Google won't show meta description is search results

[depaco79]

Hi,

I have a site which google will not show the meta description I've taken time to write for each individual category and products, all google does it grab the start of the content from the actual product/category page, without using the meta description.

The websites is a ali affilite plugin, with some pages showing 3 meta name="description" on the product page. Example attached.

Any advice?

Thanks all

 

[ThopHayt]

They won't use a description if it is too long, not unique (on your site or off your site), or what Google considers readable.

-ThopHayt

 

[depaco79]

They won't use a description if it is too long, not unique (on your site or off your site), or what Google considers readable.

-ThopHayt

Hi,
Thanks for your response, here is an example, however, I think the title descriptions are too long on many products, do you think that if I shorten the titles and then fetch as google, the meta descriptions will be then picked up accordingly?

Many Thanks

 

[Deleted member 1143697]

Hi,

The official length of google meta description is around 160 characters. Above this, gets truncated by Google. However, going by attached images I think that you have overstuffed the keywords in description. Try to write is reader-friendly, as google prioritizes unique and readable content.

 

[ThopHayt]

Hi,
Thanks for your response, here is an example, however, I think the title descriptions are too long on many products, do you think that if I shorten the titles and then fetch as google, the meta descriptions will be then picked up accordingly?

Many Thanks

Titles need to be much shorter than the max google quotes. Look at the comp.

-ThopHayt

 

[terrycody]

They won't use a description if it is too long, not unique (on your site or off your site), or what Google considers readable.

I got a question buddy, for example, you write a paragraph of unique description, the keyword is not included in it, but when a user search a query and happen your website come up in the SERP, and the keyword happen in some paragraphs.

So in this case, does the description will change and show this paragraph will contain keyword to this searcher? Or it will always show fixed description you wrote?

Hope it is clear.

 

[ThopHayt]

Well a description shouldn't be super long, there is a limit to what Google will allow and even less that they will choose to display. When you see it change, it is likely Google taking verbiage off the site's actual page. Which they do if the description sucks.

-ThopHayt

 

[don chino]

Google skips your description if it decides there is something wrong about it. Check the length, readability, keyword stuffing, relevancy and other description requirements.

 

[depaco79]

Google skips your description if it decides there is something wrong about it. Check the length, readability, keyword stuffing, relevancy and other description requirements.

The thing is though, I've since added 3 more products with super short descriptions and titles and no keyword stuffing and they are still showing up as the content from the page as the meta description rather than the meta which I've inserted. It's a real shame because I spent a while on this and feel it's all been wasted.

I'm at a bit of a loss to be totally honest!

 

[don chino]

The thing is though, I've since added 3 more products with super short descriptions and titles and no keyword stuffing and they are still showing up as the content from the page as the meta description rather than the meta which I've inserted. It's a real shame because I spent a while on this and feel it's all been wasted. I'm at a bit of a loss to be totally honest!

Maybe "Fetch as Google" on Search Console can help you. If you have GWT added, then with this feature you can render the site and see how Google sees it.

 

[AceCanoe]

This is happening to me with one of my sites too. I'd like to change the meta description of my domain itself because when I do "site:domain.com" on Google, the meta description looks bad. It's literally the title's of my last 5 posts so you can see how that'd look bad.

I downloaded the Yoast SEO plugin to edit the meta description for the domain to something very short and simple (that describes my site) but it hasn't updated in the SE. It's been a few days. I'm not sure what else I can do, I really hate seeing that description look bad in Google though.

 

[Deleted member 657006]

Are you using free yoast plugin

 

[depaco79]

Maybe "Fetch as Google" on Search Console can help you. If you have GWT added, then with this feature you can render the site and see how Google sees it.

I have Webmasters Tool added, I'll have a try and see what

Are you using free yoast plugin

Are you using free yoast plugin

Yes I am using the Free version, however, I have the Free version on several local business sites I run and rank well and have no issues, what are your thoughts? I'm really struggling here!

 

[Deleted member 657006]

This is happening to me with one of my sites too. I'd like to change the meta description of my domain itself because when I do "site:domain.com" on Google, the meta description looks bad. It's literally the title's of my last 5 posts so you can see how that'd look bad.

I downloaded the Yoast SEO plugin to edit the meta description for the domain to something very short and simple (that describes my site) but it hasn't updated in the SE. It's been a few days. I'm not sure what else I can do, I really hate seeing that description look bad in Google though.

You need more then couple days m8 google updates when it want to can take time.

 

[Deleted member 657006]

Have you checked your theme update maybe it shit , try another .

 

[depaco79]

This is happening to me with one of my sites too. I'd like to change the meta description of my domain itself because when I do "site:domain.com" on Google, the meta description looks bad. It's literally the title's of my last 5 posts so you can see how that'd look bad.

I downloaded the Yoast SEO plugin to edit the meta description for the domain to something very short and simple (that describes my site) but it hasn't updated in the SE. It's been a few days. I'm not sure what else I can do, I really hate seeing that description look bad in Google though.

Exactly the same here mate, I spent a lot of time writing all of the meta descriptions as well, when I upload another product even with a super short description it stills pulls the meta from the content of the page.

 

[depaco79]

Have you checked your theme update maybe it shit , try another .

The theme is a specific one which works with the plugin, I've contacted the creators and they've said they have no issues with the theme and it's updated along with the plugins, I've gone tough all the steps from the yoast trouble shooting, I can't post a link not enough posts,

 

[ChicGao]

Google now shows the description of each search result according to the keyword that users are searching. If the keyword is not related to the meta description, Google will grab some contents from your page and show them in the result. If your description is too long or too short or it is copied from other website, Google won't show them.

 

[persysweb]

i) In meta description, you should focus on the core targeted keywords. Keep in mid, just do not place all the keywords, there should be quality meta description.
ii) Remove the duplicate titles and meta description.
iii) Make sure the source code of your website has the same meta description as you have added for the SEO.
iv) If you have updated the meta description recently then it will take the time to get indexed on the Google. Till the time, Google will display the cached meta description.