How Search Engines Interpret Page Titles and Descriptions
Search engines use the titles and descriptions you set (meta tags) to understand the content and purpose of your pages. Here's how they work:
Page Titles (Title Tags): The title tag is an HTML element that specifies the title of a web page. It appears in search engine results as the clickable headline and is crucial for SEO. Search engines consider the title tag one of the most important on-page factors for ranking.
Page Descriptions (Meta Descriptions): The meta description is a brief summary of a web page’s content. It appears below the page title in search engine results and helps users decide whether to click on your link. While meta descriptions are not a direct ranking factor, a well-crafted description can improve click-through rates, indirectly boosting your SEO.
Writing Titles and Descriptions
To maximize the SEO benefits of your page titles and descriptions, follow these best practices:
Incorporate Keywords:
- Titles: Include primary keywords relevant to the page content. Place the most important keywords towards the beginning of the title.
- Descriptions: Use relevant keywords naturally within the description. Aim to provide a concise summary that entices users to click.
Keep It Concise:
- Titles: Limit titles to 50-60 characters to ensure they display properly in search results.
- Descriptions: Keep descriptions between 150-160 characters to avoid truncation in search results.
Be Descriptive and Unique:
- Titles: Clearly describe the content of the page and make each title unique across your site.
- Descriptions: Write compelling and informative descriptions that provide value and encourage clicks. Avoid duplicating meta descriptions across different pages.
How to Update Page Titles and Descriptions on Universe
Follow the instructions here to make changes to your page title, description and URL.