REWRITE Short Meta Descriptions for SEO
December 30, 2012
Using Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools) I discovered nine "Short meta descriptions" on my website. You can see this shown in the image below. Google says: "Meta description information can give users a clear idea of your site's content and encourage users to click on your site in the search results pages."
The right column shows the URL for the page.
What's wrong with Short Meta Descriptions?
Short meta descriptions are considered bad SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Did you ever notice when you do a search that there is a description below the URL?
Below is an example of a Google search results for an HTML page on my website with a short meta description.
Because this had a Short Meta Description Google just took some text from the page. Boring.....boring....boring. My mistake.
Sometimes if Google does not like your Short Meta Description it will make up its own. One website authority called them "snippety snippets". They were jesting of course, but would you rather write the description for your web pages or let Google do it?
SOLUTION:
I rewrote the Short Meta Descriptions shown in the Google Webmaster Tools.
My preference both from an SEO standpoint and human interest is to use keywords that discuss the concept behind the work and relevant information about images or materials in my work.
EXAMPLE NEW META DESCRIPTION:
Embossed Oval Alphonse Mucha Bracelet is about how famous paintings are made into souvenirs in museum gift shops and printed on candy tins as an indication of good taste by Harriete Estel Berman.
RECOMMENDATION for best website SEO Practices
Try to write original descriptions, keywords, and titles on every page. Not only is it boring to your customer, clients, or collectors if everything is the same, but variety in your descriptions and keywords might capture a new or more diverse audience.
An additional factor is that Google now recognizes if you copy and paste the same description, title or keyword onto every page. Google downgrades your website if they find duplicate content.
Harriete Estel Berman
ART Jewelry Bracelets with Tin Gilt Frame 2007
The Alphonse Mucha Bracelet is part of this series.
This post was updated on July 11, 2022, to provide current links.