Can Meta Description impact Google rankings (up or down)

Hi,

Does anyone know for sure if meta description will have any impact on search rankings?
I want to modify meta descriptions for some of my pages, in order to control the text that appears on SERPs. Some of my pages currently rank well, but the text in SERPs is not great and I am not getting as many CTRs as I would like.

I have read on some other forums that meta description is not a factor in SERP position -- meta description will not make you move up or down, and will only change the text that Google shows in SERPs.

Does anyone have any direct experience with this?

Thanks!

 

I should clarify that I don't expect the meta description changes to help me as far as rankings -- just with CTR. What I want to make sure to avoid is any kind of penalty in rankings due to a new meta description. If anyone has experience with this I really appreciate your comments. thanks a lot!

 

Yes.. Google searches look for the meta tag Keywords

 

Google does not use the meta description or keywords for any ranking or SERPs.
This is a myth. It has nothing to do with your ranking.

In fact, many sites don't even have them.

They can enhance a listing, as google may show a snippet of the description.
May. They may not if they think there is something else that is better. For example,
digitalpoint forums snippet for internet marketing forum search is:
"Search Engine Optimization and Marketing forum. ... Webmaster Forum - Internet Marketing & Search Engine Forums. Help. Remember Me? Western Union ..."
Only the first part is the meta description.

So, yes, it may improve CTR. In fact, google wants to give the best possible snippet for just that
reason.

I'm not saying don't have them. But they mean nothing as far as ranking or search position
goes.

Google is heading for more microdata snippets, I believe.

Google does not search for meta keywords. They completely ignore that meta.

Stephen C

 

Thanks Stephen! I will go ahead and experiment with the meta description then, and see if any good comes of it.

Sivaganesh....really? C'mon dude.

 

Meta description can be used as 'search excerpt' by google and it's wise to write a meta description with your keywords and a call to action. It can backfire if your page is getting a lot of longtail traffic.

 

Thanks Jitendraag - that is a really good consideration:

Guess I'd better review what keywords are actually sending traffic, before changing the meta desc.

 

I have see one of my top competitor who has changed his meta description which does not match to content , still he is at no-1 for that keyword.
So I can say , Google does not consider it.

 

Animesh, that is really interesting:

Just a theoretical question, I wonder how far someone could push this before Google would penalize you. Like could someone take a totally non-related site and put "Discount Cialis Acai Berry Adult Dating" (or similar nonsense) in the meta and not get penalized in serps? Maybe in that case Google would just not display the meta desc (like Stephen said above, they may or may not use the meta desc in serps).

 

Yes! Meta tags are the basis of onpage SEO. They are extremely valuble if used correct, but if used wrong can be detrimental. Have a look at this SEO tutorial which explains meta tags and general on-page search engine optimisation. Good luck

 

Meta description has a little to no impact toward seo on Google. They just used this tag to display website description in search results page. However, any Spam attempt on this tag could bring your website ranking down like a rock. This is apply to meta keywords either.

Do it properly - Nothing / Spam on it - Negative

 

Don't put much weight on the meta tags! Write a short description as it might make your spot on Google look more appealing in the SERPS but it will not boost your ranking.

 

Meta description is one of the importan part of SEO as well as the tittle tags, when someone search for your keyword and find your site the customer see after the tittle the description part , if customer mind your description and your tittle tag will click on your page.

 

Metas are not very important to SEO. Anyone who says that is barking
up the wrong SEO tree.

Meta description and keywords have nothing to do with google rankings
or SERPS. Half the replies have been some great advice!

This is cool:

Stephen C

 

Yeah Stephen I don't know what's up with some of the posters on here. A lot of these are really useful replies but some of them (like the ones saying meta keywords are super important) are really wrong and I have to wonder if people are just spamming the forum to get their post count up :/

 

Right, meta description tag is also an important factor for ranking purpose. So, I think it would be perfect to have keyword oriented ad-liked contents there. It would benefit not only SERP but also CTR, IMO.

Thanks,

 

I really like it when SEOs use meta keywords. It makes it easier for me to see the keywords my competition is optimizing for ;-) That's the only way I have used meta keywords in recent past.

 

Although Google does not use the meta description and keywords, the other SEs do. I still optimize the description field because of it's impact on the SERPs. The text does have a real impact on ctr.

 

can u guys please chk my site meta tags , adescription ... i m not good at seo works plz suggest me to get better ranking..

here is the link: www.logicmatters.org

 

Nope, it doesnt matter. It's for the people anyway.