The Truth about Meta Tags

After the flurry of response from readers and SEOs alike, I emailed several experts for some definitive answers concerning meta tags.

Here's my question: "Some experts claim meta tags still work, some claim that they're dead. What's the truth about meta tags?"

And here are the answers:

Garrett:

The short answer is:

I think it's still smart to use meta tags despite what some "experts" say because every little bit helps. I recently checked with AltaVista, AllTheWeb, Google, Inktomi, and Lycos about meta tags:

I would like to suggest a much more comprehensive tag generator than the one in your article. This free meta tag generator from DragonFly Marketing generates robot tags and a whole lot more. And its free to use, and free to put on your own site for your visitors to use. Best Wishes, Steve Warriner DragonFlyMarketing For those who wrote in requesting more information on optimizing frame-based sites for search engines, check out "How to Optimize a Framed Site for High Rankings." Thanks for your requests! Garrett Submit a Tip Submit an Article Submit a Question

· AltaVista said developing proper meta tags is important, and that it uses title and description tags in its ranking algorithm. (Recently AV stopped using keywords tag.)

· FAST, which powers AllTheWeb and Lycos, said it looks for meta descriptions, and if none are found it examines the first 250 characters on the page.

· Google uses the information in title, description and keywords meta tags, although these are not a major ranking factor.

· Inktomi prioritizes meta tags when generating page rankings, using both the meta description and meta keywords tag. It uses the first 200 characters of the meta description to generate page summaries for its results.

There are three good reasons why it's still smart to create proper meta tags:

· Boost Your Rankings: Many search spiders still read meta tags to gather the data from your pages. Well written, relevant meta tags will boost your rankings in search engines like Alta Vista, Google, Lycos, AllTheWeb, and Inktomi-powered sites.

· Drive Traffic to Your Site: Most search engines and directories will use your title tag as the title link and your description tag as the site description displayed in their search results. When the copy in these tags contains strategic keywords in a compelling, relevant message, users will click to your site.

· Create Free Branding: Research by NPD Group shows that search engine listings provide better branding than banner ads. For this reason alone, it pays to create killer copy for your title and description tags.

Best regards,

Paul J. Bruemmer, CEO
Web Ignite Corporation

FREE TRIAL! Achieve A Top 10 Search Position - No other search engine marketing product is more favorably reviewed by the press or its customers.

The top 2 reasons to keep using Keyword Meta Tags:
1) If one search engine stops using them but other key players continue, itwould still mean potential lost sales or viewers and lower page rankings ifyou were decide to neglect or eliminate your keyword meta tag. It'sgenerally better to have something than nothing.

2) Key word meta tags help you remain focused and organized as to what keywords you areoptimizing the page for. It gives you a simple list to reference whileyou're adding in the appropriate alt tags to images or revising a bit oftext.

Hilary Baumann
Advertising, Branding, Graphic & Web Design
http://www.fascinationdesign.com

For those who wrote in requesting more information on optimizing frame-based sites for search engines, check out "How to Optimize a Framed Site for High Rankings."

Thanks for your requests!

Garrett

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Do you still have questions about meta tags? Send them in! Are you tired of reading about meta tags? Tell me what you really want to read about!

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Finding the Right SEM Contractor By Paul J. Bruemmer Contributing Writer

There is much to learn about making an informed decision when it comes to selecting a search engine marketing (SEM) contractor. As in most industries, some are reputable and some are flaky.

An important consideration is the definition of the services themselves, so you know what you're getting for the money. Other factors include pricing, vendor experience and proficiency, customer service, and vendor contracting and reporting practices. Below is a description of issues to consider before making a selection.

SEM Services
Services can be categorized into four areas: site analysis and optimization, manual submission, offsite development, and monthly reporting.

1. Site Analysis and Optimization
·Category and keyword research. Development of strategic keyword phrases, beginning with client suggestions and requiring further research and analysis. The number of terms will be proportional to the campaign cost. Tweaking of keyword phrases should be included.

·Homepage optimization. Specific HTML optimization of your homepage and subpages (title, description, keyword meta-tags, etc.) and general site suggestions (navigation, subpage guidelines, site map, etc.).

·Content review. Ensures that your strategic keywords are reflected throughout well-written site content. Includes a review of content quality and placement with suggestions for improvement.

·Directory compliance. Directories like Yahoo!, LookSmart, and ODP (Open Directory Project) have specific guidelines for good placement. Ensures strategic category selection and site compliance, suggesting necessary changes.

For the full article click here.

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How to Optimize a Framed Site for High Rankings
Frames and search engines can coexist - you just have to be sure to set up the files correctly. This article by Jill Whalen will show you exactly what you need to do. She'll also show you how to keep from making a very common mistake made by the doomed legions of sites listed under "does not support frames" in many search engines.

For the full article Click Here

AT-WORK Internet Users Biggest Online Spenders
So, who's spending the most online? That's right, it's your employees! Web users also spend more time viewing online media at work than they spend watching TV at home. The peak time for online shopping is 1pm EST.

For the full article Click Here

My Greatest-Hits List
An insider's take on what allowed Bill Gates, Charles Lazarus, Olin King, and Sam Walton to succeed.

What makes them great? These four brief biographies bring a business writer's 20 years of experience and insight to the question we're always asking: how did they do it?

For the full article Click Here

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