Meta Tags Keywords and Description – Should I Use Them?

Meta Tags – Old School

Recently, I was lectured by an old school SEO expert on the subject of using meta tags. He insisted on the importance of the use of meta tag keywords for search engine optimization.

However, every article I have read, every discussion I have had with other experts and every test I have done in my custon SEO practice shows that meta tag keywords are simply not relevant anymore, at least for Google. The optimization tools that I use also confirm the same results.

Are Meta Tags Irrelevant?

When it comes to meta tags, it is important to use the Meta Tag Description. A Meta Tag Description is used by Google to display information about your web page. Be sure to place your keywords strategically in the description and in the order of importance to you.

A Meta Tag Description should read like a phrase, since that is what people read on a Google search result. It is one of the most important selling phrases that will invite a prospect to click on your link. So spend some time crafting it correctly.

For those who still insist on using meta tag keywords, I recommend the following:

1. Use proper ethical keyword techniques (white hat). For example, even though search engine robots might ignore keyword stuffing, a human review might believe that you are spamming.
2. Use only keywords that are in the content of your web page, since some search engines will penalize you for using keywords that are not contained in the page.