Key Differences Between Meta Description Vs Meta Keywords

If you’re working on your SEO strategy, you must have heard the terms meta description and meta keyword plenty of times. This is because these two elements play a significant role in boosting your SEO. And while they have similar functions, there are some key differences between meta description vs meta keywords.

This article will explore what differentiates these two on-page SEO elements. We will also look at them individually and how they can impact your page.

Let’s clear the confusion between these two terms once and for all.

What is a Meta Description?

A meta description is a brief statement, typically between 150 to 160 characters long, describing a web page’s content. It often appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) below the page’s title.

This short snippet of text helps both users and search engines determine whether your content is relevant to specific queries. They can also act as persuasive advertisements for users visiting your site.

Here are some quick tips for writing a compelling meta description:

• Make sure your meta description reflects the page’s content and is accurate for what readers will find.
• Be clear and concise so users can easily understand the value of your page.
• Include a clear call to action to draw readers in and make them want to click through. 
• Optimize your description with the help of relevant keywords.
• Don’t make it sound too promotional. Use a conversational or professional tone to describe the page content.

Now let’s look at what a meta keyword is.

What is a Meta Keyword?

A meta keyword is an HTML or tag containing information about a webpage’s content, including relevant keywords. This is not displayed on search results but can be found on the site’s HTML code.

Meta keywords help search engines determine the page’s content and rank it higher in their search results. They are especially useful when creating new pages or changing existing ones.

Here are some quick tips for writing an effective meta keyword tag:

• Avoid using misspelled words or typos intentionally in your meta tags. 
• Use relevant and specific keywords that accurately reflect the content of your website. 
• Keep your meta keywords updated to reflect changes in your page’s content. 
• Use keyword phrases instead of single words to capture a more specific audience. 
• Keep the number of keywords limited to avoid being flagged as spammy by search engines. 

Meta Description Vs Meta Keywords: What’s the Difference?

While meta descriptions and meta keywords share the same goal of increasing page visibility, a few things differentiate them. Here’s a look at their key differences.

• The length of meta descriptions is limited to 150-160. characters, while meta keywords have no set character limit. 
• Meta Descriptions can be visible on search results. Meta keywords, on the other hand, are found on the HTML source code of a website. They are not visible to visitors. 
• Meta descriptions can help both users and search engines determine the value and relevance of your page. Meta keywords work behind the scenes, helping search engine bots crawl and choose how to categorize the content on your site.

Benefits of Optimizing Meta Descriptions and Meta Keywords

Optimizing meta descriptions and meta keywords can significantly contribute to a successful SEO strategy. Here are some of the ways it can benefit your site:

Increased Visibility

Optimizing meta descriptions and keywords increases the visibility of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more people are likely to discover your website, leading to increased web traffic and potential conversions.

Improved User Experience

Meta descriptions help provide users with relevant information about what can be found on a particular page before they click through.

By optimizing the meta description, you can give an accurate account of what is offered on the page, thus providing a better user experience.

Higher Quality Traffic

Meta descriptions and keywords not only help you draw in more visitors, but they also assist in drawing in more high-quality visitors.

By targeting relevant phrases and terms associated with your topic, you can attract those interested in a particular subject or industry. And this increases the likelihood of converting viewers into customers.

Final Words

There are some differences between a meta description vs meta keywords. But it’s clear that these two elements play an essential role in your SEO strategy.

They can help ensure your website is seen by its intended audience. And they can also give search engine bots ample data for accurate indexing.