Hello all, I was wondering if you could tell me if meta-descriptions were defunct now? On many search engine lisitngs, you will see the descriptions on that listing as a jumble of words, instead of the meta-description the websites have specified. The other thing I have found is that companies actually have a good description in the rankings but don't even have a meta-description - I know if they have a DMOZ listings it will take that, but in a few cases, this isn't even the case! The example I will use is the website http://www.faith.co.uk/ - type this is into Google and it will have a nice description, but no meta-description, and no DMOZ entry - what is going on? Many thanks in advance, Mischa
Google will use a snippet of the web pages content if no meta description exists, seems like spam or isn't relevant enough to the web pages content. This is nothing new, that URL provided doesn't contain a proper meta description. <meta name="Description" content="Faith" /> Code (markup):
I do the meta without fail. Yes it's hard work but it sets the context of the site, including the outbound links
It depends on how well the meta-description matches the search term. What you should do is to match it to your main keyword or key phrase for that page. If it is a good match, Google will usually use it in the search results.
The meta description does not factor into ranking your site, it's only used to increase click throughs and lower bounce rates. You don't want to think spammy in any way when writing a meta description. Make the meta description an accurate description of that page.
Just search with any keyword in Google, e.g. here you search with "software development India" You will find Google look on theses 3 words in the description too, and those 3 words are in Bold mark, means, a proper description is really required to do better in SERP's.