Best use of page Meta Description?

[Tin]

So are you saying I should limit the size of my titles and descriptions by the number of pixels?

No, that's not what I said above, I simply stated that the available space Google currently provides for your title and meta description to show is limited by pixel number. What you do with your titles and meta descriptions is entirely down to you but I do go over Google's pixel limit if I think I need to.

I’m looking at one of my listing at the #1 spot and see two full lines for the title and three for the description.

Then I tend to think that the phrase you typed into Google was more of an 'informational search' rather than a keyword search. If Google believes the user intent is information based then it will tend to show much longer snippets of information in its results.

 

[Aleksander_Gramm]

and that's why meta descriptions are not fixed to any particular number of characters. Google's serp results content is limited by the number of pixels that they make available for each entry.

I totally agree.

 

[OliverH]

Keep it under 160 characters.

From an SEO perspective, you want to achieve a couple of things in the meta description:
1. Have synonyms of your target keywords and long tail variations. This'll get you rankings across a broader range of keywords.
2. Make it irresistible to click. This improves your CTR (click though rate). CTR is a ranking factor (i.e. better CTR = better rankings).

Which is more important? Lean towards optimising the CTR. Google knows your CTR, and if lots of people choose to click through to your website, you'll be duly rewarded with great rankings.

 

[Tin]

Which is more important? Lean towards optimising the CTR. Google knows your CTR, and if lots of people choose to click through to your website, you'll be duly rewarded with great rankings.

Optimising the CTR is more important. Google stopped the meta description having a direct bearing on rankings in 2009 but, click through rates do have a positive effect on rankings.

If you've got a badly worded meta description then you're not likely to get people clicking on you and no matter how hard you try to stuff keywords in it, it won't help rankings.

A well written meta description will get clicked and that will help rankings.

 

[EmployMe]

I use 140 characters on my website: short description of merchandise with 1 or 2 keywords. Listings have different meta. Try to be precise, create descriptions for people, not for google bot.

 

[kathrinalewis]

What is the recommended word count for page meta description? eg if adding a rental property on my site, do I put a very short summary like 2 bed for rent in Baker Street W1 or a more detailed description with one to two sentences with my business name added to the text?

Well I suggest you to keep your meta description under 160 characters

 

[Zono]

Thanks for all the info. What about the info on the page title? eg: if we selling cameras, how much info is put on the page title?
I am currently using this info
Brand, model, spec and website name?

 

[Aleksander_Gramm]

I recommend to use this Primary Keyword – Secondary Keyword | Brand Name
For example Camers - Digital cameras | OurCompany
How does it work?
The potential visitors search "cameras" or "digital cameras". The potential visitors see it in SERP. Click.
Of course it doesn't 100 %click rate, but usually this approach works well.

Also, you can use 55-60 characters or less (600 pixels).
Avoid duplicate meta title.

 

[monicajenner66]

Metadescription should between 170 to 300 character, if you want a good meta description, carefull insert your focus keyword a couple of time but make sure its relevant.