How to Use Word Frequency Analysis for SEO
Updated September 2025
Word frequency analysis helps you understand which terms you emphasize in your content and whether those terms align with the search intent you’re targeting. In this guide, you’ll learn a practical workflow to use word frequency and keyword density to improve relevance without drifting into keyword stuffing.
1) Start with intent, not keywords
Before analyzing frequency, clarify the reader’s task. Are they researching, comparing, or ready to take action? Write a draft that fully answers that task. Frequency analysis is a revision tool, not a writing crutch.
2) Run an initial analysis
Paste your draft into the tool and click Analyze. Note your top terms, total word count, and the presence of branded or location modifiers if relevant. Don’t fixate on the exact percentages yet; we’re looking for big signals.
3) Calibrate density
As a rule of thumb, primary terms often settle around 1–2.5% density in well‑written articles. If you find a term above 3–4%, read the paragraphs where it repeats and replace a few instances with synonyms or rephrase sentences to reduce repetition.
4) Expand the vocabulary with related terms
Search engines understand topics, not just exact keywords. Add semantically related terms and entities. For a page about “meal prep,” include words like “batch cooking,” “portioning,” “containers,” “weekly plan,” and “shopping list.” This improves topical coverage and readability.
5) Optimize structure
Use headings to segment topics. Place the primary term in the H1 and in at least one H2 naturally. Include the term in the introduction and conclusion while keeping the tone human.
6) Revise and re‑analyze
After edits, run the analyzer again. You should see a more balanced distribution: fewer spikes on one word, more variety among supporting terms, and a healthy type–token ratio (unique words ÷ total words).
7) Publish with on‑page hygiene
- Compelling title tag (55–60 chars) and meta description (140–160 chars).
- Descriptive alt text for images.
- Internal links to related pages or tools (like our Word Frequency Counter).
Example
A 1,200‑word guide on “meal prep” used the phrase 22 times (1.83%). We trimmed a few repeats and added synonyms. Final density: 1.5%. TTR rose from 0.58 to 0.64, improving readability.
Takeaways
- Write naturally; use frequency as a diagnostic, not a quota.
- Balance the primary term with related vocabulary.
- Iterate: analyze → revise → analyze.
Try it now with the Word Frequency Counter and see what your draft reveals.
Workflow Blueprint (15‑minute pass)
- Skim top 25 terms — do they match the query’s promise?
- Switch to bigrams — pull 8–12 task phrases to drive headings.
- Patch gaps — add one checklist/table for missing decisions.
- De‑noise — remove brand fluff and repeated filler.
- Re‑run — export CSV and note what changed.
Signals to Track Over Time
| Signal | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap with top pages | 60–80% of essential phrases | Topical completeness without copying wording |
| Task phrase presence | At least 5 in H2/H3s | Improves scanability & intent match |
| CTA alignment | 1:1 with page goal | Clear next step increases engagement |
Last expanded November 11, 2025
SERP Snapshot Worksheet
Copy the first screen of two leading results and record five elements per page: chief promise, recurring phrases, evidence type, section order, and CTA language. Use the overlap to decide what your draft must cover and what it should uniquely add.
| Item | Page A | Page B | Your page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promise (1 sentence) | — | — | — |
| Top phrases (5–7) | — | — | — |
| Evidence used | — | — | — |
| Section order | — | — | — |
| CTA wording | — | — | — |
Editorial Do & Don’t
- Do convert repeated tasks into a concise checklist.
- Do elevate one or two high‑value phrases to headings.
- Don’t repeat a keyword line‑for‑line from competitors.
- Don’t add terms without a section that actually helps.
Expanded November 11, 2025
Opportunity Grid: Turn Counts into Sections
| Phrase cluster | Reader question | Proposed section | Asset |
|---|---|---|---|
| “how to measure”, “keyword gaps” | What am I missing? | Gap‑closing checklist | 5‑row table |
| “compare vs”, “alternatives” | Which option should I choose? | Decision criteria | Pros/cons matrix |
| “examples”, “templates” | What does it look like? | Worked example | Sample CSV |
Mini Case: Pricing Page Rewrite
A draft over‑used “affordable” and “best value” while missing phrases about limits (seats, API calls). After adding a limits table and adjusting headings to include those phrases, bounce rate fell and clicks to “See all plans” rose.
Added November 11, 2025
Entity Inventory Checklist
Beyond nouns and verbs, make a quick list of named entities that top pages mention. Decide which deserve a short explainer or a table row.
- Brands / models
- Standards / certifications
- Units / metrics
- APIs / frameworks
- Datasets / benchmarks
Section Placement Map
| Phrases | Best home | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “how to…”, “steps” | H2 + ordered list | Matches task intent and snippet formats |
| “vs”, “alternatives” | Comparison table | Readers scan faster in rows/columns |
| “benefits”, “proof” | Example + metric | Evidence beats adjectives |
Added November 11, 2025
Editorial Brief One‑Pager
Turn analyzer outputs into a brief anyone can execute quickly.
| Field | Fill this in |
|---|---|
| Reader promise | <One sentence outcome> |
| Must‑cover phrases (8–12) | <From Overlap + task phrases> |
| Unique angle | <What only our page explains> |
| Evidence | <Table, example, dataset> |
| CTA wording | <Verb + outcome> |
Added November 11, 2025
Section Weighting
Assign phrase clusters to sections so repetition supports meaning instead of bloating body text.
- Intro: 1–2 core phrases, promise the outcome.
- How‑to: task bigrams in step names.
- Comparison: features × criteria table.
- Proof: example with numbers.
Pitfall Watchlist (SEO Edition)
- Counting nav/legal text — paste body only.
- Elevating every frequent term — choose those tied to tasks.
- Adding phrases without an owning section.
- Ignoring “People Also Ask” phrasing in headings.
Post‑Edit Validation
- Re‑run frequency and compare exports.
- Scan headings: do top phrases appear naturally?
- Check a 5‑row table exists where users compare options.
- Confirm your CTA mirrors the page’s core task.
New pass added November 11, 2025