11 Best Practices for Meta Description Tags .

Learn These Top 11 SEO Meta Description Tips to Improve Your Google Ranking.  

11 Tips to Improve Your Sites Ranking (SEO) with the Meta Description Tag .

The meta description is an HTML attribute that provides a summary of a web page. Think of your Meta Description as the welcome mat to your site's virtual doorway. While not tied directly to search engine rankings, a meta description can influence the decision of the searcher as to whether they want to click through to read more. Google uses click-through-rate (CTR) as a way of determining whether you are a good result.

1. Create Compelling and Quality Content

Create a compelling description that a searcher will want to click - Directly relevant to the page it describes and unique from the descriptions of your other pages. Your Meta Description should inform and interest users with a short, relevant summary of your web-page while strategically incorporating relevant keywords and key phrases.

2. The Meta Description Serves the Function of Advertising Copy

Treat the meta description as if it is an advertisement for your web-page. These short paragraphs are a webmaster's opportunity to advertise content to visitors and their chance to decide whether the content is relevant and contains the information they are seeking from their search.   

3. Provide a Value Proposition

Ensure your value proposition is unique and stands out from your competition. For every meta description, you write you need to be mindful of what the user is thinking and wanting.

4. Use Targeted Keywords and Key Phrases

Crafting a readable, compelling description using relevant keywords can improve the click-through rate for your web-page. If the search keyword matches the text in the meta description, Google will be more inclined to use that meta description and highlight it in the search results.

5. Relevant Keywords

Google and other search engines bold keywords in the description wherever they appear when they match the search query. A strategically placed keyword phrase can draw the eye to the description. It is vital that you incorporate relevant keywords into your description.  

6. Optimal Length

Meta descriptions can be any length. Google generally truncates snippets up to 155-160 characters. For best results, I recommend using between 50–160 characters.  

7. Incorporate a Call-to-action

Incorporating a short call-to-action (CTA) or offer in your meta description is a great way to boost your click-through rate and one way in which you stand out from your competition.  

8. Each Pages Meta Description Should Be Unique

Avoid duplicate meta description tags. Do not use the same meta descriptions on any pages.  

9. The Best Meta Descriptions Are Backed by High-Quality Content

Websites with quality content that meet the needs of those searching for that content and a user-friendly experience will win in the SERPs. 

10. Optimize Your Meta Description for Mobile

It is estimated that around 60% of all Google search queries come from mobile devices. When you are optimizing a website for search engines, it is critical that you take into account mobile audiences.

11. Optimal Format

A page's meta description should create a compelling description that a searcher will want to click while employing the keywords that the page is targeting. Meta description tags are crucial in gaining user click-through from SERPs.