TECHNICAL SEO

Meta Description

A short HTML snippet (150-160 characters) that summarizes a page's content and appears below the meta title in search engine results.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Your meta description is your ad copy in search results, and it's free. While Google doesn't use it as a direct ranking factor, a compelling description is the difference between a searcher clicking your result or scrolling past it.

For Brevard County businesses, think of it as your 160-character elevator pitch. Every search result is a competition for attention, and your description is your best weapon.

How It Works

The meta description works as a persuasion tool in search results:

How Does It Work?

Let's Breakdown The Process:

4 items

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1.Summarize the Page
Tell the searcher exactly what they'll find. Vague descriptions like 'Welcome to our website' waste precious characters. Be specific about what value the page offers.
2.Include Target Keywords
Google bolds keywords in the description that match the search query. This visual emphasis draws the eye and signals relevance.
3.Add a Call to Action
Phrases like 'Get a free quote,' 'Call today,' or 'See pricing' give the searcher a reason to click. Passive descriptions get passive results.
4.Mention Your Location
For local businesses, including your service area confirms to the searcher that you serve their area: 'Serving Titusville, Cocoa & the Space Coast.'

Tip: Click the circle to mark items done.

Before: "We are a plumbing company that offers many services. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you."

After: "24/7 emergency plumbing repair in Titusville FL. Licensed, insured, and rated 4.9 stars. Free estimates. Call now or book online."

The second version is specific, includes the location, and gives a clear reason to click.

Common questions

FAQ

Tap a question to expand.

Does the meta description affect rankings?

Not directly. Google confirmed it's not a ranking signal. But it heavily influences click-through rate, which is a behavioral signal. A higher CTR tells Google your result is relevant, which can indirectly boost your position.

How long should a meta description be?

Aim for 150-160 characters. Google truncates anything longer with an ellipsis. On mobile, even less is shown. Front-load the most important information in the first 120 characters.

Does Google always use my meta description?

No. Google rewrites meta descriptions about 70% of the time, pulling text it thinks better matches the specific search query. But having a well-written one increases the chances Google uses yours and provides a fallback for social sharing.

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