Meta Description

What is a Meta Description?

A meta description is an HTML element that provides a brief summary of a web page’s content. It appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) under the page title, acting like a snippet preview to entice users to click on your link. While search engines don’t directly rely on meta descriptions for ranking, they are a crucial factor influencing click-through rates (CTR).

How to Write a Meta Description

Here’s how to craft compelling meta descriptions that drive clicks:

• Keep it concise: Aim for around 155-160 characters, following any character limit guidelines set by search engines.
• Target relevant keywords: Include keywords users might search for, but avoid keyword stuffing that reads unnaturally.
• Write for humans: Focus on user intent and craft a description that entices users to click. What value does your page offer?
• Highlight your value proposition: Briefly showcase what your page offers and why it’s valuable to the user.
• Include a call to action (CTA): Encourage users to click with a clear CTA like “Learn More” or “Shop Now.”

Meta Description Limits

There’s no strict character limit set by search engines, but Google typically truncates snippets around 155-160 characters. Aim for this range to ensure your entire description is visible in most search results.

What is “Meta” in SEO?

In SEO (Search Engine Optimization), “meta” refers to data about a webpage that’s not directly displayed on the page itself but provides information to search engines and browsers.  Meta descriptions are one type of meta element.