Meta Description Tag
What is the role of a meta description tag?
The meta description tag is an HTML element that provides a concise summary of the content of a web page. Although it does not directly influence SEO rankings, it plays a crucial role in improving the click-through rate (CTR) from search engine results. Search engines often show the meta description under the page title in search results, giving users an overview of the page's content. A good meta description can encourage users to click on the link, increasing traffic to your site.
How do you write a good meta description?
To create an effective meta description, follow these best practices:
- Relevant and precise: The description should accurately reflect the content of the page and contain the main keywords, without being a simple cluster of keywords.
- Engaging: Use persuasive language and a call to action to get users' attention and encourage them to click.
- Concise: The ideal length of a meta description is between 150 and 160 characters. Longer descriptions may be cut off by search engines.
- Unique: Avoid duplicate descriptions on multiple pages. Each page should have a unique meta description that highlights its specific content.
What is the ideal size for a meta description?
The ideal size for a meta description is around 150 to 160 characters. This ensures that the entire description is shown in the search results, without being cut off. Respecting this length allows you to provide enough information to attract the attention of users, while remaining concise and relevant.
How do I see meta descriptions?
To see the meta descriptions of a web page, you can use several methods:
- Browser inspector: Right-click on the web page, select “Inspect” or “Inspect Item,” then search for the tag Meta with the attribute name="description” In the section Head HTML code.
- SEO tools: Use SEO tools like Screaming Frog, Moz, or Ahrefs to analyze your site's meta descriptions and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Source of the page: View the source code of the page by right-clicking and selecting “Show page source code” and then search for the tag Meta description.
Meta descriptions are a crucial part of on-page SEO. By optimizing your meta descriptions, you can improve the visibility and appeal of your site in search results, which can lead to increased organic traffic and conversions.
Discover more glossary terms
These definitions will allow you to deepen your knowledge of important concepts and words that are often used in our field.