What Is a Meta Description? Definition
The short description text shown below the page title in Google search results.
What is a meta description?
The meta description is an HTML meta tag that contains a short summary of a page's content. Search engines show it in the results below the page title.
Example: a garden center's page about planting fruit trees could use <meta name="description" content="When and how to plant fruit trees: step-by-step guide with tips on location, soil and care. Read the guide now.">. Searchers see this text under the title in the search results and decide whether to click.
Effect on SEO
The meta description is not a direct ranking factor, but it has a strong effect on the click-through rate (CTR), and through it an indirect effect on rankings.
- Ideal length – 150-160 characters for desktop, 120 characters for mobile
- Call to action – a clear prompt to act increases the CTR
- Keyword integration – Google shows search terms in bold
The meta description is one of several on-page elements. Our technical SEO checklist covers the others.
Frequently asked questions
What is a meta description?
A meta description is an HTML meta tag with a short summary of a page's content. Search engines show it below the page title in the results.
Why does a meta description matter for SEO?
It is not a direct ranking factor, but it has a strong effect on the click-through rate and through it an indirect effect on rankings.
What is an example of a meta description?
A page about planting fruit trees could use a summary such as "When and how to plant fruit trees: step-by-step guide with tips on location, soil and care. Read the guide now."
How long should a meta description be?
Aim for 150 to 160 characters for desktop and around 120 characters for mobile.