Beginner’s Guide To Using Meta Tags For SEO

Meta tags are often overlooked, but can be very valuable to both your SEO and clickthrough rate from organic search (the Google search results page) when done right.

Using Meta Tags For SEO

The two main types of meta tags that are considered most important to SEO are the Title Tag and Meta Name Descriptions and these are hidden in the source code of every page on your website. Find out what they are, why they are so important, and why you need to start using them here.

What Are SEO Title Tags and How to Use Them?

Title tags are incredibly important for your website SEO. They are the title of your website page as seen in the Google search results, they help Google determine which searches to show your pages for, and they also grab the attention of your target audience. 

Every one of your website pages should have its own unique title tag featuring the keywords you are specifically targeting for that page. The length is approximately 50-60 characters, any more and you run the risk of Google cutting your title tag short. This isn’t always a tragedy, sometimes it’s completely valid to squeeze in one more keyword to appeal to Google’s algorithm and accept that the end of your title will be lopped off. 

We recommend that your title tag takes the form of:

Keyword Phrase | Keyword Phrase | Business Name

There are three places that the title tag appears.

1. The Google Search Results Page

2. The Browser Bar When You Are on the Web Page

3. The Preview Text When You Post on Social Media

When writing up your tags, take the time to make a unique one for each page specific to that page’s keyword focus. The idea is to make it as easy as possible for Google to see that your page is relevant to the search and rank you higher for it.

For admin type pages such as disclaimers, copyright, and privacy policy pages, just a basic title tag will do. You don’t really need to optimise these pages as it is very unlikely people will be searching for them and you don’t really want your customers clicking on the disclaimer page as their first impression of your website. Keep it simple, for example:

Disclaimers | Business name

How to Use Meta Descriptions and Why You Need Them

Meta descriptions are the mini paragraphs under your title tag in the google search results. They only exist in the source code of your website so you won’t find them anywhere on your page. Aside from on Google, they also show up on social media posts. They have nothing to do with how highly your site is ranked but everything to do with converting potential customers and convincing them to click through to your page.

To write successful meta descriptions, try to include a keyword and a unique selling point to let searchers know exactly what the page will show them, convincing them to click. Remember to keep it short – Meta descriptions can be any length, but Google generally truncates them to ~155–160 characters. It’s best to keep meta descriptions long enough that they’re sufficiently descriptive, so we recommend descriptions between 50–160 characters. Keep in mind that the “optimal” length will vary depending on the situation, and your primary goal should be to provide value and drive clicks.  Write a unique meta description for each page, and keep in mind that Google may use it and may not, but it is good practice to have them just in case.

By properly utilising SEO title tags and meta descriptions, you are giving Google users the best possible first impression of your business. The title tag has the added benefit of doing wonders for your SEO, so using meta-data well is a sure-fire way to improve your ranking and conversion rate.

Check out my new online, self-managed course, The SEO School, which takes you through all the key tools and techniques of a successful SEO strategy.  The course is great for business owners, website managers and anyone who wants hands-on learning about all the essentials of SEO from an industry expert.  Find out more about The SEO School here.

Karen Dauncey

Karen Dauncey has been working in SEO since 2003. She specialises in helping businesses get found online through Google using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) She is the founder and creator of The SEO School an online SEO Course to help teach business owners how to do their own SEO. She regularly delivers educational programs for both Local, State and Federal Government and is an advisor for the ASBAS Digital Solutions Program. Karen’s passion and commitment to help small business owners get found online is the driving force behind her online school, making SEO advice accessible to all with free resources and online courses.

Karen's wealth of SEO knowledge and practical digital marketing experience comes from running her own SEO and Google Ads agency, Blue Cherry Online Marketing since 2008. Karen has optimised over 1000 websites, managed millions of dollars' worth of spend on Google Ads and has a solid understanding of the constantly shifting industry of digital marketing and SEO. This gives her a unique advantage when it comes to being able to recommend the right online marketing strategies for your business.

Karen has attended search engine conferences in London, Stockholm, Adelaide and Sydney, and was also invited to attend a pilot Business Coaching Course at Google’s Head Office. She has a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK.

She is also the co-owner of the Digital Experts Directory, an online directory for female serviced-based businesses to promote their business (with a great backlink for SEO).

To keep up to date with the latest in SEO, join her Facebook group The SEO School Community or follow her on Facebook or LinkedIn.