keywords vs phrases

Could someone clear up something that has been bugging me and I can't seem to find the answer:

I realise the Keywords meta tag is pretty much obsolete (but i bet you all still use it right?), my question is should keywords be listed in the phrases you target, individually, comma separated, with space, no spaces, lower-case? I have seen examples of all of these in well-ranked sites.

Say I am targeting "website design uk" and "graphic design uk", what would the best option be?

website design uk, graphic design uk
website, design, uk, graphic, design, uk
website, design, uk, graphic
website design uk graphic

(TITLE would be "website and graphic design UK - company name")

Thanks

Dan (newbie)

Hey Dan,

From my experience I can conclude the following:

- The meta keyword tag will not affect your rankings in most of the search engines

- I use it on about 50% of my sites, why only 50% of my sites you ask? Because about 50% of my sites have an internal search engine that like to read the meta keyword tag, eventhough most search engine robots ignore it these days.

- It doesn't hurt to place it in your code, and sometimes linking partners will find it and your meta description and form a description of your site with a link from it.

- As far as the commas or no commas, I tested both strategies and they both came back with the same results, so it doesn't matter however, i don't use any commas.

Hope that helps.

Nah, Well I dont have anythin gto add anyway. That about covers it really.
I use commas one day and spaces another. Depends what side of the bed I got out of lol

Makes no difference whatsoever.

the poor old meta keyword tag.

It could of been a contender. It does have real uses as far as the search engines are concerned, its a pity the SE's look on it with disgust nowaday.

oh well

:-?