Sunday, July 7, 2013

Understanding the Meta Description Tag with Google Search

The Meta description tag is primarily used to improve your click-thru rate in Google search results. With the proper formatting and query performed by the user, you can trigger this information in the search results. This meta tag incredibly strong when your descriptive information represents the intent of the Google user performing a query. Google will decide the relevance of the query and description inside the meta tag to determine what to display for the user. Let's take a look at Google query exercise:
  1. Go to Google.com
  1. Search for PC Headsets
  1. Scan for the Newegg.com result and notice the information below the hyperlink. The Description should read “Sound Cards and Speakers at Newegg.com. We offer the best prices, fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg.
  1. Next, click the result
  1. Next, Right click on the web page and view source
  1. Ctlr + F and search for <meta name=”description”
  1. You should see <meta name="description" content="Sound Cards and Speakers at Newegg.com.&#160; We offer the best prices, fast shipping and top-rated customer service.&#160; Once you know, you Newegg.">

It is important to understand that the meta description does not directly affect the ranking of your content. It only aids in the click-thrus to your content. Now, overtime, if the click-thru rate increases, your rank could go up as a result, but the mere fact of optimizing the meta description with your keywords has no direct affect on your query rank.

Reference for proper implementation
  1. Ensure you encase the meta description tag inside the <head> tag.
  2. <meta name="description" content="Your Content Here to Describe the Webpage">

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