--- title: "Meta description" url: https://marketingsignals.com/glossary/meta-description type: Page --- # Meta description Meta descriptions explained: when Google shows yours as the snippet, why it isn't a ranking factor, how long it should be and how to write one Google uses. SEO glossary ## Meta description A meta description is an HTML element in a page's head, written as , that summarises the page for search engines. Google may show it as the snippet under a result's title link when it describes the page better than text taken from the page itself. ## Is the meta description a ranking factor? No. Google's Matt Cutts wrote in September 2009 that although Google sometimes uses the description meta tag for its snippets, it doesn't use it in ranking. The value is in the click: a clear, specific summary helps a searcher decide that this result answers their question. ## How long should a meta description be? Google says there is no limit on length. It truncates snippets as needed, typically to fit the device width, so put the most useful information first. Google builds snippets mainly from page content and uses the meta description only when it is the better summary, so a well-written description is a strong suggestion rather than a guarantee. ## Writing good meta descriptions - Write a unique description for each page; identical ones across a site don't help - Describe the specific page, with facts such as price, size, author or opening hours where relevant - Avoid long strings of keywords, which Google is less likely to show - Use nosnippet, max-snippet or data-nosnippet if you need to limit what Google shows ## Example A product page with the description 'Shop our range of products at great prices' tells a searcher nothing. Rewritten as 'Solid oak dining table seating six, 180cm long with a matt oil finish. Free UK delivery within 10 working days.' it gives the facts a buyer compares, and Google has a reason to use it. ## Related terms - [Title tag](https://marketingsignals.com/glossary/title-tag) - [SERP](https://marketingsignals.com/glossary/serp) - [Featured snippets](https://marketingsignals.com/glossary/featured-snippets) - [Search intent](https://marketingsignals.com/glossary/search-intent) ## Further reading - [How to Write Content for SEO That Converts and Ranks](https://marketingsignals.com/insights/how-to-write-content-for-seo-that-converts-and-ranks) Our [Organic Search](https://marketingsignals.com/service/organic-search) service puts this into practice for brands in the UK and US. ## Sources - [Control your snippets in search results, Google Search Central](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/snippet) - [Google does not use the keywords meta tag in web ranking, Google Search Central (21 September 2009)](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2009/09/google-does-not-use-keywords-meta-tag) ## Ready To Grow Non-Branded Organic Revenue?