Meta Tags
If someone tells you that you don't need meta tags, think again. Meta tags serve two functions: optimization for positioning and descriptions for searchers. Granted, no search engines use the meta tags alone to determine positioning or placement of a site.
So what are Meta tags? Meta tags are part of the HTML source code that is invisible to someone viewing your site in a browser. Search engines can see them, and in the early days of search engines, used them to position sites. It was an easy way for people to take advantage, and soon search engines had to adjust their algorithms to use the content of the site, not just what a programmer or optimizer wants them to see.
The Title tag is what you see in the top left hand corner of your browser window. Many search engines do use the Title tag - it should be used as a method of showing the visitor and the search engine the main topic of the page. It should only be a few words long.
The Description tag still has value. Although it is safe to say that few (if any) search engines use the description when determining how a site is positioned, many use the description when returning results to a searcher. Google uses the tag when there is a lack of text on the page. Remember to make your descriptions compelling with marketing copy. Avoid things like "This page contains" or "On this page you will find" - use calls to action!
The Keyword tag has been declared "dead", but there is no reason not to use it. In fact, there has been recent evidence that it is being used but only if the keyword tag contains a few number of keywords that are highly relevant to the content on the page.
There are many other Meta tags out there that some programmers may put in, but it's a good idea to avoid them if meant for the purpose of optimization.
People who do not use meta tags on their pages and little or no text are likely to end up with search results with little more than their web site address. Nothing there to entice a visitor to click!
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