What a meta description is and how to write one

In short

A meta description is a short page summary (about 150-160 characters) that Google shows under the title in search results. It does not affect rankings directly, but it decides whether someone clicks your site or the one next to it.

Why it matters

Picture a Google results page as a shelf of books. The title is the name, the description is the blurb on the back. People read it in a second and decide whether to open it. A good description lifts your click rate even when you are not in first place.

How to write a good one

Say plainly what the page gives the reader, and add a reason to click. Fit the important part into the first 150 characters - Google trims the rest. Do not reuse the same description across pages: each one should describe its own page.

Common mistakes

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FAQ

Does the description affect rankings?
Not directly. But it affects click rate, which indirectly affects rankings: pages people click more often tend to rise over time.
What length is best?
Aim for 150-160 characters. The free SEO Nerve audit checks the length and whether a description exists on your page.