SEO
Meta Description
Quick definition
A meta description is the HTML element that summarizes a webpage's content, often displayed as the snippet under the title in search results.
Meta descriptions don't directly influence rankings, but they heavily influence CTR by giving users a preview of what they'll find on the page.
Why Meta Description matters
Keep descriptions to 140–160 characters. Lead with the primary keyword (Google bolds it in SERPs), describe the page's value, and end with a soft CTA.
How Meta Description works in practice
Google rewrites descriptions for ~70%+ of queries based on the search context. That's normal — focus on writing a strong default rather than chasing every rewrite.
Best practices
- Keep length to 140–160 characters.
- Front-load the primary keyword.
- Tie to user intent and benefit.
- End with a clear next-step phrase.
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Related terms
Meta Title
A meta title (or title tag) is the HTML element that defines the title of a webpage, shown as the clickable headline in search results and browser tabs.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Click-Through Rate (CTR) is the percentage of impressions on a search result that turn into clicks.
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing individual webpage content and HTML elements to rank higher for target keywords.