meta tags

search engines

[shopgal]

Are meta tages and description still used by major search engines?

[Oaf357]

Last I checked everyone is still on the fence about this issue.

I maintain conservative META tags on my site just for the hell of it. If you don't abuse them then it never hurts to have them just in case an SE decides to start using them again.

[Palehorse]

I agree. Meta tags are so small code bloat is not an issue. Keep a conservative set so you don't get penalized though.

[Marcia]

Keep them restricted to just what's on the particular page.

For the keywords meta tag include just the main phrases for the page without excessive repetition. It's of doubtful value with most, but still worth putting in if only to narrow focus for the page.

For the meta description tag, about 25-30 words or less is OK. Some of the engines use it as the description that shows, so make it something that's inviting to click on.

[xbase234]

I'm seeing a a resurgence of meta descriptions showing up in Google SERP's, for my sites that have totally unique descritpions on every page.

In my experience - yes, meta tags are working.

[Oaf357]

Yea... I'm trying to get very unique with my descriptions these days.