Proof that Google Uses META Descr. Tag

[Diddy1]

IF you've ever needed proof that google sometimes DOES use meta tag descriptions to describe a SERP check out my entry in the precharge projectnet seo contest. View source and check the META description and you'll see that it matches this SERP:



And this isn't a fluke it's been like this since yesterday and even now search "precharge projectnet" and look at the third entry and you'll see it for yourself.

Thank You

[Webfu]

Yeah Diddy -

Google uses the description field to display a page in its SERPS - But does it still help with SEO efforts ?

[Diddy1]

Originally Posted by Webfu

Yeah Diddy -

Google uses the description field to display a page in its SERPS - But does it still help with SEO efforts ?

To tell you the truth I have no idea. In the old days people used to use them to spam se, now I guess we have to figure out how they used the MEta description tag to get bettter SERPs.

Thank You

[Cricket]

This is not something new. Often, when descriptive text is not found on the page to fully match the actual query requested, Google uses the meta description on the results page, unless there is a dmoz description to use. This is no way indicates (and testing does not indicate it either) that Google uses the meta description to determine placement in the SERPS.

It is a mute point though. Since SOME search engines still use the meta description tag to some extent (however minor) then you are likely using the tag anyway, so it doesn't truly matter why.

[Webfu]

Yeah right again Cricket.

It is a fun subject to talk about though.

I think I'm starting to get too many kicks from using the top alt tag instead of a description tag. Don't know if anyone else is using this technique but it works great!

[Diddy1]

Originally Posted by Cricket

This is not something new. Often, when descriptive text is not found on the page to fully match the actual query requested, Google uses the meta description on the results page, unless there is a dmoz description to use. This is no way indicates (and testing does not indicate it either) that Google uses the meta description to determine placement in the SERPS.

It is a mute point though. Since SOME search engines still use the meta description tag to some extent (however minor) then you are likely using the tag anyway, so it doesn't truly matter why.

That's very weird considering the site is based on that keyword with a lot of other accompanying content. So how does that equal google not finding enough content to match the query?

Originally Posted by Webfu

Yeah right again Cricket.

It is a fun subject to talk about though.

I think I'm starting to get too many kicks from using the top alt tag instead of a description tag. Don't know if anyone else is using this technique but it works great!

Can you tell me this method about alt you are talking about?

Thank You

[Webfu]

This is one of my best examples that you can get away with not using meta description and still rank well in Google + get a nice clever page description using your alt tags.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...n&q=north+face

Look at the description of the website listed after thenorthface.com

-- Then view the source of the webpage.

See what I mean Diddy ?

[Sideways]

Ah so --- Very Clever!

[Diddy1]

I don't see it there is nothing in the source code that points or suggests: "Makers of expedition tents, packs, shoes, sleeping bags, and apparel." Am I just slow to get it or is there something I am missing?

Thank You

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Webfu

This is one of my best examples that you can get away with not using meta description and still rank well in Google + get a nice clever page description using your alt tags.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...n&q=north+face

Look at the description of the website listed after thenorthface.com

-- Then view the source of the webpage.

See what I mean Diddy ?

Google looks for the first content that fits the actual search query. In this case the alt attribute is first and most relevant to the search query requested. The actual placement of the page in the serps for a phrase with any amount of competitiveness at all though is going to take a whole lot more than adding a good alt attribute that should have been there for usability anyway.

[Sideways]

So you don't need to use alt tags to have a page description in Googles serps ?

[Cricket]

No, but you need to use alt attributes for usability and for your pages to validate.