Meta tags: maintain page information accurately and purposefully

The meta description describes a page’s content. Google may use it for the description of a search result, but may also choose another suitable excerpt from the page. A robots meta tag can contain instructions such as excluding a page from the index.

The page title also appears in the HTML head, technically within its own title element. It provides important source information for a search result’s title. Its actual display is likewise determined by the search engine. Titles and descriptions are therefore not permanently reserved advertising space.

A noindex instruction intended for drafts may remain on a public service page after a relaunch. Conversely, noindex does not protect confidential content from direct access. Technical access restriction is a separate task.

Also check for conflicting information produced by multiple SEO extensions. Maintained information should have a clearly responsible source. Avoid promises in the description that the page’s text does not fulfil. In the area of search engine optimisation this information is considered alongside content, internal links and technical accessibility. The visible presentation is explained in the article Understanding search results.