Comments on: Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/ Grow your business with TopRank Online Marketing tips, articles, & expert information on social media, content marketing & search engine marketing. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Pat Shaughnessy http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-178336 Pat Shaughnessy Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:22:23 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-178336 Great post! Also, don't forget 2 more meta tags that can make or break your seo efforts: The new “Unavailable After” META tag and The "ROBOTS" META tag thnks pat Great post!
Also, don’t forget 2 more meta tags that can make or break your seo efforts:

The new “Unavailable After” META tag
and
The “ROBOTS” META tag

thnks
pat

]]> By: Mike Mothner http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-173601 Mike Mothner Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:06:10 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-173601 I think this is an excellent question and one that certainly has many answers. Even though meta data is not trusted as much now as it once was, I still believe that optimization of meta-tags/title tags etc. undoubtedly helps search engines accurately categorize the site correctly, thereby making a site more "search engine friendly". This being the ultimate goal, I consider meta-tag optimization to be good SEO. As mentioned earlier, however, other meta data including title-tags and description-tags are often neglected, despite the fact that they too contribute to the accurate explanation of a web site's content and certainly affect rankings and click-thru rates. I think this is an excellent question and one that certainly has many answers. Even though meta data is not trusted as much now as it once was, I still believe that optimization of meta-tags/title tags etc. undoubtedly helps search engines accurately categorize the site correctly, thereby making a site more “search engine friendly”. This being the ultimate goal, I consider meta-tag optimization to be good SEO. As mentioned earlier, however, other meta data including title-tags and description-tags are often neglected, despite the fact that they too contribute to the accurate explanation of a web site’s content and certainly affect rankings and click-thru rates.

]]> By: Sharmistha http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-173382 Sharmistha Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:56:42 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-173382 Thanks Lee for such a hard-thought posts :)Like, as a content writer/editor, Meta Keywords are No No for me! I believe Meta Descriptions works in improving Search engine Rankings but Meta keywords are of absolute no use for now.Keyword Optimization is all about your talent on adding keywords in the content of the webpages. We have a very interesting post on "Are Meta tags still relevant to big search engines? But why are they still using it?" The Url is http://www.profitimo.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=-1&scope=posts&threadid=26 Would like to have the comments all who posted their commnts here! Thanks! Thanks Lee for such a hard-thought posts :) Like, as a content writer/editor, Meta Keywords are No No for me! I believe Meta Descriptions works in improving Search engine Rankings but Meta keywords are of absolute no use for now.Keyword Optimization is all about your talent on adding keywords in the content of the webpages. We have a very interesting post on “Are Meta tags still relevant to big search engines? But why are they still using it?” The Url is http://www.profitimo.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=-1&scope=posts&threadid=26

Would like to have the comments all who posted their commnts here! Thanks!

]]> By: This Week In SEO - 7/27/07 - TheVanBlog http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-171787 This Week In SEO - 7/27/07 - TheVanBlog Sat, 28 Jul 2007 01:08:55 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-171787 [...] Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? [...] [...] Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? [...]

]]> By: Janey Griffiths http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-171364 Janey Griffiths Fri, 27 Jul 2007 12:16:42 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-171364 Agreed, it certainly does no harm to have them in place. We service a large number of clients and see a significant drop in the serps on the sites who's tags get overwritten when design changes are made. I myself prefer to use them but use them in conjuction with other factors rather than base everything on them. Agreed, it certainly does no harm to have them in place. We service a large number of clients and see a significant drop in the serps on the sites who’s tags get overwritten when design changes are made. I myself prefer to use them but use them in conjuction with other factors rather than base everything on them.

]]> By: Ritchie Linao http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170305 Ritchie Linao Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:09:21 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170305 I also notice about meta tags, that how many keywords or description you type really does not matter. but what was important is the content of the page. I notice lots of website made to top 10 or top 1 even if they only have 10-15 keywords but contents of their pages are flooded with useful keywords that will make them top in the rank. I also notice about meta tags, that how many keywords or description you type really does not matter. but what was important is the content of the page. I notice lots of website made to top 10 or top 1 even if they only have 10-15 keywords but contents of their pages are flooded with useful keywords that will make them top in the rank.

