META Tags
By Queen Mason for Red Triangle Enterprises, Inc.
Copyright 1998, Red Triangle Enterprises, Inc.
META tags are contained within the HTML code on a web page - they are not visible when a web page is displayed on a browser (unless you know how to access them using the "view source" option).
META tags are like sets of instructions that tell search engines how a site is to be indexed. They provide a way for web site owners to choose how their web sites are categorized, and if used skillfully, they can greatly improve a page's positioning in search results in the search engines that use them.
There are two META tags you should know about for purposes of search engine positioning: (1) the META description tag, and (2) the META keyword tag. You should also know about the TITLE tag, another tag contained within the HTML code on a web page. (The TITLE tag may be different from the title appearing on the web page.)
The TITLE tag specifies the title under which a search engine will classify your site. You can boost your site's ranking in some search engines by changing the information in the TITLE tag. For instance, some search engines alphabetize search results. While it might not be appropriate to start the title of your web site with a letter closest to the front of the alphabet, you can do so in the TITLE tag.
The META description tag provides search engines with a description of your site. By inserting a META description tag, you control what goes into the description of your site.
The META keyword tag allows you to choose the keywords search engines will associate with your site. This can boost positioning, especially if you take a peek at the keywords appearing in your competitors' sites.
If you can manipulate the HTML code on your web pages, by all means insert META tags (they should be inserted between the header tags). If someone else designed your web page, ask him or her to insert META tags with the information you supply. Although not all search engines give weight to META tags, some of the major search engines do.
For more information about META tags, search engines, and directories, visit Red Triangle's Search Engine Secrets web site at http://www.red-triangle.com/searchengine.htm now, or write to: Red Triangle Enterprises, Inc., Dept. Search Engine Secrets, 39040 Hubbard St., Palmdale, CA 93551 USA.
