Meta descriptions are a hidden line of HTML code that Google translates as 156-character text with a on its search results page very concrete summary of the content which the user will find when they click on the link.
The meta descriptions are the first contact users have with the content, so they should be attractive and invite people to click the link
Contrary to what many users think, meta descriptions shouldn’t be created with search engine rankings or spiders in mind, but with the user in mind. This fragment of text should always be aimed at the reader as it is the only content – beyond the title and URL – that the user can access on the Google results page, and it is this summary that makes the decision to click on the link or not.
While it is not an SEO parameter, it is still important as better meta descriptions will attract more clicks, which leads to more traffic and visibility. Meta descriptions will also appear on social media, such as Twitter cards, so they can also be used to drive more social traffic.
How do I write a meta description?
It’s actually about creating a very concrete summary of the content. It’s like writing a tweet when the social network only allows 140 characters. In the following picture you can see what the meta descriptions are like:
However, in order to get as many clicks as possible, the user must follow certain rules, e.g.
– –Insert the keyword through which the content is positioned. When the user performs a search, the words they are looking for are displayed in bold in the meta descriptions on the results page. That way, they’ll get more attention.
-It is not advisable to use more than 156 characters as the message will appear truncated. Ideally, keep the message on the Internet 139 charactersso that everything is clear and visible.
-The abstract must offer the reader some value. Should be attractiveLeave out clichés or robot phrases. It’s a good idea to include an emoji or differentiating element that will grab users’ attention.
Tips for improving meta descriptions
– On the internet, it is never advisable to write in capital letters as it will make you feel like you are screaming. It is possible to use them in a word that you want to emphasize, but it is also not recommended.
-Avoid the quotation marks as the meta description is an HTML code and the quotation marks could deconfigure it.
– Do not use an alt text or image description for the meta description. Also, do not copy the meta descriptions of other articles. According to Google’s quality team, it’s better not to have a meta description than a duplicate one.
– Use words that prompt users to take action. Verbs like “learn”, “seduce”, “receive” or “discover” work very well and often attract a lot of clicks.