]]> By: Brian http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170303 Brian Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:04:22 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170303 I think is becoming less and less important but i feel good title tag and description are still good practices to do and i believe still carry weight. The only way to determine this is to do research and test this. I agree with Michael that alot of SEOs will just say it has no effect at all without doing the necessary research to back up that conclusion. I think is becoming less and less important but i feel good title tag and description are still good practices to do and i believe still carry weight. The only way to determine this is to do research and test this. I agree with Michael that alot of SEOs will just say it has no effect at all without doing the necessary research to back up that conclusion.

]]> By: SEO Ranter http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170093 SEO Ranter Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:04:52 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170093 Matt Cutt's said that Google doesn't pay too much attention to meta tags, but with meta description being used as creative in search engine listings, it must still be critical. Matt Cutt’s said that Google doesn’t pay too much attention to meta tags, but with meta description being used as creative in search engine listings, it must still be critical.

]]> By: Nhu-Chi http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170016 Nhu-Chi Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:25 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-170016 Thanks for the article. Your examples and comparison makes a lot of sense. We do a great deal of meta tag optimization for our clients and we know exactly how much work and research is involved, especially sites with hundreds of pages. And like the previous post, I also believe that there is a middle ground. Writing a call to action title for every page is a bit excessive, may be good for the homepage but impossible to implement for a site with hundreds of pages. But, we make sure that there's always relevant tags on each page, as it is better than having nothing at all. Thanks for the article. Your examples and comparison makes a lot of sense. We do a great deal of meta tag optimization for our clients and we know exactly how much work and research is involved, especially sites with hundreds of pages. And like the previous post, I also believe that there is a middle ground. Writing a call to action title for every page is a bit excessive, may be good for the homepage but impossible to implement for a site with hundreds of pages. But, we make sure that there’s always relevant tags on each page, as it is better than having nothing at all.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169978 Stephanie Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:11:30 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169978 I think the big illusions people have with meta tags go between the two extremes. Either the meta tags are nothing or they're capable of amazing things for your on page optimization. I prefer a middle ground. They do some, and are worth adding, but not worth wasting too much time perfecting. I like to have the description be something I would want people to read since it can be used by the search engine. I think the big illusions people have with meta tags go between the two extremes. Either the meta tags are nothing or they’re capable of amazing things for your on page optimization.

I prefer a middle ground. They do some, and are worth adding, but not worth wasting too much time perfecting. I like to have the description be something I would want people to read since it can be used by the search engine.

]]> By: Eric Holter http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169916 Eric Holter Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:23:58 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169916 Thanks for the great post Lee. I totally agree that ignoring the title tag is by far the most commonly neglected opportunities for search engine optimization. We produced a video called "The Simple Secret to Search" about optimizing title tags and the "long tail" of search. It can be viewed off of our home page (www.newfangled.com) or linked/embedded to via YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4obmGdh7rA). Thanks again! Eric Holter CEO - Newfangled Web Factory www.newfangled.com Thanks for the great post Lee. I totally agree that ignoring the title tag is by far the most commonly neglected opportunities for search engine optimization.

We produced a video called “The Simple Secret to Search” about optimizing title tags and the “long tail” of search. It can be viewed off of our home page (www.newfangled.com) or linked/embedded to via YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4obmGdh7rA).

Thanks again!

Eric Holter
CEO – Newfangled Web Factory
http://www.newfangled.com

]]> By: Michael Martinez http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169887 Michael Martinez Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:29:51 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169887 Meta tags are one area where SEO opinions will vary in part because it doesn't really matter what people think. You can optimize with or without them. One myth is that the search engines don't look at meta tags any more. In fact, they all look at meta tags (and at least two major engines still use Keywords to help with scoring for relevance). The real test for the meta tags is to ask SEOs what, if any, effect they believe the tags have on search results. You can safely ignore anyone who says "none" as someone who doesn't bother to even do minimal testing. All you have to do is place a few meta tags with unique expressions on a page and see where you can find those expressions on the various search engines. Then the diversity in opinions will become less important. Meta tags are one area where SEO opinions will vary in part because it doesn’t really matter what people think. You can optimize with or without them. One myth is that the search engines don’t look at meta tags any more. In fact, they all look at meta tags (and at least two major engines still use Keywords to help with scoring for relevance).

