@ShaneJones15
Latest posts by Shane Jones (see all)
- Wish You Could Get Paid for Playing Games Online? Your Dream Could Become a Reality - November 24, 2012
- A Little Green Goes a Long Way: Best Places to Recycle Ink Cartridges - November 16, 2012
- Tackling Meta Descriptions - November 13, 2012
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Meta descriptions: Not quite sure what this means? It’s the first 120 or so characters (not words) that show up underneath your website or other online presence on a Google search. You know – that beginning sentence of, “Browse for lunchroom tables for your cafeteria here by…” or other snippet.
Meta descriptions might be small, but they can pack a powerful punch. The name of a website can only do so much, especially when they are – ideally – short and to-the-point.
No matter what business you’re in, whether it’s selling school furniture or fine jewelry, you have two chances to reel in customers. The first is the name of your website and the second is your meta description.
And You Thought Learning Haikus Was Useless
There’s something sweet (and very profitable) about writing that is succinct and to-the-point. You don’t get any wiggle room with meta descriptions.
Every page of your site naturally has a meta description, and if you haven’t created text solely for that purpose, Google is more than happy to take care of that for you – but Google certainly isn’t a professional writer or marketer.
Every aspect of your content, both web and hard copy, should ideally be written by a professional writer. However, this isn’t always possible.
The next best thing you can do is work closely with your web designer to implement good meta description practices. Google yourself right now and see what shows up. Are there a lot of meaningless fluff words? Could it be better? Probably.
Flex Those Twitter Muscles
If you’re an active tweeter, whether personally or professionally, you’re already well-versed on how to write short and sweet. Use those skills.
Of course, meta descriptions need to be highly professional so there are no hash tags here. Just like in poetry, every word counts.
Fill these descriptions with as many keywords that will make a customer click while still maintaining proper grammar (i.e. don’t create a list of keywords that reads like a robot). Use a direct voice and get rid of those passive tendencies in all of your writing. Say what you mean without filler.
Need a Little Inspiration?
Unless you’re constantly changing your content, there’s a good chance you don’t need to routinely update your meta descriptions. That’s a big relief.
However, it can quickly get dull trying to create descriptions for unique pages, especially when you have a high number of product pages to work with. Draw a little inspiration from your competitors. Google keyphrases and see what meta descriptions other companies use.
The best part of this practice? Seeing just how good (or poor) other sites are. Meta descriptions are quickly – and unfortunately – put on the back burner. Think of these as a subtitle to your website. It’s one of the first things customers see, so make it a priority.
![DiTesco of IBlogZone the SEO Guru Who Helps You Succeed Online [Featured Blogger]](http://comluv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ditesco.jpg)
I like the idea of implementing the ‘Twitter technique’ and using it for meta descriptions! Twitter allows us to post 160-character updates, ditto for meta descriptions. However unlilke Twitter-lingo, meta information needs to be properly-worded, grammatically correct and legible.
Aaron recently posted..Popular and Successful Blogging Niches
Twitter: OddRandomThots
I try to create unique meta descriptions for each page I publish, and wordpress makes that easy to do. But wondering Shane, is there, or should there be just as much importance placed on meta descriptions as meta keywords?
The more I read about this kind of stuff, the more it seems it is more of an exact science. Finding that “sweet spot” between keywords and descriptions seems quite difficult. I’ve seen where folks have produced a solid ranking in just a few short months, almost makes it discouraging when one can not produce the same results.
Robert recently posted..Is Space becoming a Junk Yard?
Twitter: ShaneJones15
Hey Robert!!
Your meta data is extremely essential to optimizing your website, but it’s important to keep up with Google’s updates. While making sure you had keywords in your Meta Keywords spot filled out, you would rank in no time. But those days are long gone!
I actually recommend no one fill out the Meta keywords section now. Google has changed their view of these, and now they come of as a red flag for keyword stuffing!
