Meta title, Meta Description and Meta keywords best practice 2023

Understanding Website Metadata

In the vast expanse of the internet, websites are the gateways to businesses, information, and resources. But have you ever wondered how search engines like Google find and display relevant websites in their search results? The answer lies in website metadata. Website metadata, also known as meta tags, are snippets of information embedded within the HTML code of web pages. They provide crucial details about the content and structure of a website, helping search engines and users understand its purpose and relevance. In this article, we will delve into the world of website metadata and its significance in enhancing online discoverability.

All these elements, such as links and meta tags, fall under the category of metadata. However, not all metadata is relevant for your SEO efforts. In this article, and the two subsequent articles that will follow, we will focus on the specific metadata elements that do have an impact on your website’s rankings. In this first instalment, our attention will be on meta tags within the <head> section of your website.

Metadata Elements

Meta Title

Represents the main title of a webpage using the <title> tag.
Crucial for SEO, include the main keyword at the beginning and end with your company or website name for branding.

Meta Description

Provides a concise summary of the page’s content.
Serves as a suggestion for the text displayed in search result pages.

Meta Keywords

No longer influential for SEO and often disregarded by search engines.
Instructs search engines on how to treat a page (index or follow links).

Other Meta Tags in the <head> Section

Meta Refresh

Allows page redirection after a specified time.
Consider using appropriate HTTP status codes instead for clearer signals to search engines.

Meta Google

<meta name=”google” content=”nositelinkssearchbox” />
Prevents Google from displaying a site search box in search results.
<meta name=”google” content=”notranslate” />
Prevents Google Translate from prompting visitors to translate the site.

Google-site-verification

Used solely for verifying the site with Google Search Console.

Meta Viewport

Determines the zoom level and width of the webpage.
Ensure proper implementation to avoid issues with website responsiveness.

By following these best practices and understanding the purpose of each metadata element, you can optimize your website’s visibility, accessibility, and search engine rankings