What Is a Meta Description? (And Why It Matters for Your Website)
When someone searches for something on Google and your website pops up, they’ll see two things first: your page title and a short snippet underneath it. That snippet? It’s called a meta description, and it plays a small but important role in your SEO.
So, what exactly is a meta description?
A meta description is a short summary (usually around 150–160 characters) that tells people what your web page is about. It's not visible on your actual website, but it's what shows up in search engine results under your page title.
For example, if you’ve written a blog post about how to choose a color palette for your brand, your meta description should give a clear, enticing idea of what the reader will find in the post.
Think of it like a little invitation to click.
Why meta descriptions matter
Technically, Google doesn’t guarantee it will use your meta description in search results but if it’s well written and relevant, it often will.
A strong meta description:
Tells people what to expect from your page
Encourages clicks (which can help your SEO over time)
Helps make your content more user-friendly and professional
How to write a good one
Keep it simple, clear, and human. Here’s how:
✅ Around 150–160 characters
✅ Include one or two keywords naturally
✅ Make it descriptive, not spammy
✅ Reflect what the page is actually about
✅ Give someone a reason to click
A quick example:
Page topic: How to Start a Newsletter
Meta description: Want to start a newsletter but not sure where to begin? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going, with tools and tips that work.
It’s clear, keyword-friendly, and invites action.
If you’re working on your SEO or updating your website pages and blog posts, meta descriptions are a great place to start. They’re small details but they can make a big difference in how your content is seen and understood online.
I’m Clare Ashbrook - an SEO strategist who helps wedding florists, creatives and small businesses get found online.
A well-planned SEO strategy means your website does the heavy lifting: attracting the right clients, generating more inquiries, and supporting long-term growth. At clareashbrook.com, I offer SEO setup, blog optimization, and ongoing support so your site is fully optimized and ready to work as hard as you do.
