Meta Descriptions: The Complete SEO Guide (2026)

What Is a Meta Description?

A meta description is the snippet that appears below your title in search results. While Google says it doesn't directly affect rankings, it heavily influences click-through rate (CTR)—which does.

The Perfect Meta Description Formula

Length: 150-160 Characters

Google typically displays 150-160 characters. Any longer gets cut off.

Structure

1. Hook (first 50 chars): Grab attention

2. Value proposition (next 60 chars): What they'll learn

3. Call to action (final 50 chars): Why click now

Example

"Learn the exact formula for blog titles that get 10x more clicks. Includes templates, examples, and a free AI tool. Start writing better headlines today."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Just describing what the page is about

❌ Keyword stuffing

❌ Being too generic

❌ No call to action

❌ Duplicate descriptions across pages

Best Practices

✅ Include your primary keyword naturally

✅ Use active voice

✅ Create urgency when appropriate

✅ Match the search intent

✅ Make each description unique

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