10 Common mistakes to avoid when writing meta descriptions.

Meta description plays a crucial role in driving traffic to your website. But meta descriptions have to be effective enough to inspire users to visit your web pages. Because mistakes while writing meta descriptions can affect traffic to your website. Followings are 10 common mistakes to avoid when writing meta descriptions

1. Too long or short Meta descriptions

You should avoid writing too long or short meta descriptions. It is an important factor that influences the CTR rate of your website.

See, Major search engines allow 150 to 160 characters to be shown in meta descriptions. When you exceed the allowed limit of meta-descriptions, the search engines will cut off the description. Understandably, truncated descriptions can't convey the right message to the users.

Short meta descriptions also have the same issue. With few words they can't explain what your page is about. It is extremely hard to include relevant keywords within a short description.

So, avoid writing both too long and short meta descriptions. Give a brief but comprehensive explanation of your page. It will improve the likelihood of users visiting your web pages.

2. Not writing a meta description

Another common mistake you have to avoid while writing meta descriptions. Yes, the search engines can generate their own meta description. But such meta descriptions sometimes fail to reflect the subject of your content.

Meta descriptions have the power to inspire searchers to visit your webpage. So, make sure you provide the most effective description for each of your pages and posts. Lack of meta description can confide users. It will lead to low click-through rates.

An effective meta-description will help both search engines and users to understand your content clearly. Thus, you will get improved traffic and engagement.

3. Not including relevant keywords

There are several important reasons why you should never make the mistake of not including relevant keywords within the meta descriptions.

Users expect to see the keywords within your meta description that will match with the search queries. They are more likely to click the URL when they find the relevant keywords within the meta description.

Because the inclusion of relevant keywords can help you accurately give a brief explanation of your content. It can be beneficial for both search engines and users.

Therefore, a lack of keywords within the description can lead to a low Click Through Rate, which will affect your SEO.

4. Keyword stuffing

Meta description is not a direct ranking factor in Google. The purpose of meta-description is to inform the searchers about the content of your page in a short but comprehensive paragraph.

So, readability truly matters. Stuffing meta descriptions with keywords can affect readability. Hence, users can't understand the subject of your content clearly. So it reduces the chances of users clicking on your URLs.

Not the keyword density. But how effectively your meta description can explain your pages and posts is what matters. The inclusion of relevant keywords is important. But they should come naturally without affecting the readability.

5. Misleading meta descriptions

The accuracy of the information you provide plays a crucial role in determining the ranking of your website. Therefore, misleading meta descriptions is a mistake you should avoid at all costs.

The words within a meta description should give a short, accurate explanation of the subject of your page. A URL with a misleading meta description may get clicks. However, users will immediately leave the website as they won't find relevant information.

So, it can affect user experience. Hence, Google will lower your search engine ranking as users immediately leave your website without reading the content.

Inaccurate, misleading information will never help you to rank higher on SERP. Remember, meta descriptions have a major role in determining the CTR of your posts.

So, ensure your meta descriptions include only relevant, accurate information

6. Not making meta descriptions unique

Not making a unique meta description for each post and page is a big mistake for some valid reasons.

Each one of your posts and pages has a different purpose. They focus on solving different issues. Understandably, their descriptions have to be unique. Meta descriptions provide no value when they are not relevant to the content of the website.

Lack of relevancy will lead to reduced CTR and search engine ranking.

Also, generic meta descriptions can't be interesting enough to inspire users to click on URLs. Because such a description can't give a clear explanation about the subject of your content.

To write a well-optimized meta description you should highlight issues users are facing. A generic or duplicate meta description can never fulfill it. Therefore, it can affect user experience.

Making unique meta descriptions is not that hard. You just have to explain the subject of each page accurately within a short paragraph. It will help users to easily find the page they are looking for.

7. Writing duplicate meta-descriptions

Duplicate meta description is an issue that can affect both SEO and user experience.

A well-optimized meta description will help search engines understand the content of your webpage. Finding duplicate descriptions across different pages makes it difficult for search engines to prioritize the pages for ranking.

So, to help search engines understand your content, you should write meta descriptions based on the topic of the content. Remember, each page covers different topics and issues. Therefore, your meta descriptions have to be unique and accurate.

See, users expect to find the exact content your meta descriptions explain. Finding the same meta description across different pages makes it difficult for users to find the content they are looking for. Undoubtedly, it can affect user experience and will lead to reduced ranking on SERP.

The meta descriptions of your web pages should accurately reflect the subject of each page. You should follow such a unique style to help users understand the exact topic of each page before visiting.

8. Not including a proper call to action

The inclusion of a proper call to action like read more or subscribe will direct users towards a desired action. Users can understand what they will find on a particular page.

Generic meta description can't instruct users to take a particular action. However, a meta description that is written in persuasive language and includes a proper call to action could inspire users to take a desired action.

So, the inclusion of a right call to action within the meta description can improve user engagement and conversion.

9. Writing for search engines, not for users

Writing meta descriptions solely for search engines can affect user engagement and CTR. Major search engines only favor web pages that satisfy the needs of the users.

See, what inspires users to click on URLs of your web pages is how well you understand the intent behind their queries. Your meta description reflects how well you understand the intent behind user queries.

Highlighting the issues users are facing and promising effective solutions within the meta description will surely improve the chances of getting clicks for your URLs. Because users will understand that you are well aware of what they are looking for.

Through your meta description clearly explain how your content can help them to solve their issues. Needless to say, such user-centric meta description will surely attract searchers to your website.

10. Not updating your descriptions

As a website owner, you shouldn't make the mistake of not updating the meta description regularly. Because only relevant information will rank higher on search engine result pages.

The only way to stay relevant is regular updation of your content and metes description with accurate information.

Neither search engines nor users like outdated content. So you have to replace outdated content with new, accurate information within your posts. Your meta descriptions should also reflect the newly updated content of your web pages.

So, through regular updation of content and meta description, your webpage stays relevant and fresh. Hence, you will see a continuous increase in traffic, engagement, and conversation rate.

Conclusion

So, by avoiding these common mistakes you can write well-optimized meta descriptions for your website. Need help optimizing your website content and meta descriptions?

Well, SEO specialists at Reon Technologies will help you to improve the SEO ranking of your website using proven strategies. So stop waiting. Call our staff today for a free SEO consultation.