Duplicate meta descriptions are meta descriptions which can be the identical for 2 or extra pages in your web site.
A meta description is an HTML tag that holds a brief abstract of a webpage’s content material. Serps like Google usually use them to generate descriptive snippets in search outcomes.
Let’s see what duplicate meta descriptions seem like in follow.
That is an instance of two pages on a single web site having the identical meta description.
However why are duplicate meta descriptions a problem?
Duplicate meta descriptions can have a destructive influence on the consumer expertise and click-through charges from search engine outcomes.
When two or extra pages have the identical meta descriptions, customers might not be capable to determine what sort of content material they will anticipate on every web page.
That may trigger confusion amongst your potential web site guests and trigger them to hunt solutions elsewhere—presumably in your rivals’ web sites which can be rating on the identical search engine outcomes pages (SERPs).
That may result in a decrease click-through charge, a dip in natural visitors, and probably hurt to your model’s repute.
Let’s discover find out how to simply discover and repair duplicate meta descriptions in 4 steps.
1. Discover Pages With Duplicate Meta Descriptions
You’ll be able to simply discover pages with duplicate meta descriptions with Semrush’s Website Audit device.
Let’s see the way it works.
Go to Website Audit.
In the event you’ve by no means used the device earlier than, take a look at these configuration directions to arrange your first undertaking.
As soon as your audit is full, return to Website Audit.
Click on on the “Points” tab.
You’ll see a listing of all points, warnings, and notices your web site has.
Sort “duplicate meta descriptions” within the search bar.
Click on on the “# pages” to see a listing of pages affected by this situation.
You’ll see a listing of all pages which have duplicate meta descriptions.
By clicking on the “# pages” subsequent to every URL, you’ll see which different URLs have the identical meta description because the one within the record.
2. Prioritize the Key Pages
In case your web site has a number of duplicate meta description points, it’s finest to repair the important thing points first.
The important thing pages to repair are people who have:
- Excessive enterprise significance: For instance, gross sales touchdown pages with excessive conversion charges and/or pages that just lately skilled a drop in visitors
- Excessive search visitors potential: For instance, pages meant to focus on key phrases with excessive search quantity which can be seeing a lot of impressions however comparatively few clicks in engines like google
Let’s see how you could find pages with excessive natural impressions and few clicks.
Go to Google Search Console.
Click on “Full report” within the “Efficiency” part.
Click on “Whole clicks” > “Whole impressions” > “Common CTR” to look at all three metrics without delay.
Scroll right down to the record and click on “Pages.”
Double-click “CTR” to see low-performing pages.
On high of the record, you’ll see pages with the bottom CTR and excessive variety of impressions.
These pages are exhibiting up in search outcomes usually. However customers are selecting to not click on on them.
By enhancing meta descriptions on these pages, you might be able to enhance the click-through charge and natural visitors.
3. Create Distinctive, Descriptive Meta Descriptions
For every web page you chose, write a singular meta description.
Let’s take a look at a few of the finest practices in terms of meta descriptions:
- Embrace the first goal key phrase. By doing that, you’ll let the reader and engines like google know what to anticipate in your web page.
- Reply the search intent. Reassure customers they’ll discover what they’re in search of in your web page. For instance, if somebody is in search of “find out how to type crocs,”you can begin your meta description with “discover ways to type crocs…”
- Be certain that it aligns with the content material on the web page. If one thing’s not on the web page, don’t point out it within the meta description, as that may result in disappointment and better bounce charges.
- Hold it quick. A meta description of 105 characters (680 pixels) will likely be seen on each desktop and cellular.
- Begin with the important thing data: This ensures that the key phrases seem even when a portion of the meta description will get lower off by Google.
Use meta description checker instruments (like To The Internet’s) to see what it’ll seem like if it seems within the SERPs.
Additional studying: How To not Write a Meta Description
4. Replace Meta Descriptions on Your Web site and Monitor Modifications
When you create new meta descriptions, replace them in your web site’s content material administration system (CMS).
After you do this, you possibly can re-run the Website Audit test to be sure you up to date the meta descriptions correctly.
Go to Website Audit.
Click on “Rerun marketing campaign.”
As soon as the audit is completed, click on “Points” and seek for “duplicate meta descriptions.”
The pages you up to date must be absent from the report.
If some pages you up to date nonetheless seem, double-check that you just did all the pieces appropriately.
How Do I Repair Duplicate Meta Descriptions?
Use a device like Website Audit to seek out pages with duplicate meta descriptions. Then, write distinctive, descriptive meta descriptions for every web page and replace them in your web site.
Can You Use the Identical Meta Description for A number of Pages?
You need to keep away from this follow. The identical meta descriptions for a number of pages can harm the efficiency of your web site in engines like google. Google advises that you just “create distinctive descriptions for every web page in your website.”
Can a Web page Have A number of Meta Descriptions?
A number of meta descriptions for a single web page can confuse engines like google. Which might have an effect on how they show your content material in SERPs.
Do Duplicate Meta Descriptions Have an effect on search engine optimisation?
Whereas meta descriptions will not be a direct Google rating issue, duplicate meta descriptions may cause points along with your natural click-through charge, which impacts your natural visitors. When two or extra pages have the identical meta descriptions, customers might not perceive how they’re completely different and should select to hunt solutions elsewhere.