Meta Tags - I will like to know your opinion!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Glennon on May 20, 2007 at 11:28pm

I think meta tags, and meta data for that matter, are totally useless. I would never use meta anything. I don't even use tags when I make web sites. My team uses only sticky notes, and scanners with text reading software. If a web site isn't written on sticky notes, my team won't touch it.

When did we start capitalizing meta tags, by the way?

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Permalink Reply by TJ on July 25, 2007 at 12:10pm

Remember when they said that about representing the year with just two digits?

There's method behind the meta-madness.

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Permalink Reply by Thom Kennon on May 21, 2007 at 3:22pm

Most search marketers now hold that the major engines don't rely much on meta tags when determining page rank, or at least meta keywords. But if you try stuffing them with lots of words that don't appear on the page you could well be penalized. So re: meta keywords, it can only hurt but not help much.

What is important is that you have succint & descriptive page titles (appears on your top browser bar) and, more importantly, page descriptions. The page descriptions are what will appear on your search results listing and - if appropos to the search - will drive interested and relevant click thru traffic to the page you are optimizing.

Other 'meta' tags that are important include image alt tags which help engines index non-text content and also help you comply with 508 regs.

Thom

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Permalink Reply by LLoyd Berry on May 21, 2007 at 8:11pm

in the end its Googles rules. They used to work but now with all the cash that is in search engines.. i have my doubts.... thoughts...

>>LL

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Permalink Reply by Iulian Gabriel on May 21, 2007 at 8:45pm

I agree with you Thom, like you told they are useful only for what will appear on your search results listing. But like LLoyd say I have my doubts and thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Farrukh Naeem on May 22, 2007 at 3:39am

Hi Iulian,

As a web content writer, I've found the H1 title tags to be most crucial in serach engine listings as of the current algorithms. I don't use meta tags which used to be all the rage some years back - and don't think I have lost much. In fact, loading up a meta tag with repetitive words can even work against the website. There are some serious flaws the way a leading search engine picks up the title tags though. But that's a whole new topic.

farrukh

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Permalink Reply by Steve McNamara on May 22, 2007 at 6:18pm

You might want to take a look at Google's advice, tips and tricks for webmasters at:

http://www.google.com/webmasters/

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Permalink Reply by Robert Henslee on July 23, 2007 at 4:36pm

Without question Meta TAG’s RULE and influence Search inclusions. I've spent the last 8 months positing one client’s "buy" key-word for TOP10 organic inclusion across 200+ search platforms internationally. Currently holding 9000+ TOP10 organic inclusions for my clients. I find meta works pretty well. It takes work, discovery, planning, research, prayers, and a client with some coins... and a little magic fairy dust.

This is only for the on-page optimization stuff. You'll need more than just Meta-Tag's and magic fairy dust to accomplish TOP10 in this many markets.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Keough on July 23, 2007 at 9:55pm

By all mean use the title element - not a meta tag. Use it well. Forget meta keywords, unless you are using it to remind you which words you are targeting on that page. (And if you need to do that...well..that might not be your only problem.) Description meta will help you communicate branding or reinforce searched term if written correctly. (as Thom points out.) If not used, engines will use a snippet of text from your page...with amusing results at times. You can think of your description as a possible place for a call to action. To be sure, anything as easily manipulated as a meta element will not have major influence on Google if there is nothing else to support the desired term.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Odden on July 24, 2007 at 7:32am

Anything you can do to make it easier for both users and search engines (bots) to understand a web document has benefits. While often abused, meta data does provide a small signal in this regard.

Title tags should be a focused indication of the on page content with most important keywords on the left.

The meta description tag should be an elaboration of the title tag with the consideration as Thom says, that its use as a link description in the search results will influence clickthrough to the web site.

After working with literally hundreds of site optimization projects since 1997, the most common mistake I see is the non-use of any kind of meta or title tag along with hard coding the same title/meta information on every page of the web site. This is akin to naming every chapter in a book the same thing.

Dynamic web sites can automatically populate title and meta description tags from other on-page content elements from the database. When used in combination with hard coded "broad keywords", dynamic insertion of keywords and descriptions can provide a reasonable way to "have your cake and eat it too" in terms of having relevant information and site maintenance.

BTW, I vote for Thom's reply as the best answer.

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Permalink Reply by TJ on July 24, 2007 at 7:32pm

Meta tags are going to be huge pretty soon...even more so when "Joe Average" learns how to manipulate them.
As for me being into serious Digital Photography...you want to know why its ALREADY huge for me?

Check it out.

and THINK about the ramifications of this awesome capability.

http://www.break.com/index/ridiculously-cool-technology-from-micros...

Give this a lookie if you really want to see the power behind this work.

http://labs.live.com/photosynth/

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