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meta tags?

by nancyjan
11 replies
  • SEO
    • |
what is meta tags and how can it work?
#meta #tags
  • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
    See SEO Tutorial - Meta Tags Optimization they no longer have SEO ranking value. No matter how much time you put into meta tags they will not increase your search engine rankings.

    I no longer use the keywords meta tag or description meta tag.

    David
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  • Profile picture of the author orvn
    The description tag is still valid and a good place to put a keyword or two.
    https://www.google.com/support/webma...y?answer=79812
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  • Profile picture of the author gtk29
    Meta tags are useful when your links appear in search results. Google shows what you put in description meta tag in the search results.
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  • Profile picture of the author englandrm
    Meta tags lost a lot of the value they used to have during the past few Google Updates.

    Google doesn't use the keyword meta tag, but other search engines do, so its worth filling out.

    Google does use the meta description tag, and potential visitors also see this tag, so it's definitely worth filling out. Try and put your main keyword 1-2 times in it, along with a synonym, try and entice clicks from users, and keep it under 160 characters.

    These are in the <head> tag, which is in the code of your website. Just google meta tags, and you'll see how to set them up.
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    • Profile picture of the author John F Kennedy
      Meta tags are HTML code.

      Often referred as description tag or meta keyword tag which are inserted in the header of a web page.

      Both meta description tags and meta keyword tags are not visible to the user, they're merely to provide document data to search engines.

      Other meta tags include http-equiv, meta robot tags, meta copyright tag, meta author tag and meta refresh tags. These provide search engine spiders and web browsers data of information.

      With that said, Google does not use Meta tags for search engine rankings. The reason for this is due to spamming. Lets say Ford was to use the meta tag Chevrolet Impala on its site to try and steal the search from GM? Instead of looking at the interior of the Impala the user could be redirected to The Ford Taurus, great if you're Ford, not so good for GM though.

      Google has chosen to ignore this data because it's open to such abuse and rightfully so.

      My advice would be to either spend some time doing some keyword research or opt for PPC.

      Hope this helps
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      • Profile picture of the author englandrm
        Originally Posted by jfkez View Post

        Meta tags are HTML code.
        Both meta description tags and meta keyword tags are not visible to the user, they're merely to provide document data to search engines.


        With that said, Google does not use Meta tags for search engine rankings.

        Hope this helps

        Users can see the Meta Description when it shows up below the Title Tag on a Google Search. The title tag will be Blue, followed by the url in green, and then the meta description in black. If you don't have a meta description on your site, Google may grab on page content or a description from a directory like dmoz.

        Google doesn't use meta keyword because of spam, but it definitely uses meta description. Try taking your main keyword out of your meta description, wait a week, and tell me your results haven't negatively changed.
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        • Profile picture of the author Carl Brown
          The description meta tag give YOU control over what appears in the Google results. If you use it, Google will use it in its results. If you don't use it, you have no control over what appears
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          • Profile picture of the author John F Kennedy
            Originally Posted by Carl Brown View Post

            The description meta tag give YOU control over what appears in the Google results. If you use it, Google will use it in its results. If you don't use it, you have no control over what appears
            But it's the keyword that gets searched, the meta description tag is a description of your site after your keyword has been found. Sure you want a description that matches the keyword but it will not help you get found in the first place.
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        • Profile picture of the author John F Kennedy
          Originally Posted by englandrm View Post

          Users can see the Meta Description when it shows up below the Title Tag on a Google Search. The title tag will be Blue, followed by the url in green, and then the meta description in black. If you don't have a meta description on your site, Google may grab on page content or a description from a directory like dmoz.
          Meta description tags main purpose is providing meta document data to user agents, such as search engines. It's a summary of your site, nothing more.

          Like I said. Both meta description tags and meta keyword tags are not visible to the user, they're merely to provide document data to search engines, such as a description on the search bar as you pointed out. They can not be seen by the user on the webpage itself. I know that Google don't rank with them.

          Not saying I don't have them on my sites, just wouldn't spend time trying to get them ranked; time better spent on keyword research. If all sites had the same description meta tags, we would all be ranked in the top 10.

          I realise this is a much debated topic with differing opinions though.
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    • Profile picture of the author orvn
      Originally Posted by englandrm View Post

      Google doesn't use the keyword meta tag, but other search engines do, so its worth filling out.
      No search engine use the keyword tag.
      Since 1997, one by one, all the search crawlers decommissioned it.
      Not one uses them today. Not even the little guys.
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      Orun Bhuiyan[@orvn] [linkedin] See what I've been doing lately by visiting my marketing agency's site. SEOcial specializes in content marketing and integrated optimization. We create conversions for businesses by gracefully connecting the realms of design, development and marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Dittberner
        Another reason, besides it is useless, not to use the keyword tag is it just makes it that much easier for the competition to click, "View source" and see what you are trying to rank for. Sure, there's other ways, but why make it easy?
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