how many meta keywords should I site have?

[ieatjackets]

From what I hear from SEO professionals, it is best to optimize for only a handful of keywords. So you may only need 4-5 entries in your META Keywords. Remember, you can repeat a keyword 3 times without getting penalized...

[Useless]

Originally Posted by ieatjackets

Remember, you can repeat a keyword 3 times without getting penalized...

Repeated where? In the metas or on the page?

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by Useless Warrior

Repeated where? In the metas or on the page?

In context, it seems like he's talking about meta-keywords.

In my experience, there are more factors to balance than simply the number, like 3.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by virgohippy

In context, it seems like he's talking about meta-keywords.

In my experience, there are more factors to balance than simply the number, like 3.

Yes, I believe it would be a true rarity that you'd find someone who is "in the know" who would toss out a number like that. Firstly, the number is bullshit. Secondy, what penatly? Don't tell me that I'm going to get penalized unless you know what the penalty is. Thirdly, I'd bet that a lot of people here have keyword phrases in their metas that repeat the same keyword numerous times. I know I do. Yet, for some stranger reason, my pages get listed. I guess 3 isn't the golden number.

[zack2004]

Originally Posted by Useless Warrior

Yes, I believe it would be a true rarity that you'd find someone who is "in the know" who would toss out a number like that. Firstly, the number is bullshit. Secondy, what penatly? Don't tell me that I'm going to get penalized unless you know what the penalty is. Thirdly, I'd bet that a lot of people here have keyword phrases in their metas that repeat the same keyword numerous times. I know I do. Yet, for some stranger reason, my pages get listed. I guess 3 isn't the golden number.

Most keywords are ignored by the major SE's. They make up their own based on the content of the page. ie:
"Useless Warrior gives his mustache a trim while he rides his mower to scare beavers". Could get a hit for the search “UW gives mustache rides to beavers”.
The more keywords you can use in your content the better the results.
It has to be done in sentences that make some kind of sense not just one word repeated hundreds of times.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by zack2004

Most keywords are ignored by the major SE's. They make up their own based on the content of the page.

In other words, it's not really a keyword unless it's found within the content of the page. Otherwise, it's just a waste of space found within the keyword meta tag.