What Is a Poison Word?
In terms of SEO, a word or a set of words can negatively affect the ranking of a web page thereby reducing its PageRank and domain authority (DA).
There is no set list of poison words given for public knowledge because it can vary according to the rules of the search engines.
However, it can be predicted that what types of words would be included in the category of poison words.
They may include words related to adult content, illegal or criminal activities, and other topics that are usually considered controversial.
Moreover, using a word in a spammy way that reflects the intention of gaining a certain advantage rather than providing useful information might also be considered a poison word.
They would be considered poison words because search engines ignore them while filtering results to give users safe and appropriate content.
Here is a list of words or phrases that might be selected as poison words in SEO and can result in lower rankings or bad user experience.
Free: When you offer a product or service for free, using the word "free" too often to make it appear spammy or deceptive can make "free" a poison word in this scenario.
Cheap: Just like "free", using the word "cheap" too frequently makes it appear manipulative way to attract users only without providing useful information or products/services can make it a poison word.
Guaranteed: Using the word "guaranteed" unnecessarily many times can make your content look spammy and deceptive and it can be a poison word.
Spam: "Spam" can also be considered a poison word if used inappropriately which can make search engines think that your content is spammy.
Virus, malware, scam: These words can be taken as malicious and risky which is why search engines may take them as poison words.
Do not forget that search engines always look for content that enhances user experience and encourages high-quality content. Such content is generated when website owners engage in ethical SEO and not in spammy tactics.
However, it is important to know that the search engines do not consider these words alone as they have evolved to consider many factors while deciding about the ranking of a website.
As a website owner, you must create quality content that should not appear deceptive or manipulative in any way, shape, or form.
What if we use poison words logically in the content?
The logical and moderate use of any word in a piece of content will not be considered spammy by the search engine.
For instance, if a piece of content warns about scams, it can use words like "scams" or "fraud" which is totally fine.
However, stuffing the content with such words or using them up to a point where it can be suspected of manipulation can raise concerns.
Therefore, sticking to providing correct information with naturally and strategically distributed keywords is the best thing you can do about your site's content.
Conclusion
Poison words are the words that are usually used in low-quality content and can decrease the ranking of the site if used inappropriately.
Website owners must avoid the illogical use of these words and should focus on creating relevant content that is useful and valuable for the audience.