Your meta description is a short snippet of text that appears beneath your page title in Google search results. Think of it as your site’s elevator pitch, a quick summary that encourages people to click.
What Is the Meta Description?
– A 155/160 character summary of what your page is about
– Displayed on search engine results pages (SERPs)
– Not a direct ranking factor, but hugely influential for click-through rates
Why Meta Descriptions Matter
– Attract More Clicks
A compelling, well-written meta description increases the chances of someone visiting your site
– Reinforces Keywords
Including relevant search terms can improve the relevance of your listing
– Sets Expectations
Helps users know they’ve found the right page
How to Edit Meta Descriptions in Yoast
– Go to the page or post you want to edit in WordPress
– Scroll down to the Yoast SEO section
– Click “Edit Snippet”
– Write your custom meta description, aim for 150–160 characters
– Make sure your keyword appears naturally in the description
– Save or update your page
Tips for Writing Great Meta Descriptions
– Keep it clear and concise
– Use action-oriented language (e.g. “Discover,” “Learn more,” “Book now”)
– Include a keyword that matches the page content
– Make it unique for each page
Your meta description might be short, but it’s one of the most visible pieces of content you write, so make it count!
