Hi - I'm working for some sites dealing with Iraq. My concern is that all the keyword phrases have "Iraq" in them and I'm not sure if I'm going to get into trouble with Google.
Ex: "Iraq money" "Iraq economy" "Iraq stock market" "Iraq reconstruction" etc.
Just concerned that I'm not seem to be spamming.
I really appreciate any thoughts on this as I am new to SEO.
Thanks - John

most sites are on a theme and have common underlying wordsets which occur in many of their pages. its totally fine...

welcome to the forums JohnX :)

Assuming you mean on page text, just write to suit your human visitors and forget about Key word density etc.

If it's Meta tags and/or the page Title then yes, don't go past 2 occurences as a rule of thumb. Having said this though, it is widely thought that Google does not use Meta decriptions and Keywords.

Welcome to SEW Forums, JohnX!

If you're uncomfortable and think it looks a little over-done from a user perspective, then try for a little semantic diversity. Instead of Iraq money you could say Iraqi currency, for example. Use the words you're familiar with, and then add synonyms as well. It not only gives an opportunity to rank for a wider variety of search terms, but it generally makes for a more interesting read for site visitors, too.

I would take this opportunity to diversify the semantic base for additioanl keyword hits:

Iraqi Economy or Iraq's Economic Status
The Dinar (currency)
Baghdad Stock Exchange
Reconstruction of Iraq

Mix it up a little and diversify. These suggestions may not be the exact ones you'd like to use, but you get my drift. You don't need to use "Iraq" in every single instance and it will provide you with additional keyword opportunities. ;)

Having said this though, it is widely thought that Google does not use Meta decriptions and Keywords.

If there is no text at all on the page, then I have seen examples where Google DOES use the meta description tag as the 'descriptive snippet' that appears in the serps.

Chris_D, yes I have heard this.

I'm not fully convinced that Google does not use them at all though, even when there is text on the page. The only so called proof I have ever seen, is if you search for some text in the Meta tags (that is nowhere else), the page in question will not be shown. To me, this is not absolute proof that they are not used at all by Google for ranking purposes. They are however, very likely given little weight as it's an element that the end user (searcher) will not see, unlike the page Title.

If there is no text at all on the page, then I have seen examples where Google DOES use the meta description tag as the 'descriptive snippet' that appears in the serps.
even when there is text on the page if the exact phrase is in the meta description tag then it is often used to craft at least a portion of the abstract

If there is no text at all on the page, then I have seen examples where Google DOES use the meta description tag as the 'descriptive snippet' that appears in the serps.

Ok - I feel this requires an example. I have no affiliation with this site, or any site in these serps:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=flash+games

Look at the description for the 3rd or 4th result Orisinal : Morning Sunshine

Look at the source code for the page. Where is the google 'descriptive snippet' in the serps coming from?

If there is no text at all on the page, then I have seen examples where Google DOES use the meta description tag as the 'descriptive snippet' that appears in the serps.

As for whether or not the meta description tag is used for ranking purposes in Google or not - you'll need to do your own research Dave.

:)