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There are dozens of meta tags that can be used on each and every one of your web pages. However, not all of these meta tags should be used. Some that once had value are now defunct, others are only useful in specialized situations, and a precious few are very helpful on every page. But which ones are which?
Meta that’s SEO Gold
Google has stated that your meta description and title are important. They have never beat around the bush with it. In fact, Google comes right out and says it in its guide for webmasters. However, they makes some important clarifications here. While Google does look at your title and meta information for relevance, they care most that these things are readable and accurate.
You should absolutely side with Google on this one. While using keywords in your description and title are a good thing, you don’t want to make your title and description a grocery list of key phrases. Instead, write compelling content that accurately describes your site, ensuring that, if you do rank well, your meta will garner the qualified visitors that you want to your site.
Meta that’s Great (Sometimes)
There is certain meta information that is useful in specific situations. Meta robots, for example, is a great way to tell the search engines NOT to index a page. However, if you do want the page indexed, no meta is necessary. The search robots will assume you want them there unless you tell them otherwise, so silence is just as effective.
Meta copyright and meta author tags can also be useful if you’re eager to specify who wrote the content and remind people that you have a copyright on it. However, they aren’t strictly necessary, since implied intellectual property laws provide equal protection for your content.
Meta that’s Outdated
Meta keywords, once one of the great sources of SEO joy, are now dead and gone. Why, you may ask? Well, there were some girls and boys who didn’t play nice, stuffing their meta keywords with inaccurate or manipulative information. They ruined it for all of us.
