How to Use Keywords in Blog Posts the Right Way (2026 SEO Guide)

Include your primary keyword in the title, first 100 words, one H2 heading, and meta description. Use it naturally at a 1-2% density. For a 1,500-word post, that means 15-30 natural mentions. Google rewards topical depth over keyword repetition.
Keyword Placement Checklist
Every blog post should hit these keyword placement targets before publishing. This checklist represents the consensus of SEO best practices from analysis of top-ranking content in 2026.