The real test for the meta tags is to ask SEOs what, if any, effect they believe the tags have on search results. You can safely ignore anyone who says “none” as someone who doesn’t bother to even do minimal testing.

All you have to do is place a few meta tags with unique expressions on a page and see where you can find those expressions on the various search engines. Then the diversity in opinions will become less important.

]]> By: Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? » Online Marketing Blog » Matthew Dillingham - Internet Marketing Consultant - Houston, TX http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169862 Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? » Online Marketing Blog » Matthew Dillingham - Internet Marketing Consultant - Houston, TX Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:58:31 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169862 [...] Digg it Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? » Online Marketing Blog [...] [...] Digg it Meta Tag Optimization: Baloney or Good SEO? » Online Marketing Blog [...]

]]> By: Julie Kosbab http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169859 Julie Kosbab Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:40:48 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169859 My favorite 'type' is the one I like to refer to as the <i>Metatag Warrior</i>. Usually, these are people associated with the site who read a bit about SEO and decide that it's all about the meta-keywords tag: "You only gave me 36 keywords in the keywords tag! I want to show up for more than that!" Keeping in mind that in our environment, we write optimized and relevant title tags pre-release, these people are also those who, two weeks after launch, are asking if we can't 'change the title tags or something so we show up better.' I think metatags are important. I think the title serves as both an SEO element and as a conversion-oriented call-to-action on a SERP. But it's not a magic bullet. The people who 'read something' tend to think SEO is all just meta-tags, and don't see all the other components that make this a far more intricate and skilled practice. My favorite ‘type’ is the one I like to refer to as the Metatag Warrior.

Usually, these are people associated with the site who read a bit about SEO and decide that it’s all about the meta-keywords tag: “You only gave me 36 keywords in the keywords tag! I want to show up for more than that!”

Keeping in mind that in our environment, we write optimized and relevant title tags pre-release, these people are also those who, two weeks after launch, are asking if we can’t ‘change the title tags or something so we show up better.’

I think metatags are important. I think the title serves as both an SEO element and as a conversion-oriented call-to-action on a SERP. But it’s not a magic bullet. The people who ‘read something’ tend to think SEO is all just meta-tags, and don’t see all the other components that make this a far more intricate and skilled practice.

]]> By: Ulco http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169850 Ulco Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:20:01 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169850 All meta information can be useful. Titles for direct ranking purposes, descriptions to increase your CTR from the serps. Keywords to use in PPC campaigns etc. But do you really have to use all of them everytime? But yes, there's still al lot of misconception about it. There's a whole floor of programmers below me thinking that I stuff meta-keywords tags for clients all day :-) All meta information can be useful. Titles for direct ranking purposes, descriptions to increase your CTR from the serps. Keywords to use in PPC campaigns etc. But do you really have to use all of them everytime?

But yes, there’s still al lot of misconception about it. There’s a whole floor of programmers below me thinking that I stuff meta-keywords tags for clients all day :-)

]]> By: Keresőoptimalizálás, keresőmarketing blog http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169847 Keresőoptimalizálás, keresőmarketing blog Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:04:38 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/07/meta-tag-optimization/#comment-169847 I had the same misconseptions like you. In my country (Hungary) a lot of webdevelopers have made the same mistake. I don't know the reason. Maybe they just said: "I don't give a shit. I have been paid for building a site, not to optimize it." Optimization in Hungary is a quite new service, and a lot of homesite owner doesn't know a service like that is exsisting at all. I had the same misconseptions like you.
In my country (Hungary) a lot of webdevelopers have made the same mistake.
I don’t know the reason. Maybe they just said:
“I don’t give a shit. I have been paid for building a site, not to optimize it.”
Optimization in Hungary is a quite new service, and a lot of homesite owner doesn’t know a service like that is exsisting at all.

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