If you wish to make your WordPress web page rank increased in search engines like google and yahoo, you might want to present as a lot details about it as potential. A technique to try this is by together with metadata similar to meta titles, meta tags, or meta descriptions.
On this article, you’ll be taught why meta descriptions, particularly, are essential for WordPress website positioning or “search engine marketing”. You’ll additionally be taught key tricks to write efficient meta descriptions to your pages.
Let’s get began!
A meta description tag is an HTML factor you possibly can add to your web page or web site. A meta description is supposed to provide the person an concept of your content material. It tells them how such content material pertains to their search question.
A meta description is likely one of the most elaborate types of metadata since you possibly can embrace as much as 155 characters. You possibly can see meta descriptions within the Search Engine Outcomes Web page (SERP) beneath the web page title.
Now, right here’s a meta description instance in HTML:
The meta description ought to embrace a goal key phrase, or a phrase that greatest describes the content material on the net web page. It also needs to embrace a prompting sentence that needs to be compelling sufficient for the person to go to your web page.
Most Content material Administration System platforms permit you to edit the web page’s meta description tag immediately throughout the code or within the meta description subject, after you go into the web page’s metadata settings.
WordPress, particularly, means that you can write your personal meta descriptions simply. There are a number of methods you are able to do that.
You possibly can set up website positioning plugins similar to Yoast website positioning, All in One website positioning, or Rank Math. All these instruments give you quick access to the meta description editor. One other manner is so as to add a meta description as an HTML tag within the code by modifying a PHP file.
Nonetheless, most individuals select to make use of the devoted plugin. WordPress has a whole library of these plugins.
A meta description isn’t as essential because it was, but it surely’s nonetheless part of on-page website positioning. In keeping with Google, meta descriptions don’t affect website positioning immediately, which means they aren’t a rating issue.
So, why are meta descriptions essential for website positioning?
Easy. A compelling meta description can affect click-through fee (CTR) and person expertise. We already understand how person expertise impacts website positioning. An excellent person expertise can translate into extra visitors. Google sees natural visitors as a beneficial indicator of whether or not your result’s related for a selected search question. In consequence, your website positioning can enhance.
By creating nice meta descriptions, you may also improve your probability of showing as a featured snippet within the prime a part of the SERP. A featured snippet is a quote out of your web page that Google highlights. Google makes use of a variety of completely different sources to mechanically decide the suitable snippet, together with descriptive info within the meta description.
That is what a featured snippet appears to be like like for a “click-through fee” question:
Snippets are a good way to catch customers’ consideration and drive visitors to your web site. Individuals usually click on on the snippet extra usually than on the primary end result on the web page.
It’s additionally essential to notice that Google gained’t all the time show your personal meta description in SERPs. Generally Google rewrites meta descriptions and dismisses the one in HTML if it’s not adequate. Should you don’t need Google to alter your meta description, you might want to know the right way to write a great one.
Meta descriptions are usually not as arduous to jot down. Nonetheless, you might want to keep in mind some key ideas. Listed below are the 5 most essential tricks to observe for a well-written meta description:
Keep Under the 155-character Restrict
The very first thing to think about when writing a meta description is its size. Though the character depend restrict isn’t particular, it’s normally throughout the 120 to 160 character vary. The character restrict will rely on the kind of gadget a viewer will use to go looking.
Additionally, consultants say a 155-character size is perfect, and also you shouldn’t exceed it. Should you exceed the quantity, your meta description would possibly simply get reduce brief. The result’s that customers gained’t have the complete context of your web page. See how a shortened meta description appears to be like like:
As I stated earlier, Google (and different search engines like google and yahoo) might substitute your meta description with one other one if yours doesn’t meet their requirements. That features size. It’s why it’s essential to explain the important thing message of your web page briefly and in easy phrases.
Use Lively Voice
The aim of a meta description is to persuade your target market to click on in your end result. For that to occur, you might want to communicate to them immediately. Think about their motivation for visiting your web page.
So, use the lively voice. Should you use the lively voice, you solely make your meta description extra participating and compelling. It’s going to assist you to seize the eye of potential guests and encourage them to click on by way of to your web site.
Utilizing the passive voice, however, makes your message much less private. It additionally makes it longer.
Embrace Your Goal Key phrase
Key phrases are the essence of website positioning. It is best to use them in probably the most related locations, similar to meta descriptions.
Your meta description ought to embrace a goal key phrase. This greatest conveys the subject of your content material. It’s essential to make use of a spotlight key phrase because it’s most likely additionally the phrase customers will make use of to go looking. When folks skim by way of the SERPs they usually discover a match for what they looked for, they may extra possible click on on that end result.
It’s additionally essential to make use of your focus key phrase as a result of Google will spotlight related phrases within the meta description. This makes the end result extra visually interesting. Google generally even highlights synonyms of the main target key phrase.
You may need discovered a number of related key phrases that match your content material. However don’t simply stuff them into your meta description. You also needs to keep in mind the key phrase density. Key phrase stuffing is a no-no.
Meta descriptions consisting of lengthy strings of key phrases don’t give customers a transparent concept of the web page’s content material. Moreover, for those who repeat the identical phrases or variations of these phrases in a piece of textual content, you’ll solely flip off your readers. Your technique would possibly find yourself backfiring, they usually find yourself ignoring your meta description (and web page) as a substitute.
Add a Name to Motion
A Name to Motion (CTA) is what’s going to in the end persuade the person to click on in your end result. It’s a phrase that urges the person to, nicely, take motion. Calls to motion needs to be direct and inspirational. Bear in mind what we stated about how it is best to use an lively voice to talk on to the person? It is best to do the identical together with your name to motion. Don’t attempt to be overly artistic. It would solely conceal your message. Go straight to the purpose.
So, use phrases like “Study extra”, “Get it now”, “Attempt totally free,” or one thing related. A name to motion ought to encourage a way of urgency. Don’t hesitate to make use of phrases like “Now” or “Right this moment” both. You can even combine in your goal key phrase.
Write Distinctive Meta Descriptions for Each Web page
Right here’s one final essential level: Create meta descriptions which are distinctive and related to the web page content material. Don’t use the identical meta description for each web page as a result of it would damage person expertise. In the end, it would damage your rankings in search engines like google and yahoo.
As you possibly can see within the instance beneath, the web page titles are completely different, however the meta descriptions are the identical:
Duplicate meta descriptions (like those seen above) don’t add worth. Should you run out of concepts, as a substitute of duplicating your meta description, simply don’t write something in any respect and go away the WordPress subject empty. Google will simply take a snippet out of your web page that comprises the key phrase used within the question and show that.
Should you don’t have time to create an correct description for each single web page, Google recommends prioritizing your content material.
Meta descriptions might seem to be a small element of website positioning. Nonetheless, they will have a huge impact in your web site’s efficiency in search engine outcomes pages. Bear in mind, they’re one of many first issues customers see in SERPs. Should you write good meta descriptions, you possibly can drive CTR and enhance search engine rankings.
You realized 5 tricks to write good WordPress meta descriptions that drive clicks.
Bear in mind to maintain them concise, use lively voice, and embrace your goal key phrase. Don’t overlook so as to add a name to motion and keep away from duplicate meta descriptions.
By following the ideas outlined on this article, you possibly can reap the perfect outcomes.
