What Is Keyword Stemming? The Complete Guide

Understanding the role of keyword stemming in Google’s search algorithm will help you write better content and improve your SEO strategies.

On this page, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keyword stemming, including examples, why it’s important, and how it impacts SEO:

• What is keyword stemming?
• What does keyword stemming mean?
• How does keyword stemming work?
• Examples of keyword stemming
• Why is keyword stemming important?
• Keyword stemming and search engine optimization (SEO): How do they work together?
• Is keyword stemming a Google ranking factor?

Let’s get started!

Optimize Your Optimization Efforts

Save time and effort while maximizing growth with SEO.com's user-friendly SEO tool

Try it for Free

What is keyword stemming?

Keyword stemming is Google’s ability to understand different forms of the same word in a specific search query. For example, Google knows that the terms baby and babies or goose and geese share similar meanings.

What does keyword stemming mean?

The term keyword stemming comes from the idea that Google can use the “stem” — or root — of a word to understand its meaning. So, Google is smart enough to recognize and display results for variations of the “stem.”

So, if you search the term “create,” you might also see content that uses the following words:

• Creates
• Creative
• Creating
• Created
• Creating
• Creation
• Creator

How does keyword stemming work?

Google has been using keyword stemming for a long time, but the algorithm has recently become even more advanced. Google can now identify plurals, misspellings, abbreviations, and even synonyms of a term.

So, instead of only showing results for the exact term you searched, Google will also show results for variations of that word.

When you search the term “PPC advertising,” Google displays results that use similar and related words like PPC, pay-per-click, advertising, and ads.

Examples of keyword stemming

By searching the term “fence” on Google, you can see an example of keyword stemming. Google displays content with the words “fences” and “fencing” as well.

Here are a few more stemming examples:

Why is keyword stemming important?

Keyword stemming is important to SEO because it has enabled Google to extend beyond “exact match” keyword recognition. Now, Google understands variations of the original keyword so it can provide more relevant search results for users.

Keyword stemming is also beneficial for content creators because it’s easier to create relevant content without using the exact same phrasing over and over on the same page.

Finally, keyword stemming is important for users, because they have easier access to the high-quality content they enjoy.

Keyword stemming and search engine optimization (SEO): How do they work together?

Now that you understand keyword stemming, let’s explore the relationship between keyword stemming and SEO.

What is keyword stemming in SEO?

Keyword stemming is a potential ranking factor in SEO. Since Google recognizes different variations of the same word, we encourage you to use as many stemming words as possible.

Using keyword variations in your content makes it more pleasant to read and prevents keyword stuffing. Keyword stuffing will make your content less popular on Google and amongst readers.

Keyword stemming also helps Google understand the context of your article, so it displays your site for all variations of your keyword target.

Can you use keyword stemming in SEO?

Yes, keyword stemming can be helpful SEO-wise, but not in the way you might have imagined it to be. Google can recognize a “keyword stem” and return search results that contain certain variations of that keyword. You’ll notice this in most search engine results pages (SERPs).

Benefits of keyword stemming for SEO

Keyword stemming can help improve the quality of your content and boost SEO. Here’s why you should take advantage of keyword stemming:

• Help Google index and rank your content: Exact keyword optimization is an ineffective and outdated tactic that sounds unnatural. Keyword stemming helps Google make sense of your content and could help your page rank for multiple keyword variations.
• Improve content quality: Keyword stuffing is out, and keyword stemming is in! Stuffing your content with keywords will not help you rank in the search results. Instead, use stemming to create content that’s enjoyable and ranks well.

Is keyword stemming a Google ranking factor?

Although Google recognizes keyword stems and uses them to display relevant content in the SERPs, keyword stemming is not a ranking factor.

However, using keyword stems can help improve the quality of your content, which in turn achieves higher rankings.

These are real SEO results driven for a WebFX client.

You’re next.

Learn More About SEO Services

260%

increase in organic revenue

198%

increase in organic transactions

150%

increase in organic traffic

3872%

increase in sessions from SEO

Make DIY SEO hassle-free with SEO.com

Ready to take your SEO strategy to the next level? Meet SEO.com. SEO.com is a free DIY SEO tool designed by SEOs to make managing and improve your SEO performance a piece of cake.

Try it for free today to instantly start tracking your organic traffic, researching keywords, analyzing competitors, and much more!