What Is a Meta Description?
Meta descriptions summarize your page in search results. Learn how to write them well.
Published 2026-02-01
Short answer
A meta description is a short summary of a page shown under the title in search results. It does not directly affect rankings but strongly influences click-through rate.
Ideal length
Aim for 150–160 characters. Google dynamically sizes descriptions, so longer ones may be truncated.
How to write one
Summarize what the page offers, include your keyword naturally, and end with a benefit or call to action. Make each page's description unique.
Using a generator
A meta description generator produces several options quickly; refine the best one for your tone and audience.