Introduction
When someone searches for something on Google, what’s the first thing they see?
👉 The title and the description of your page.
These are called the meta title and meta description, and they’re extremely important for On-Page SEO. A good meta title and description can:
Help your page rank higher in search results
Encourage users to click your link
Improve your website’s CTR (Click-Through Rate)
In this article, we’ll explain what they are, why they matter, and how to write perfect ones for SEO.
What is a Meta Title?
The meta title (also known as the SEO title or title tag) is the title that appears:
In search engine results
At the top of your browser tab
In social media previews
Example:
What is a Meta Description?
The meta description is a short summary of the page content that appears below the title in search results.
Example:
Why Meta Titles & Descriptions Matter
✅ 1. They Help Search Engines Understand Your Content
Titles and descriptions tell Google what your page is about.
✅ 2. They Influence Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Well-written metadata attracts users and increases your organic traffic.
✅ 3. They Improve Relevancy and Ranking
If your title and description match the user’s search intent, Google will rank your page higher.
Best Practices for Writing Meta Titles
✅ 1. Keep It Under 60 Characters
Google cuts off longer titles. Stay short and clear.
✅ 2. Use Target Keywords
Include your main keyword naturally in the title — preferably at the beginning.
✅ 3. Be Unique for Every Page
Don’t reuse the same title on multiple pages.
✅ 4. Make It Click-Worthy
Add value, urgency, or curiosity — for example:
“Best URL Shortener for 2025 – Free & Fast”
“Learn On-Page SEO in 10 Minutes”
Best Practices for Writing Meta Descriptions
✅ 1. Keep It Between 150–160 Characters
Google typically shows up to 160 characters.
✅ 2. Include Target Keywords
Helps with both SEO and relevance to the user's query.
✅ 3. Summarize Page Content
Give a clear reason why the user should click your result.
✅ 4. Use a Call-to-Action (CTA)
Encourage users to take action, like:
“Learn more today”
“Try it for free”
“Boost your SEO now”
Examples of Good Meta Titles & Descriptions
Title:
Free Online URL Shortener Tool for 2025 | URLShortly
Description:
Shorten, manage, and track your URLs in one place. Try our free, fast, and reliable URL shortener — perfect for businesses and creators.
Tools to Help You Write Meta Titles & Descriptions
Yoast SEO Plugin (WordPress)
Rank Math SEO Plugin
Ubersuggest
SERPsim.com – To preview how your title and description will appear
Ahrefs / SEMrush – For keyword ideas and competitors’ metadata
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Stuffing too many keywords
🚫 Writing generic descriptions (like "Welcome to our website")
🚫 Duplicating titles/descriptions across pages
🚫 Making them too long or too short
🚫 Forgetting to write them (Google will auto-generate!)
How to Check & Edit Meta Tags
If you use WordPress:
Use Yoast SEO or Rank Math to edit titles and descriptions for each post/page easily.
If you code manually:
Conclusion
Meta titles and descriptions are small but mighty elements in the world of SEO. They’re often your first impression in search results.
A strong, optimized meta title and description can make the difference between someone clicking your link or skipping it.
Take the time to craft them properly for every page — especially if you're building out content for a niche site like urlshortly.com.