Meta Tags are important for SEO

'Description' Meta Tag

Surprisingly, most websites do not make the best possible use of the description meta tag. They focus too much on offering a non-keyword rich description rather than using the opportunity to present important keywords.

You can repeat some keywords (only once and with a change of word order), but do not repeat them all. Given that search engines often include description meta tag content in search results, it does have an important marketing role; so bear in mind that employing clunky language to maximise your use of keywords could deter visitors.

You have to balance these dual roles - the need to present important keywords to search engines and the need to describe your site in a way that increases the likelihood of it being selected from a search. Of course these two functions are not mutually exclusive. An effective description (for the public) is likely to contain important keywords.

This meta tag should not be longer than 24 words. Longer meta tags may be penanlised by search engines.

Have a look at your competitors' description meta tags from their page sources. Look at several. Form you own view as to what appears to be an optimal balance between keyword inclusion and effective description.

'Keywords' Meta Tag

Keyword Meta Tags are ignored by Google, but remain important for other search engines. You should include all your keywords, the most important being listed first.

Avoid exhaustive lists and present less than 1000 characters (less than 500 is best). The trend nowadays is to limit the length of the keyword list.

Look at what your competitors have listed in their keyword meta tags. Affiliates work in crowded markets, they rarely need to re-invent the wheel.

Find out more about Meta Tags and how to write them.