Meta Tags are hidden description fields that help search engines to categorise websites. They are also of reduced importance than a few years ago.
Correct use of meta tags is nevertheless a factor in search engine algorithms and worth getting right.
A few considerations:-
- Shorter tags are more focused than longer ones.
- Usually the first phrase has greater weight than later ones.
- The title tag is of most value
- Description and keyword tags are of lesser importance
Over recent years, search engines have become much more sophisticated and are now able to identify the theme of a page by analysing the text.
It is important therefore to write your page copy first, ensuring its content is about your chosen theme. Once written your tags should reflect its content.
e.g. this article is ‘about' meta tags, a good title would be:-
Title Tag "Meta tags and how to use them" Description "Meta tags, their content use by Clare Lawrence"
Keywords "Meta tags, title tag, description tag, keyword tags, copy text,".
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that meta tags can boost your sites ranking alone.
To get a good search engine result placement or SERPS you need:-
- Good content, relevant to your chosen key phrases.
- Links on related theme sites.
- Meta tags, particular title tags.
Note Tags are third on the list and a long way behind content and linkage.