Meta description
A meta description is the short summary that appears under a page's title in search results. It is your one-line pitch to convince a searcher to click.
Also known as:
Meta tag description, SERP snippet
What is meta description?
A meta description is a snippet of HTML, usually 150 to 160 characters long, that summarizes the page for search engines and social platforms. Search engines often display it in their results, just under the page title and URL, where it works as a short ad for the page. Google does not always honor your meta description, sometimes generating its own from page content, but a strong, accurate one increases the odds yours is shown.
Generic: Learn more about our pricing plans and features.
Specific: Compare Brivvy's three pricing tiers, see what is included in each, and find the right plan for your team in under 60 seconds.
Length cap: Aim for 150 to 160 characters, since longer text is truncated mid-sentence in most SERPs.
Why does meta description matter?
Meta descriptions do not directly affect rankings, but they are one of the largest levers you have on click-through rate from a SERP. A vivid, benefit-led description can outpull a higher-ranked competitor whose snippet is generic, since searchers scan the SERP for the result that best matches their intent. For brand teams, a well-written meta description is also a small but consistent ad impression every time the page surfaces.
How do you use meta description?
Write a unique meta description for every important page, tailored to the search intent the page targets.
Front-load the keyword in the first 60 characters, since that is the part most likely to be displayed in full on mobile SERPs.
End with a soft call to action like "see the full guide" or "compare plans," so the snippet does double duty as a tease and an invitation.
