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How long should your page meta description be before it gets truncated?
Optimal length Meta descriptions can be any length, but Google generally truncates snippets to ~155–160 characters. It’s best to keep meta descriptions long enough that they’re sufficiently descriptive, so we recommend descriptions between 50–160 characters.
How long should your meta description be?
between 120-150 characters
Character limits Put the most important text near the beginning of the description tag. Google does not set character limits for meta description length, but it does limit the number of characters displayed to users on the SERP. Best practice is to keep meta description length between 120-150 characters.
What happens if you write a short meta description?
Chances are that search engines will view short meta descriptions as lacking in substance and therefore quality. This can both potentially hurt your ability to have the page rank and most certainly have the description replaced with content of Google’s choosing.
Why do I have duplicate meta descriptions on my website?
Duplicate meta descriptions appearing on multiple website pages is commonly the result of website owner laziness or corner cutting. We all know duplicate content is a frowned upon by the search engines and this is likewise true when it comes to descriptions.
How often does Google use your meta description?
As noted above, Google may only use your meta description around 30% of the time. You will want to be sure both your meta description and the rest of your page content are optimized for the topical, intent-based keyword groups you are hoping to be found for.
Can a meta description not be used by search engines?
Yet there are ample instances, whether due to laziness or a lack of attention to detail, where they do not accurately reflect what’s on the page. In this case, not only will your meta description not be used by the search engine, it may also do harm to your chances of having your content properly indexed and ranked.