The official word from Google on meta tags

**wayfarer07** · 01:38 PM

This subject seems to come up a lot, even though most people realize that Google does not use the meta keywords tag, though there is a limited usage for the meta description tag. Just to lay these subjects to rest, here is the official word from Google on these tags and their usage in rankings and results:

The Official Word From Google on Meta Tags

**Mrbuckley916** · 12-13-2009, 06:40 AM

Wow, I think Google played a naughty trick on me and hurt my feelings.I feel sheepish, I have been misled for so long! LOL OHH NO...........

**MrFlicks** · 06:06 PM

Well I know back in September Matt Cutts announced Google do not use the keyword meta tag but another 2 Google engineers make conflicting statements elsewhere

Quote

From John Mueller

You're right in that we generally ignore the contents of the "keywords" meta tag. As with other possible meta tags, feel free to place it on your pages if you can use it for other purposes - it won't count against you.

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogsp...meta-tags.html

unquote

Obviously out of date, but there is another quote (I can't find the thing presently) by another Google engineer that says although in most cases Google when they originally made this change some years back, don't use the meta keyword tag, there are times when it can be used.

I forget presently which Google engineer said words along these lines but if I find it I will post a link.

Also out of date, since Matt Cutts Sept 09 announcement, but any how Google may be the number 1 SE, but it is not the only one and I have read Yahoo info (from Yahoo) that seems to imply they are still using the tag, as wll as other SE's to!

**FenceGuy** · 12-15-2009, 04:06 PM

I still use them, it only takes a few seconds with my SEO plugin on wordpress (keyword tags) because I also have been told that other SE's may use them (doesn't make it true, but if it doesn't hurt my rankings I don't see a problem with it.

On another note, Google DOES use meta descriptions. I have seen my site in the SERP's on Google with the meta description under the page title instead of an excerpt from the page.

**chrishirst** · 12-15-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Google DOES use meta descriptions. I have seen my site in the SERP's on Google with the meta description under the page title instead of an excerpt from the page.

Only if the meta description actually contains the search phrase that the page is being shown for.

**FenceGuy** · 12-15-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Only if the meta description actually contains the search phrase that the page is being shown for.

So using a well written description with search terms that describe that page is a good idea. I do it for all my pages (or I try to remember to do it).

**JohnnyLaw** · 12-16-2009, 01:33 AM

This doesn't mean you should abandon them completely. Other engines still may use them. So do directories.

**alex_cristo** · 12-17-2009, 07:41 AM

Exactly, its well known that google does not consider meta tags for rankings or indexing but that meta tags help google to know about the site. Also meta description appears in search results most of the time if google find its more accurate for your web page or you have your main keywords in your description.

**sexypinoydotnet** · 12-19-2009, 02:54 AM

I never know about this before. Thanks for the info. But i think there is other meta tags that google use in web ranking.

**ContentSpooling** · 12-20-2009, 09:24 PM

Google is intelligent. They don't use meta keywords to rank a site which is right because other webmasters will copy the keywords from a site that ranks high even if it's not targeted to their site.

**tmselbor** · 12-22-2009, 03:40 AM

i read about that too, but i guess there will a lot of changes regarding the implication of meta-tags on Google Caffeine. meta-tags are important but content is still the king.

**xela1966** · 12-23-2009, 06:36 PM

It is clear now after to see this video that google don' care about meta tags. I still use them as I feal that my site is seted as a proper site.
With a proper <head> and <Body>, for the other end it's frustating to see the google page code.

**MrFlicks** · 12-24-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xela1966

It is clear now after to see this video that google don' care about meta tags. I still use them as I feal that my site is seted as a proper site.
With a proper <head> and <Body>, for the other end it's frustating to see the google page code.

Is it really?

**francis84** · 12-28-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Only if the meta description actually contains the search phrase that the page is being shown for.

Yeah, and most of the time, if not all the time, meta description of a specific has some of the main keywords for the given webpage.

**crazyblogger** · 01-13-2010, 04:50 AM

Meta tags are useless and every SEO expert is telling that. I think using meta tags will just give an edge to those black hat SEO people who want to bring your site down in SERP. I don't recommend the use of meta tags if you site lands on top 10 in search result page.

**wayfarer07** · 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyblogger

I think using meta tags will just give an edge to those black hat SEO people who want to bring your site down in SERP

based on what? You mean spying on another site's keywords? Since when is that "black hat"?

**webhostsea.com** · 01-25-2010, 05:08 AM

Though google ignore meta keywords. It focus the key search words on content of pages. Google always rank the sites which are written for users not for search engines.

**wayfarer07** · 01-25-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webhostsea.com

Google always rank the sites which are written for users not for search engines.

Well, not always, but that is certainly their intent.

**princess06** · 01-26-2010, 09:20 AM

hi, thanks for sharing.. now i learned some few tips

**dinhtv197** · 01-27-2010, 09:39 PM

Can not use google meta tag, but I still to it, which is a general introduction to the site, I wonder penalty ever doing so.

Furthermore I always use the keywords for the article, it sure will feature articles on.