Primary keyword: 1-2% density
  • Length: 800-2000+ words allow natural integration
  • Focus: Reader value over keyword targeting
  • Variations: Use synonyms and related terms

Landing Pages

  • Primary keyword: 2-3% density
  • Length: 300-800 words, more focused
  • Focus: Clear messaging and conversion
  • Placement: Strategic use in headlines and CTAs

Product Descriptions

  • Primary keyword: 1-2% density
  • Length: 150-500 words, concise
  • Focus: Features, benefits, and specifications
  • Keywords: Product names and category terms

Technical Documentation

  • Primary keyword: 0.5-1.5% density
  • Length: Variable, accuracy is priority
  • Focus: Clarity and technical precision
  • Terms: Industry-specific terminology

Modern Content Strategy

Focus On:

  • ✓ Natural language and readability
  • ✓ User intent and value
  • ✓ Semantic keywords and variations
  • ✓ Content quality and expertise
  • ✓ Comprehensive topic coverage

Avoid:

  • ✗ Keyword stuffing and over-optimization
  • ✗ Sacrificing readability for density
  • ✗ Ignoring context and user experience
  • ✗ Focusing solely on exact match keywords
  • ✗ Repetitive, unnatural language

Quality Over Quantity

Modern content strategy emphasizes natural keyword integration over hitting specific density targets. Here's how to balance optimization with quality:

📝

Write First

Create valuable content for your audience, then optimize

🎯

Strategic Placement

Use keywords naturally in titles, headers, and key positions

🔄

Iterate & Improve

Analyze performance and refine your approach over time

Over-Optimization Warning

Keyword densities above 5% often indicate over-optimization, which can harm both user experience and search rankings. Always prioritize readability and natural language flow over hitting specific density targets.

Ready for Advanced Keyword Analysis?

Get detailed keyword insights with Gorby's text analysis suite, including real-time density tracking, stop word filtering, and export options.

Keywords Highlighting

See keywords highlighted directly in your text

Advanced Filtering

Stop word exclusion and custom settings

Export Options

CSV and PDF export capabilities

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