Any point in writing meta-descriptions any more ?

gm66 · October 16, 2015, 10:41:41 AM

I've noticed Google creating it's own meta descriptions more and more, but not with all of my clients.

Can't find any good info on this, thoughts ?

Cheers,

Gary.

Rumbas · October 16, 2015, 10:50:28 AM

I'm seeing it too, but only when your meta is not on par with the search or content:
http://th3core.com/talk/traffic/google-rewriting-titles-and-descriptions/

gm66 · October 16, 2015, 11:21:31 AM

I'd forgotten about that thread, thanks.

I'm seeing it when the description is relevant and well-written.

buckworks · October 16, 2015, 04:11:34 PM

I try to write a meta description that will come across well in the SERPs if Google does choose to use it.

Tune the wording to suit your main target keyword(s) for that page, and whatever happens, happens,

The descriptions that show up in your SERPs are worth keeping an eye on, but not obsessing over.

Rupert · October 20, 2015, 07:09:08 AM

I work on the basis we know they read it, so it is likely to add weight even if they do not appear to use it.

Keywords, that another matter. I long ago decided they were not worth the effort. Not sure if I am right.

gm66 · October 20, 2015, 08:42:02 AM

Quote from: Rupert on October 20, 2015, 07:09:08 AM
I work on the basis we know they read it, so it is likely to add weight even if they do not appear to use it.

Keywords, that another matter. I long ago decided they were not worth the effort. Not sure if I am right.

Yes you're right to, Google stopped paying attention to that in 2009 :

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/google-does-not-use-keywords-meta-tag.html

Rupert · October 20, 2015, 09:35:25 AM

Ha! and Bing interprets it as spam apparently.
http://searchengineland.com/the-meta-keywords-tag-lives-at-bing-why-only-spammers-should-use-it-96874

Gurtie · October 20, 2015, 01:29:57 PM

Google uses keywords again for news though.

Rupert · October 20, 2015, 02:04:33 PM

Thanks Gurtie. don't generally do much with news. I had forgotten that.

gm66 · October 20, 2015, 02:06:21 PM

Quote from: Gurtie on October 20, 2015, 01:29:57 PM
Google uses keywords again for news though.

never knew that.

ergophobe · October 20, 2015, 02:49:12 PM

But that's meta="news_keywords" not meta="keywords"

https://support.google.com/news/publisher/answer/68297?hl=en

http://searchengineland.com/google-announces-news-keywords-metatag-133759

http://searchengineland.com/up-close-using-the-news-keywords-tag-for-google-news-140552

Rupert · October 20, 2015, 04:00:13 PM

Love this place.

Something as simple as meta tags, and I still manage to refresh/ learn.

ergophobe · October 20, 2015, 04:32:11 PM

Nothing is so simple that it doesn't become complex if looked at long enough ;-)
- Einstein
- or Mark Twain
- or Cicero
- or possibly ergophobe

buckworks · October 20, 2015, 07:06:37 PM

Remember that regardless of ranking factors, a well-crafted meta description will attract USERS.

ergophobe · October 20, 2015, 08:17:23 PM

Quote from: buckworks on October 20, 2015, 07:06:37 PM
Remember that regardless of ranking factors, a well-crafted meta description will attract USERS.

I think that was the question - since Google is rewriting titles and meta descriptions, is it worth the time to craft them carefully?

I think the answer is that they still show up often enough and they are your one chance to actually pitch your page to the user on Google, so yes, it's worth some effort.