Over optimization

[Magir]

Quick answer needed. Is there such a thing as an "over optimization penalty". We're getting this from an SEO who we think might be pulling the wool over our eyes.

Look forward to your responses

Thanks

[Foxipro]

I've personally never had an 'over-optimisation penalty', but I've certainly heard of it. I've heard the rumours of getting too many links with the same anchor/link text, too many of the same keywords on the page and so forth.

[nicolebeckett]

There's not an "over-optimization penalty", but you will not gain the respect of the search engines (or your visitors!) by keyword stuffing.  Perhaps that's what the SEO  company was talking about?

Generally, your target keywords should have a keyword density of 2-4%.  Sub-keywords can be a bit lower.  Anything higher than 4-5% and you're verging on the brink of stuffing, which doesn't look or read naturally.

[Magir]

OK nicolebeckett, I see. thank you

[psufootball]

I've never heard of such a penalty but it may exist.  It'd be very hard to reach it though, people use SEO on their sites all the time and nothing bad ever happens.