using <meta name="content" content="keyword........ they rank as #2 in yahoo and #4 in google for their search term and only 302 backlinks for that keyword while other competitors around it have 2,000 or more for that kw. also.. in addition to the usual, title, desc I see this. <META NAME="DC.Title" <META NAME="DC.Subject" CONTENT=""> <META NAME="DC.Description does DC stands for Data Center ? do i need this ? does it help..? I guess if i have to ask it is wrong.?
It seems that the DC.**** metas are some custom datas, that is not a standard for sure. More info on: adam.ac.uk/adam/metadata.html , but I am 2 lazy to read about that, I doubt it has any value for most of us.
The Meta tags arn't the reason they are ranking. The 302 backlinks probably carry alot of authority, but the 2,000 backlink site could all be from a sitewide on the one website. Either way, the Meta tags are the last thing that's determing placement.
I wouldn't say google completely ignores the meta tags. The description of my pages in google is taken directly from the meta tags. For SEO purposes, google may ignore the meta tags, but they are used.
meta tags do not carry the weight they once did. if any at all it is under debate on a lot of sites if this affects a sites ranking at all saweetfunny is right about the authority of the backlinks. if you have 3000 backlinks from bob the janitors blog as you payed him $50 for a sitewide link that is not going to carry as much weight as 320 quality backlinks with good anchor texts from authority sites.