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How to Analyse Website Metatags for Better SEO

Graham keywordnumbersJuly 15, 20266 min read
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How to Analyse Website Metatags for Better SEO

If you’ve ever wondered what meta tags are and how they influence your website’s SEO, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn how to check, analyse and optimise meta tags on any website, with practical tips and free tools. We’ll also clear up common confusions around meta tags, meta descriptions, and meta ads.

What Are Meta Tags on a Website?

Meta tags are snippets of code within a site's HTML that provide information about a web page to search engines and browsers. They don’t appear on the visible page but are crucial for SEO and social sharing. The most common meta tags include:

  • Meta Title: The title that appears in search results and browser tabs.
  • Meta Description: A brief summary of the page content, often displayed in search results.
  • Meta Robots: Tells search engines whether to index or follow a page.
  • Meta Keywords (largely obsolete for SEO, but sometimes still used).
    • Meta TagPurpose
    TitleSearch listing headline & browser tab name
    DescriptionSearch listing snippet, social preview
    RobotsIndexing & crawling instructions for search engines

    Why Meta Tags Matter for SEO

    Meta tags help search engines understand what each page on your website is about. A well-crafted meta title and description can:

  • Improve your search rankings (especially the title tag).
  • Increase your click-through rate from search results.
  • Enhance sharing on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

    • They’re also important for accessibility and user experience, providing more context to both users and search engines.

    How to Check Meta Tags on a Website

    Checking meta tags is straightforward. Here are the main methods:

    1. Manual Method (Using Browser Tools)

  • Go to the web page you want to analyse.
  • Right-click and select "View Page Source" or press Ctrl+U (Windows) or Cmd+Option+U (Mac).
  • In the source code, look for tags within the section.

    • For example:

    `html

    Sample Page Title

    `

    2. Using Free Online Tools

    There are free tools that instantly extract and display a page’s meta tags. Try the Metatag Checker on KeywordNumbers.com — simply enter your URL to see all detected meta tags, titles, and descriptions.

    3. Browser Extensions

    SEO browser extensions like MozBar, SEOquake, or Detailed provide meta tag information at a glance while you browse.

    How to Analyse Website Meta Tags

    When analysing your meta tags, consider the following:

  • Title Tag: Is it under 60 characters? Does it include your main keyword and make sense to a human reader?
  • Meta Description: Is it between 140-160 characters? Does it summarise the page and include a call to action?
  • Robots Tag: Set to “index, follow” unless you want to block search engines.
  • Uniqueness: Every page should have unique meta titles and descriptions.
  • Worked Example:*

    • Suppose you’re optimising a page about “Best Running Shoes”.

  • Meta Title: Best Running Shoes 2024 | Top Trainers Reviewed
  • 45 characters (well under 60)
  • Meta Description: Discover the best running shoes for every type of runner. Compare top-rated trainers (UK sizes 6-12 / US sizes 7-13) with our expert reviews and buying guide.
  • 151 characters (in the ideal range)

    • Notice the clear summary, the inclusion of both UK and US sizes (metric and imperial), and a call to action.

    How to Add or Edit Meta Tags

    Adding meta tags depends on your website setup:

  • WordPress: Use SEO plugins like Yoast or Rank Math to add/edit titles and descriptions easily.
  • Static HTML: Edit the section of your HTML files directly.
  • Shopify/Wix/Squarespace: Use their built-in SEO settings for each page or product.
  • Tip:* Always double-check your changes with a meta tag checker tool after publishing.

    • Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Duplicate meta tags across multiple pages.
  • Missing meta descriptions — search engines may generate unhelpful snippets.
  • Overly long titles or descriptions — they’ll be truncated in search results.
  • Keyword stuffing — keep it natural and helpful.

    • Questions People Are Actually Asking

    What are meta tags on a website?

    Meta tags are snippets of HTML code in a page’s section that provide information to search engines and browsers, such as the page’s title, description, and indexing instructions.

    How to check meta tags on a website?

    You can check meta tags by viewing a page’s source code or by using free online tools like the Metatag Checker on KeywordNumbers.com, which displays all meta tags for any URL.

    How to do meta tags?

    Meta tags are added within the section of your HTML. For example:

    `html

    `

    Alternatively, use your CMS or an SEO plugin to set them without editing code.

    How to add meta tags to website?

    On platforms like WordPress, use an SEO plugin to add meta tags easily. For static sites, manually insert the relevant tags in the HTML file’s section. Always check your changes with a tool.

    What do meta tags do?

    Meta tags help search engines understand your content, influence how your site appears in search results, and can affect click-through rates. They can also control indexing and how your content is shared on social platforms.

    What is a meta description tag?

    A meta description tag is a summary of a web page’s content, placed in the HTML’s . It often appears as the snippet in search engine results, encouraging users to click through.

    How much do meta ads cost? (And related questions)

    "Meta ads" typically refers to advertising on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram). Costs vary widely depending on targeting, placement, and competition — there’s no fixed price. For SEO meta tags, there’s no cost apart from your time.

    Conclusion

    Meta tags are a foundational part of SEO that you can’t afford to overlook. Checking and optimising your meta titles and descriptions can boost your visibility and attract more clicks from search engines. For a quick and free analysis of your site’s meta tags, head over to the Metatag Checker on KeywordNumbers.com and see how your pages measure up.

    Free tools to put this into practice

    Reading is one thing — testing your own pages is what moves the needle. Here are the free KeywordNumbers tools that pair best with this guide:

  • Meta Tag Analyser — audit every meta tag on a page in one click.
  • Title Tag Analyzer — score your page title and see how it looks in Google.
  • SERP Preview — preview exactly how your page will appear in search results before you publish.

    • Every one of our free SEO tools is genuinely free to use, with no sign-up required.

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