Meta Tags ? An Introduction

A long, long time ago? In a galaxy far, far away?meta tags were the key component to search engine rankings. Okay, it was about 2 years ago, but that's a long time in the Internet galaxy. Although still relevant, the evil empire?er, Darth Google, has led a movement by the search engines to de-emphasize their importance. Despite this effort, meta tags are still important. They represent the only method for a site owner to exert some control over how pages are listed in search engine results.

What The Heck Is A Meta Tag?

Meta tags are html code blocks that "tell" a search engine what a particular site page is about. Meta tags are not visible on the pages of your site. You can, however, see them for most sites by clicking the "view" and then "source" tab on the Explorer Browser.

Meta tags can be difficult to explain, so let's take a look at one of our client's sites.

BusinessTaxRecovery.com is listed in the number 1 position on Yahoo and MSN if you do a search for "business tax articles." The specific page is:

http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles

The meta tags for this page are:

Business Tax Articles

The meta title is a critical factor in controlling where your site is listed in search engines. The title should consist of the keywords being emphasized on the page. In this case, we are trying to come up under searches for "business tax articles". Since the page actually lists such articles, the meta tag is simply "business tax articles".

Importantly, the meta title will be underlined in the search results. A search for business tax articles on Yahoo finds our client in the number 1 position. The link looks like this:

BUSINESS TAX ARTICLES [underlined] Business tax articles, IRS news and more. Turn overlooked deductions and credits into business tax refunds at businesstaxrecovery.com. ... BUSINESS TAX ARTICLES. Business tax articles are added every week, so make sure to bookmark this page ... www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles.php

Meta Description Tag

The meta description tag appears under the title in the search engine results. Returning to our previous example, the meta description is the text that is not underlined. Essentially, meta descriptions expand on the meta title and give the search engine more keywords to consider.

One of the aggravating things about search engines is how they use meta descriptions. Most pick only certain sections of your description. When your link appears in the search results, the description may make little if any sense. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about it.

Meta Keywords

Historically, meta keywords were the single most important factor to getting your site ranked under the correct keywords. How times have changed. Google doesn't even look at them, while MSN and Yahoo give them little value. All and all, they are fairly unimportant, but you should still add them to your meta tags. If nothing else, it forces you to focus on the keywords you should have on the page.

In closing, every page of your site should have at least a meta title and description. Although their value has diminished, they are still an important factor in the search engine optimization process.

Halstatt Pires is with http://www.marketingtitan.com - an Internet marketing and advertising company comprised of a search engine optimization specialist providing meta tag optimization services and Internet marketing consultant providing internet marketing solutions through integrated design and programming services.

---

Successful Flash Tips

Ever browse across a website that took ten million years... Read More

Alternative to Web Site Templates and Design Software

Before I discovered the concept of Web site templates, I... Read More

Website Design - Choosing Your Colors Wisely

Colors convey emotions and emotions heavily influence the decision-making process.... Read More

How to Make Your Site Attractive to Potential Link Partners

Every now and then, I receive a link exchange request... Read More

10 Nifty Ways to Prolong Your Visitors at Your Website

Increasing the length of time a visitor is on your... Read More

Building a One-page Website

You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your... Read More

Testament To Testimonials

We have all seen websites showcasing their testimonials either spread... Read More

Speed Up Or Lose Out! How To Improve Your Websites Download Speed

So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More

Why Should You Care About Your Web Site Colors?

**How Colors are Used in web design:**Demarcates screen elements into... Read More

Your Web Site Is A Wonderland: What Picassos Art Taught Me About Persuasive Design

Whenever singer John Mayer sings his romantic song, "Your Body... Read More

How To Boost Your Chances at Having a Successful Web Site

New Web sites are springing up online by the millions.... Read More

Web Site Professionalism? What Is It?

Your web site should be-visitor friendly to navigatesearch engine friendly... Read More

Through The Looking Glass

My mother used to take me along when she visited... Read More

7 Ways of Building Customers Trust With Your Web Site

When I purchase something from a web site I first... Read More

Turn Harmful 404 Error Pages Into Helpful 301 Redirects

It's a fact, Page Not Found, known as a 404... Read More

Reach Out To Billions

Have you heard of 'Babel Fish'?It's a service provided by... Read More

Website Design: Secrets Of Professional Website Designers Revealed

What colors do you have at your website?Can they make... Read More

The Importance of Choosing Your Website Keywords Carefully

The importance of choosing your website keywords carefully is very... Read More

Looking for a Web Design Company? Use a Web Design Directory

Your business website tells a lot about your company. A... Read More

Business Opportunity for Graphic Designers

As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More

How to Create a Favicon for Your Web Site

One of the simplest things you can do to give... Read More

Web Coach Tip: The Single Most Important and CRUCIAL Element of Your Web Site

Here's the single most important part of your website: YOUR... Read More

KIS - Keep It Simple

There are many ways to add fancy bells and whistles... Read More

Imitation, The Smartest Form Of Flattery

Unless you are an inventor, most likely you are selling... Read More

Custom Icons For Your Specific Brand

Developing a software application is not easy at all; apart... Read More

Creating a Basic Web Design Template

A "template" is simply a design format which you can... Read More

6 Website Design Disasters and How to Avoid Them?.

Let's face it; the line from A Field of Dreams... Read More

Affordable Website Design In Manchester

If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More

Flash Doesnt Always Add Shine to Web Efforts

The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More

Website Registration Roadmap - How to Create Your Own Website in 7 Easy Steps

Creating your own website is actually easy in today's world... Read More

Cheap Website Design In Birmingham

Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More

Website Design: 10 Web Site Design Pitfalls To Avoid

If you've a website that is not generating a lot... Read More

Lead Capture Pages Explode Your Direct Sales Business Online!

Are you building a direct sales or mlm business online?... Read More