One thing that might be done is to redo the keyword database by breaking into multiple databases (if possible) and removing keywords with fewer than 100 uses.
A program would have to be written, plus, there might be a need to 'purge' the FREEREPUBLIC keyword databases from time to time.
The first letter of the KEYWORD could determine which database it is found in... Just a thought...
Well, that would certainly render this site almost as effectively as a complete shutdown...right when search is needed the most...
I find keywords useless. Users can create new ones on the fly or misspell “breaking” etc. I stopped using them when I realized that I could not find a duplicate post with a keyword search most of the time.