Excerpts and meta descriptions are essential for improving your WordPress site’s user engagement and SEO. Understanding their differences and specific uses helps ensure your content is both appealing to readers and optimized for search engines.
Excerpts provide a quick summary of your posts, while meta descriptions influence how your site appears in search results.
1. Excerpt vs Meta Descripiton:
- Excerpt:
- Keep it brief, usually around 55-100 words.
- Make it engaging and intriguing to encourage clicks.
- Highlight the most interesting aspect of the post.
- Meta Description:
- Aim for about 150-160 characters.
- Include relevant keywords for SEO.
- Make it clear and concise, providing a compelling reason to click through.
Example: Let’s say you have a blog post about “Top 10 Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.”
Excerpt: “Discover the vibrant culture and rich history of Ho Chi Minh City with our top 10 must-visit attractions. From the bustling Ben Thanh Market to the serene Jade Emperor Pagoda, explore the best this dynamic city has to offer.”
Meta Description: “Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s top 10 attractions, including Ben Thanh Market and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Get insider tips and must-see spots in this vibrant city.”
2. Implementation
In WordPress using Yoast SEO, you can write both the excerpt and the meta description:
Excerpt: Go to the post editor and find the “Excerpt” box. If it’s not visible, you may need to enable it via the “Screen Options” at the top of the editor screen.
Meta Description: Scroll down to the Yoast SEO section and find the “Meta description” box. Enter your crafted meta description here.
By crafting both separately, you ensure that each element is optimized for its specific purpose, enhancing user experience and SEO performance.
