The meta tag is a HTML element that contains information about the page, such as keywords or description. The most common use of meta tags is to provide additional information for search engine optimization (SEO). Some websites use meta tags in an attempt to deceive search engines and trick them into displaying their content higher on the SERP than it should be. This practice is known as cloaking. Search engines do not like this because they want to give users relevant results.
Google has recently started penalizing sites that have been using cloaking techniques to rank pages higher than they deserve. In fact, Google's Matt Cutts said on his blog that: "We are working hard to make sure we don’t inadvertently reward bad behavior." If you are caught cheating, your site may get demoted in the search results. So, if you're thinking about doing something sneaky, think twice!
You can find out more about how Google handles cloaking by reading our article on the topic.
There are two main ways to use meta tags:
1) To help search engines understand what kind of content your website offers.
2) To tell visitors what your website is all about.
In order to improve SEO, you need to focus on both types of meta tags. You should include at least one keyword-rich title tag and several descriptive meta tags. You also need to write unique content on each page of your website.
Now that you know why you need these tags, let's take a look at some great examples of how to use them.
Example 1: Keywords - Title & Description
This example shows how to create meta tags with keywords. Notice how the keywords appear in the title and the description. Also notice that there is no link back to the home page. This is important because when someone clicks on the link, they will leave your website and never return.
Example 2: Home Page Metatags
Here is another example of how to create a good set of meta tags. Notice how the keywords are included in the title and the URL. Also notice that there are links back to other pages on the same domain. These links are very valuable because they allow people to navigate through your website without leaving.
Example 3: Product Pages
This is an example of how to add meta tags to product pages. Notice how the keywords and descriptions are used to describe the products. Also notice that there's a link back to the homepage. This is a very effective way to keep customers from getting lost on your website.
Example 4: About Us Page
Here is an example of how you can use meta tags to show visitors who you are. Notice how the keywords give an idea of what your company does. Also notice how there is a link back to the home. This helps customers navigate around your website easily.
Example 5: Contact Page
Here is a contact page where you can see how to use meta tags effectively. Notice how the keywords in the header tag help visitors navigate around the page. Also notice that there isn't any link back to the homepage. This makes sense since only visitors who are interested in contacting you would click on a link.
Example 6: Blog Posting Page
If you run a blog, you probably already know that meta tags play a big part in helping search engines understand what your blog post is all about. Notice how the keywords help define the subject matter. Also notice that there aren't any links back to the home page which means that only readers who are interested in reading this particular piece of content would visit it.
The best way to figure out which meta tags are good for your site is to test different combinations until you get the results you want. The following steps will help you do just that.
Steps To Using Meta Tags Effectively:
1. Create A List Of Your Most Popular Products/Services
To start, create a list of the most popular products or services on your site. Then use those items as the basis for creating new meta tags for each one.
2. Test Different Combinations
Once you have created a list of meta tags, try adding more than one keyword per tag. If you're not sure which ones work well together, simply go with the ones that seem to generate the highest number of visits to your site.
3. Add More Tags As Needed
Continue testing different combinations until you find the combination that works best for your business.
4. Implement The Best Combination
When you've found the combination that works best, make sure to implement them across every page on your site.
5. Track Results
Finally, track the performance of the different combinations to see which ones perform the best. You may be surprised by the results!