---
title: "Meta description"
description: "The meta description is the page summary shown in search results. Learn its optimal length, impact on CTR and how to write effective meta descriptions."
url: "https://nodea.io/en/glossary/meta-description"
lang: "en"
updated: "2026-07-13"
---

# Meta description

> The meta description is an HTML tag holding a short summary of a page, which search engines often display beneath the title in search results. It is not a ranking factor but influences click-through rate.

The **meta description** tag is an HTML element placed in a page's *\<head\>* that holds a concise summary of its content. Search engines, including Google, often use this text as the description shown beneath the title in search results, forming a snippet together with it. The meta description therefore acts as an advertising teaser that encourages users to visit the page.

## How the meta description works

The description text is written in the tag's *content* attribute. The optimal length is around 140–160 characters — longer text gets truncated by the search engine. Google does not always display the description you set: if it decides that a fragment of the page's content better matches the user's query, it will generate the snippet automatically. That is why the meta description is a suggestion rather than a guarantee. Importantly, the description is **not a direct ranking factor** — it does not raise positions, but it affects [CTR](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/click-through-rate), the share of people who click the result.

## Practical application

An effective meta description is unique for each page, contains the main keyword (which the search engine bolds in the [SERP](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/serp) when it matches the query) and communicates a clear benefit or call to action. For stores it is worth including information about delivery or offers; for articles, a promise of value.

Meta descriptions are created as part of [on-page optimization](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/on-page-seo), alongside the [title tag](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/title-tag). In CMS platforms like WordPress, descriptions are usually set through SEO plugins. Duplicating descriptions across pages or leaving them empty are common mistakes — Google then generates its own snippet that the author cannot control. A well-crafted snippet can noticeably increase traffic even without any change in ranking.

### What is the optimal length for a meta description?

Around 140–160 characters is usually recommended. Google displays the description until it runs out of space (in practice about 155–160 characters on desktop, less on mobile) and truncates the rest. Too long a description gets cut off, while too short a one wastes the chance to entice a click. Put the most important information and keyword near the start.

### Does the meta description affect Google rankings?

Not directly — Google officially does not treat the meta description as a ranking factor. It has an indirect effect, though: a well-written description raises the click-through rate (CTR), and more clicks plus better intent match can translate into better visibility.

## Related

- [Title tag](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/title-tag)
- [SERP](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/serp)
- [CTR (click-through rate)](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/click-through-rate)
- [On-page SEO](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/on-page-seo)
- [Featured snippets](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/featured-snippets)

---

Languages: [pl](https://nodea.pl/pl/slownik-pojec/meta-tag-description.md)  
Site index: [llms.txt](https://nodea.io/en/llms.txt)