A meta-description attribute is an HTML component. It describes and summarizes your page’s content for users and engine algorithms. Although meta-data isn’t as critical for SEO now, it still plays a role in on-page search engine optimization. There are plenty of meta description examples online but this article details the process of writing meta tags step by step.
Table of Contents
What is a meta-description?
A meta-description is an element within your meta-tags that define your content. It is a small piece of text that appears in the search results beneath your headline. But there are instances that searches will put a snippet from the main copy of the body of the page.
You can see the meta description examples of any webpage. Select the view source option by clicking.
This info has a few purposes. One is to serve as a snippet of text on the SERP. It is for the benefit of users who are performing searches that your page is ranking for. The meta-description should provide search engine users with a concise description of what they will find on your websites.
The length of a meta-description
Google put out the rule for metas. Previously metas were 160 characters or less in length.
Google will show up to 275 characters on the SERP. Thus, it would help if you improved your meta-description tags to be, at the most, 275 characters.
Importance of meta-descriptions
Metas can have a significant impact on your search engine optimization. It has one noteworthy value:
Meta-descriptions serve as ad texts.
What this means is that your ad is aiming to rank for a keyword. Google and other search engines will typically show the meta as the page’s summary.
Thus, the meta-description is as crucial as ad text.
A convincing meta-description can raise the click-through of your search results. Because of this, people who discover your page in the search will click through and visit your website. It will mean more traffic for you despite your rank being the same.
How can I optimize my meta-descriptions?
The best practices for writing good meta-descriptions are comparable to those for excellent ad text:
∙ It is not a prerequisite to add your keyword, but it is best to mention it at least once.
∙ Place important keywords closest to the front area of the meta-description tag. It is not an important component, but it is highly recommended. Avoid the strategy of keyword stuffing. It may even look tacky.
∙ Use well researched targeted keywords in your metas.
∙ Ensure your meta-descriptions are highly relevant to the content on each page. Steer clear of utilizing the same tags on your site.
∙ It is not always a requirement to include the brand name in the metas. It is in the tag as well as the page URL.
∙ Steer clear of using unnecessary symbols or punctuations. Hyphens, quotations, parenthesis, and others can take up valuable space.
∙ Discuss benefits and urgency.
∙ Persuade users to click through your site by showing them its relevance and touching their emotions.
∙ You must check to make sure that your meta isn’t too lengthy via a SERP preview tool.
It would help if you optimized your organic CTR.
Example CTAs:
∙ Call now
∙ Free download
∙ Schedule a call
∙ Free audit
∙ Learn more
∙ Read more
Meta descriptions are a small but powerful element. Make sure you optimize this short piece of text to encourage users to click and visit your site.