Twitter: ShaneJones15
Just keep chugging along and you’ll make some head way I’m positive!! I think if you spend more of your time, doing the simple optimization practices, and trying to build exposure for your site. And if you keep producing great quality content, youll see traffic and rankings you want eventually
Twitter: OddRandomThots
Thanks for the words of encouragement Shane. It’s an uphill battle for sure, but I’m not one to give up easily. I’m glad you mentioned the part about not filling out the keywords. I’ve not been using keywords at all, just meta descriptions for each post or page. So I’ll continue to use this method. Plus all things can take a little time to develop.
Robert recently posted..Armed Cosmonauts!
I consider meta descriptions far more important than meta keywords, because MD’s have a big impact on the click through rate.
bert recently posted..Marketing nekt mkb
Twitter: blogdum
I agree.Meta description is what visitors see before clicking.hence it has great impact.
Shasha recently posted..Top 5 best graphic card below rs 5000 in India
Good reminder to see watch what your competitors are doing…the good ones that is. Something so easy to do but so hard to remember. Meta descriptions can be a down right pain, can they not?
Twitter: TheTechnoMAG
Meta description plays a vital role in driving more visitors through search engines, so it should always based on reality and attractive.
Joe Clark recently posted..Heading tags optimization for good SEO
Twitter: carpathia16
Excellent advice. Often the first couple of sentences of an article are not good descriptions of the content of the article. By using meta descriptions we can control what the search engine shows. I like your advice about not putting hash tags and keeping the description brief. I imagine people just want to learn enough to know whether to click through to your article.
Carolyn recently posted..Nokia Lumia 810 – A Smart and Easy Smartphone
Meta description should be always based on reality and be attractive.
Twitter: sdmmovies
Meta description 120 -160 characters always helpful and valuable for very search engine. thanks @Shane Jones sharing this information. it is useful for every blogger
Rahul Kashyap recently posted..Skyfall: Daniel Craig, and the Rebirth of a Franchise
I use Thesis, which lets me customize my page meta descriptions, and page titles for that matter. I don’t like Google pulling a description for itself, because it’s rarely what I would pick.
Great post Shane. That’s all about meta description, it too plays a role in bringing traffic to site. I thinks its about 160 characters.
Kevin recently posted..Fundamentals of Competitive SEO Analysis
Twitter: Steps2BuildSite
Meta description is important factor for SEO, target keyword should be present in meta Desc. Also it should be eye catchy so that it can attract readers to click on it.
BTW thanks for the post.
Chaitanya recently posted..How to Write SEO Articles with Keywords
Meta Descriptions are like the road signs of SEO. They tell you what you need to know, and when, but more importantly they are design catch your attention as well as convey important information!!
Tim Carpenter recently posted..Full Width Video Background CSS3 HTML5 Tutorial
Twitter: SEON_2012
Hi Shane,
What a very helpful article. Taking a look at my own Seo website i can see i have a lot of work to do, but im sure im going to enjoy because of your article.
Thanks,
Sasan
Twitter: @rich_amor
Hi Shane,
I see many website on page #1 do not have meta description. They ranked good each time they create posts It’s interesting though
richamor recently posted..Cara menghilangkan bekas jerawat: Testimoni Hariez
Twitter: stephanoasea
I know it is very easy to skip the meta descriptions. Even with plugins on the blog to remind me and to help me, I still forget them. It is like I feel so glad to be done with my post that I hit publish too soon! Thanks for the reminder! Very userful post!
Twitter: surajramnani
Hi,These are some unique steps of adding meta description especially the twitter technique i will definitely look this as an option for my blog
Suraj recently posted..India Vs Australia 2013 – 2nd Test Results
Twitter: keralpatel
I do put in meta descriptions with utmost care. Because after writing a 400 to 500 word article it won’t take much to just write up a proper meta description for your page.
Keral Patel recently posted..How To Get The Most Out Of Your PPC Landing Page