An IR factor where documents score higher if query terms appear close together (e.g., “SEO tools” appearing adjacently vs. scattered).
Do you ever wonder why one page ranks for a keyword phrase and another one, using the same words, does not? I know the frustration of having all the right ingredients but not knowing how to mix them for a perfect ranking result. I want to share a simple, powerful trick that shows Google your page is the most relevant answer. 🤏
I am going to explain exactly What is Term Proximity (TP)? and why the distance between your keywords is so important. I will give you simple, actionable tips for writing powerful, focused content across every platform and industry. This easy focus on keyword closeness will immediately boost your page’s relevance score.
What is Term Proximity (TP)?
Term Proximity (TP) is a measurement search engines use to determine how closely related keywords appear to each other on a page. Think of it like a strength meter: the closer the words in a phrase are, the stronger the signal of relevance for that specific phrase. If a user searches for “best waterproof boots,” a page with those three words right next to each other is highly relevant.
I focus on Term Proximity because it proves to Google that I am talking about a specific, single concept, not just random words. If my main keyword appears in the Title Tag or an H1 heading with no other words separating them, that sends a very strong and clear relevance signal. I use this strategically to target precise long-tail queries.
Impact of Term Proximity Across CMS Platforms
Since Term Proximity is all about word placement, my strategy across all CMS platforms is to carefully craft key on-page elements.
WordPress
With WordPress, I pay close attention to the placement of my keywords in the Title Tag and H1 heading, ensuring they are as close as possible. I use SEO plugins like Yoast to check my keyword placement and ensure high Term Proximity in the first few sentences of my content. The editor gives me complete control over my headings for maximum impact.
Shopify
For my Shopify product pages, I make sure the entire key search phrase appears together, perfectly intact, in the Product Title. I never let extra words separate the core commercial terms in my product name. This high Term Proximity in the title is essential for capturing product-specific search traffic.
Wix
Wix users should focus on ensuring their main service keyword appears as a complete phrase in the page’s Title Tag and the main H1 heading. I avoid using extra, unnecessary words in these crucial areas that would dilute the Term Proximity signal. This clean, focused approach makes my pages highly relevant.
Webflow
Webflow is excellent for this because I can precisely control the text in my Title Tags and H1s, ensuring perfect Term Proximity. I also leverage the CMS to structure content so that the core keywords are introduced together in the first paragraph of every dynamic page. This disciplined placement sends clear signals to the search engine.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I enforce content standards that require a primary keyword phrase to be used exactly and without interruption in all core SEO elements. I can build templates that automatically use a clean, uninterrupted title structure. This technical rule-setting guarantees high Term Proximity on my most important pages.
Term Proximity Application in Different Industries
I use the principle of word closeness to target the most specific, high-intent phrases in every sector.
Ecommerce
In e-commerce, I utilize Term Proximity by crafting product titles that are laser-focused on the buyer’s exact search phrase, like “Sony noise-cancelling headphones WH-1000XM5.” I avoid adding generic words in the middle of this crucial phrase. This high proximity leads directly to qualified buyer traffic.
Local Businesses
For local businesses, I focus on keeping the service term and the location term right next to each other in the Title Tag, like “Emergency Plumber Chicago.” I avoid putting the brand name or other words between the service and the location. This strong connection is vital for local ranking.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
With SaaS, I ensure that my product category keyword is highly proximate to a benefit term in my headlines, such as “Best CRM Software for Small Business.” I always keep the benefit closely associated with the product type. This helps me rank for specific comparison searches.
Blogs
For my blogs, I ensure the exact title of the article is repeated as the H1 heading and that the core keyword phrase appears early in the introductory paragraph. This strong internal consistency and high Term Proximity throughout the page reassures Google of my article’s specific focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Term Proximity the most important factor in SEO?
It is one of the most important on-page factors for relevance, but it is not the only one. You still need great content, technical SEO, and backlinks to achieve top rankings.
What is the difference between Term Proximity and Term Dependence?
Term Proximity is the physical closeness of words. Term Dependence is the grammatical and semantic relationship between words. They work together: close words usually have a strong dependence.
Where should I aim for the highest Term Proximity?
I aim for the highest Term Proximity in the Title Tag, the H1 heading, and the first sentence of the page’s body text. These areas signal the core topic to the search engine most strongly.
If my keywords are far apart, what does that signal to Google?
If my keywords are far apart, it signals that the words are less related, or that the page’s topic is more general and unfocused. I lose the sharp relevance needed to rank for specific, long-tail phrases.
