A page's meta description tag provides Google and other search engines with a summary of what the page is about, according to Google's guidelines.
Meta descriptions have no real effect on search engine results. However, they contribute to the understanding of a page's content by potential site visitors, which may have a positive effect on search referrals.
Source: Safalta
You'll discover how to write meta descriptions in this article that aid search engines in comprehending the content of your page and encourage searchers to click through and visit your website.Table of content
A Meta Description is what?
What makes meta descriptions crucial?
Qualities of a meta description
SERP Snippets vs. Meta Descriptions
Tips for Meta Descriptions
A Meta Description is what?
The meta description is an HTML tag that gives search engines and users a summary of what the webpage is about. It appears below the page title on search engine results pages (SERPs). A search snippet is made of the title, URL, and meta description.What makes meta descriptions crucial?
Meta descriptions are crucial because they inform Google of the content of your webpage. Google will have a better chance of ranking your page to respond to search queries if they can read and understand the content of your meta description. Google will show a snippet of text from the first paragraph of your page if you don't include a meta description. A search keyword will be bolded if it appears in that text. Although this isn't a bad thing, by omitting a meta description, you lose the opportunity to tailor the message you present to browsers.
Qualities of a meta description
The W3C, a global organization in charge of defining HTML standards, says the meta description has three characteristics.
Three requirements for a good meta description:
- Users are completely free to type whatever they want as long as it accurately describes the webpage.
- A search engine should be able to use the summary.
- Each webpage can only have one meta description.
SERP Snippets vs. Meta Descriptions
Some mistakenly use search snippets instead of the meta description.
However, search snippets and meta descriptions are two different things.
You have control over the HTML tag used for the meta description.
Your meta descriptions can be written and optimized.
The descriptions Google displays for your website are called search snippets.
Download these FREE Ebooks:
1.
Introduction to Digital Marketing
2.
Website Planning and Creation
Tips for Meta Descriptions
According to Google, a meta description should explain to users what the subject of the web page is.
The search engine ranks results based on the information in a meta description.
Consider your website's meta description as a sales pitch.
Make sure it accurately reflects what is on the page and explain why the reader will find the page useful.
Readers are likely to click away if they don't find what the meta description claims they will find.
Let's discuss some advice for creating a fantastic meta description.
1.
Provide an answer.
People are probably using Google to look up answers to questions.
Consider what they are seeking and how your content can help by trying to put yourself in their shoes.
Use your meta description to provide a benefit or an answer to that query.
As an illustration, suppose your website offers readers a free template for creating standard operating procedures.
What is an SOP? is most likely the query that viewers will Google.
Therefore, you should mention in your meta description that readers can use your guided template to learn how to write one.
2.
Outline a resolution to the problem.
Offer an answer to the problem your readers are trying to solve.
For instance, if you're creating a listicle roundup of useful CRM software for your blog, mention how many items are included in the post and why readers will find the post useful.
Keep in mind that the meta description is your page's "elevator pitch"; use it to persuade readers to click on your link by selling the information in your post.
This summary explains how many options readers will read about and why it's crucial to understand them.
3.
Keep the description concise.
Your audience will be educated in the page's body, so the meta description doesn't need to be extensive.
Give readers a summary of the page's content or highlight its most important point.
Only 160 characters or less should be used for meta descriptions.
Drafting a tweet is a good way to determine the length of a meta description.
Twitter has a character limit of 280 and notifies you when you've used all of them.
Consider shortening your description if it occupies more than half of the tweet box's circle.
Save the body text of the post for when readers access your page; meta descriptions should only serve as an overview.
4.
Don't overuse the keywords.
Although it should contain keywords, your meta description should read naturally to the reader.
Readers might not understand your meta description if you overuse keywords just to get a high rank.
A difficult-to-understand description might cause a visitor to leave your page.
For instance, "interview success" and "interview preparation" are the two main keywords on your webpage, which is delivering a content offer for interview materials.
You might use language like, "An interview success offer that's free to download to be successful in preparing for interviews." in your meta description.
The reader will understand this description, which makes use of two keywords while also providing the background knowledge necessary for them to understand how the offer page will benefit them.
5.
Keep readers interested and intrigued.
Make your meta descriptions enjoyable to read, if you can.
Anything striking enough to prevent the reader from scrolling through a SERP.
This is especially useful if you want to create engaging and distinctive content for your website.
Your meta should reflect the tone of the content.
Let's say your website's content is a blog post about amusing workplace memes.
This could have a simple description that achieves everything a meta description should.
With just two sentences, you can sell your content, let readers know what to expect, and still keep them interested.
6.
Inspire readers to take action.
Try adding a call-to-action at the end of your description if you want to persuade the reader to act or create a sense of urgency.
There are many CTAs available, such as Start a Free Trial or Sign Up Today.
Select one that fits with the content you're providing because context is important here.
7.
Avoid duplicate meta descriptions.
Duplicating the meta descriptions on your website is still detrimental to SEO, even though Google won't actively penalize you for it.
Search engines may flag some of your content as low-quality or redundant if you have an excessive number of descriptions that are the same, which will lower your ranking.
As an elevator pitch for your blog post, make it meaningful, simple to understand, and descriptive instead.
What are the ideal meta description practises?
In the description, include pertinent details about the content, generate descriptions using code, and Make good descriptions.
Does Google consider meta descriptions when allocating rankings?
How should a meta description be written for 2022?
- Briefly summarise the information on the page.
- Make each page's descriptions distinct.
- Naturally, incorporate your main keyword as well as associated keywords.
How do I get Google to rank me #1?
- Understand your position in Google's eyes.
- Smart keyword research.
- Determine the purpose of the search.
