Long meta description
-
Hello,
I apologize in advance because the question must have already been posted, but 90% of my searches in "Search for a Question" drive me to a "no questions found" (i would be nice to improve this aspect of the Pro Q&A Forum
So, a friend of mine asked to me what he should put for the meta description of automatically generated pages for his project. He has no tool to set a customized meta description for every page (and does not want to find one !) but he asked me the following : what is the less worse between :
-
put the first words of the content (150 characters)
-
put nothing and let google find what will be the better parts of the content for the user request
-
put the whole content (600 characters) in order to avoid having just the begining of the content, which is not always useful in that case
Did anyone try these options, what would be the less unproductive ?
Thanks
Loïc
-
-
Putting nothing actually isn't always bad these days. If the pages are clearly unique, Google can create a snippet with no trouble. In fact, they often do this anyway (regardless of your META description). Most people prefer some control over the snippet (you never have total control), but I've seen cases where leaving a META description off worked fine.
There really isn't much benefit to going beyond the length limit - it's not a ranking signal and Google will only display up to the limit. If you had a long META description, it's possible Google would display a middle section of it if that matched the query, but in most cases I wouldn't bother. You're just using up load-time for something very low value. Presumably, that text is also on the page somewhere.
All of this is to say that, while I'd lean toward the truncated version, I don't think it's cut-and-dry. I'd actually say the long version is my last pick in most cases. As @Boomajoom said, it could be a spam signal (although probably only if its keyword-stuffed).
-
Thanks for all your answers, I understand putting nothing is the worse option. For other options, it depends on the tools provided by the website, but taking the first 150 characters is the right thing to do when no more accurate method is available.
Thanks again
-
I always put a meta description. I do keep them less than 150 characters. I agree that this is the call to action in organic rankings. I love to ask a question that uses the keywords for the page. For example:
Looking for Security Officer Training Classes in Houston Texas? Enroll today for Top Gun Security’s Level 2 security officer/security guard class.
or
Need a Houston Electrician? Call ProLectric an expert electrician serving Houston, Texas. For fast electrical service call 281-957-5514.
I hope this helps!
-
First words of the content is the best option. But I would recommend some combination of taking some of the title and content to make sure you have some of the solid keywords. DO NOT PUT NOTHING. DO NOT PUT 600 CHARACTERS.
As a reference here is what the search engines show:
Google shows 69 Characters (Including Spaces) for Page Title.
Google shows 156 Characters (Including Spaces) for Meta Description.
Yahoo shows up to 72 Characters (Including Spaces) for a Page Title. (PDF’s up to 75 characters)
Yahoo shows up to 161 Characters (Including Spaces) for Meta Description.
Bing shows 65 Characters (Including Spaces) for a Page Title Tag.
Bing shows up to 150 Characters (Including Spaces) for Meta Description Tag.
-
Your meta description isn't really a factor in ranking and more of a call to action for a user to click the search result. That said, putting too much there is probably a spam signal.
My suggestion would be to either leave it blank or put the first words of the content. Google will replace the snippet based on user query no matter what your decision.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Meta Description
Hey folks, I'm having a little problem with meta description. https://www.google.com/search?q=SSl-5+duncan&oq=SSl-5+duncan+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3486j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8 If you look at that first result it looks like this: Custom Staggered Strat | Seymour Duncan <cite class="_Rm">www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/custom-staggered-strat</cite>Custom Staggered Strat SSL-5. Home; / Pickups ... Maserati tribute - Fender Stratocaster with seymour duncan ssl 5 ... Talk Tone @seymourduncanpickups ...Even while the meta description code is this:name="description" itemprop="description" content="The ultimate overwound Strat single coil pickup, found in the bridge position of the David Gilmour Signature Fender Stratocaster." />We are seeing the same issue here in many places:https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=seymour duncan blogUsing the All In One SEO Pack - Any suggestions as to what might be causing this or how to fix it?
On-Page Optimization | | ScottOlson0 -
2 version of meta description and title
Hi guys, I have seen two versions of meta descriptions and meta titles for one URL (this is happening on a few of my pages). Initially, I thought Google is pulling the information from my page content. However, it is not the case. I have realized the information showing on SERPs are very old description (years ago information). Just a bit background information, we had a new website launched in April this year. The issue stated since the new website launch. Anyone experienced similar situation?
On-Page Optimization | | pengiuns-al0 -
Different title tags and meta descriptions for desktop and mobile?
Is it possible to use different title tags and meta descriptions for mobile users? For Example: In the SERP for desktop you'll see the desktop title tags and meta descriptions, but in the SERP for mobile you'll the mobile versions of the webpage.
On-Page Optimization | | alex19780 -
Multi channel product descriptions & dupe content issues
Hi When filling in inventory files to upload to the likes of Amazon clients will usually be copying and pasting the product descriptions from the website product descriptions into the Amazon product description field Should they really be re-written to avoid dupe content issues ? I presume not since it is the official description of the product. Please note that i'm talking here about the manufacturers website/product descriptions and their own Amazon shop descriptions. So theirs is the original authoritative description. Cheers Dan
On-Page Optimization | | Dan-Lawrence0 -
How do I manage my organic SEO efforts with multiple product descriptions/specifications???
Good Evening MOZ community I am currently working on a website my company has just launched. I am in charge of the entire commercial side of the business from pricing to brand management including all elements of digital marketing. First of all I should make it clear I am by no means an SEO expert. However I appreciate the importance of organic search and particularly on page optimization and no I need to build it into our site from the onset. My problem lies in that our website stocks roughly 2000 individual products (Tools and Engineering products) and I am struggling to overcome the following; 1. I do not have the time or resource to re-write original product descriptions and specifications for 2000+ products 2. How can I create healthy on page SEO without having to do this? (we are not able to provide budget to outsource these efforts at the moment) Will copying manufacturer descriptions cripple our SEO 3. Many product specifications need to be displayed exactly as they would on the original manufacturer websites. How can I include exact copies of these without being penalized by google for duplicating content? Essentially I realise the importance of on page SEO and want to build it into the site for the future but need to find a way of optimizing it with minimal time. I understand much of this is a big ask but any hints or tips you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rob 🙂
On-Page Optimization | | robmarr7890 -
How do websites display product attributes listed with their meta descriptions in Google SEPRs?
If you take a look at this SERP for "boys costumes" you can see that Amazon, HalloweenExpress and Target all have attributes listed such as "Products 1-25 of 500" or Kids Legolas _Costume. _ These are getting blended with their meta descriptions. How are they doing this? Anyone see any lifts in ranking or CTR by doing this? Thank you!
On-Page Optimization | | Troyville0 -
Information being added before meta description
On the search engine results page I am finding that information has been added before my meta description - this is only a recent flaw and I've no idea how it can be caused. It is happening in the same format as you see dates sometimes before meta descriptions. This is what is actually being shown on the search engine results page. I am getting this text - Product 1 - 15 of 18 – then my meta description after that. The words 'Product 1 - 15 of 18' is in the heading at the top of the page but it is in no way interacting with the meta description. It looks like Google is confusing the words 'Product 1 - 15 of 18' with a date possibly. Any suggestions.
On-Page Optimization | | serp3600