The Difference of Metadata vs Meta Description
" Metadata" refers to information about data, while a "meta description" specifically refers to a snippet of text that describes the contents of a web page. The meta description is one type of metadata that can appear in the head section of an HTML document, and it provides a concise summary of what the page is about. This information is usually displayed in search engine results and can influence a user's decision to click on a result or not.
Metadata:
Metadata refers to data that provides information about other data. Here are some examples of metadata:
- Document metadata: This can include information such as the title, author, date created, and keywords associated with a document.
- Image metadata: This can include information such as the camera used to take the photo, the date and time the photo was taken, and image dimensions.
- Music metadata: This can include information such as the artist, album, and genre associated with a song.
Meta Description:
A meta description is a specific type of metadata that provides a brief summary of the content of a web page. The meta description appears in the HTML code of a web page, and it's displayed in search engine results to provide users with a brief overview of what the page is about. Here's an example of a meta description:
<meta name="description" content="This page provides a comprehensive guide to hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Learn about the best trails, what to pack, and how to stay safe on your next adventure.">
In this example, the meta description provides a brief summary of the contents of the web page, which is a guide to hiking in the Rocky Mountains. The meta description can help attract users to the page by giving them a clear idea of what they'll find when they click on the search result.