Understanding search phrases

[RawDepth]

I believe the search engines will combine two of my single keywords in order to match a two word search phrase. But, (other way around,) will they take my double word key phrase and match only one of those words?

In other words, if my search phrase is “red dog,” will my site also come up for searches for just “dog”, or do I need to cover all bases with “red”, “dog”, and “red dog”?

I am trying to reduce a number of single words down to only a few phrases but I want to know if they will still have the same effect.

[gr8liverpoolfan]

The words dog and red are more generic than red dog. When you optimize for red dog by having that as your anchor text while building links, you are also increasing your chances to rank for dog and red by a small amount.

When you wish to rank for a variety of keywords, rotate your anchor text around.

[coolguy27]

You can also try using long tail keywords...

Here is an example. ‘Credit Cards‘ is the general keyword topic and long tail keywords within this niche includes terms such as the following:

* credit cards for people with bad credit
* list of low interest credit cards
* benefits of small business credit cards
* good canadian credit cards for students

These long tail keywords are actual search queries, therefore optimizing your site and creating content to match these search queries will allow you to attract visitors who search for information via these and similar search terms.

[skysoldier]

Originally Posted by gr8liverpoolfan

When you optimize for red dog by having that as your anchor text while building links, you are also increasing your chances to rank for dog and red by a small amount.

Good one, another one is a small amount of chance can also be in "red dogs" or
the one with "s", and using 3 word phrase may decrease the competitiveness like
"big red dog" or "small red dog", this may help you too.

[cEejay_01]

Originally Posted by skysoldier

Good one, another one is a small amount of chance can also be in "red dogs"

as what I know only your target KW should be place in your anchor. If you put some combination on it that would read as one. So its better to link build using only your target keyword in your anchor.

Originally Posted by skysoldier

"big red dog" or "small red dog", this may help you too.

or long tail