A meta description is a short description of a webpage that appears in the search engine results pages (SERPs). This description gives searchers an idea of what the page is about, and can help them decide whether to click through to the page.
Meta descriptions are not a ranking factor in Google’s algorithm, but they can influence click-through rate (CTR), which is a significant factor in ranking.
The meta description should be:
- between 150-160 characters
- relevant to the page’s content
- unique (not duplicated on other pages)
- written for humans, not search engines
Here’s an example of a good meta description:
“Looking for a SEO friendly meta tag guide? This ultimate guide will show you how to write a meta description that is both SEO friendly and enticing to searchers.”
If you’re not sure how to write a meta description, or want some tips on how to make your meta descriptions more effective, read on.
How to Write a Meta Description
- Keep it between 150-160 characters
The ideal length for a meta description is between 150-160 characters. This gives you enough space to include relevant keywords and a call to action, without overwhelming searchers.
- Make it relevant to the page’s content
Your meta description should be relevant to the page’s content. This means including keywords that are related to what the page is about.
- Keep it unique
Each page on your website should have a unique meta description. This helps to ensure that your website is not penalized for duplicate content.
- Write for humans, not search engines
Your meta description should be written for humans, not search engines. This means using natural language that is easy to read and understand.
- Use keywords wisely
While you should include relevant keywords in your meta description, you should also avoid keyword stuffing. This means using keywords in a way that sounds natural, not forced.
- Include a call to action
Your meta description should include a call to action, such as “click here to learn more.” This helps to encourage searchers to click through to your website.
- Use proper grammar and punctuation
Your meta description should be well-written, with proper grammar and punctuation. This helps to give searchers a positive impression of your website.
- Test, test, test
You should always test your meta descriptions to see what works best. Try different versions of your meta description, and track the CTR to see which version performs the best.
- Keep it up to date
Your meta description should be kept up to date, as changes to your website can affect its CTR. If you make changes to your website, be sure to update your meta description accordingly.
Meta Description Examples
Here are some examples of effective meta descriptions:
- “Looking for a SEO friendly meta tag guide? This ultimate guide will show you how to write a meta description that is both SEO friendly and enticing to searchers.”
- “Need help with your website’s SEO? This guide will show you how to write a meta description that is both effective and keyword rich.”
- “Not sure how to write a meta description? This guide will give you the tips and tricks you need to write an effective meta description for your website.”
