Last updated: May 2026 · 4 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Key points
- Keywords are used by databases and search engines to index and surface your article in relevant searches.
- Use 4–8 keywords; most journals specify the exact number in their Author Guidelines.
- Include terms that searchers actually use — check Google Scholar or PubMed for common terminology in your field.
- Avoid duplicating words already in your title; keywords should extend discoverability, not repeat it.
- Use controlled vocabulary where your field has it: MeSH for medicine, JEL codes for economics.
Why keywords matter for discoverability
When a researcher searches Google Scholar, PubMed, or a university library database, the system matches their query against the title, abstract, and keywords of indexed articles. Well-chosen keywords mean your paper appears in more relevant searches.
How to select effective keywords
- Start with your core concepts: List the 3–4 main ideas your paper addresses.
- Check what searchers use: Go to Google Scholar and search for papers similar to yours. What terms appear in their titles and keywords?
- Use controlled vocabulary where available: Medicine uses MeSH; Economics uses JEL codes; Computer Science uses the ACM Computing Classification System.
- Avoid overly broad terms: management or health alone will not differentiate your paper from thousands of others.
- Avoid terms already in your title: Keywords should expand discoverability, not repeat it.
- Include your geographic or demographic focus: Researchers with the same focus will find you.
Number of keywords
Most journals ask for 4–8 keywords. Use the full allocation. Each additional relevant keyword is another route by which a reader can discover your paper.
Frequently asked questions
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