What is Meta description?
Meta description – a brief summary of the content on a web page that appears below the URL on search engine result pages (SERPs). This HTML attribute provides context for both users and search engines, conveying what a web page is about in just a sentence or two.
The purpose of the meta description is to entice users to click through to your website. If it’s well-written and relevant to the user's query, it can significantly increase click-through rates.
In addition to improving click-through rates, an effective meta description can also serve as an opportunity to differentiate your website from competitors and highlight unique value propositions.
How do I Write a Compelling Meta Description?
A compelling meta description should be concise, specific, and engaging. It should accurately reflect the content on your webpage while encouraging users to click through.
To write a strong meta description:
- Limit length to no more than 155 characters
- Incorporate target keywords
- Create unique descriptions for each page
- Showcase value proposition or USP (unique selling proposition)
Avoid writing generic descriptions like "Welcome!" or "Home Page". Instead, use action-oriented language that describes what users will find on your site such as "Discover our latest inventory of luxury cars."
Mistakes to Avoid with Your Meta Descriptions
Failing to craft high-quality meta descriptions may lead you down among ineffective SEO practices. By avoiding these common mistakes when creating metas, you'll help attract visitors who are genuinely interested in visiting websites-:
- Writing irrelevant information: Keep it pertinent by including accurate information that provides context about what users can expect to find on your page
- Copy-pasting large chunks of content from other areas of your website can damage your SEO efforts.
- Keyword stuffing: While it's important to incorporate keywords in your meta descriptions, overusing them with a view to ranking higher is counterproductive and could actually lower SERP rankings.