Add meta description

The metadata of a Web page is data that provides a description of that specific Web page, for example, a description about the content of the page (what is the Web page about?). Search engines such as Google use this metadata to quickly and easily assess what the page is about.

The Meta description is considered the most important metadata of a Web page. Google tends to adopt this description and display it in search results (see below)

Example of a "meta description" that Google adopts in search results:

It is important that each web page has its own and unique 'meta description'.

Customize meta description in Joomla

You can set the 'meta description' in Joomla in different places: at the menu item, at an article, at a category, etc.

In general, setting the 'meta description' at an article is a great option. It is then used both when the article is shown as a 'web page' and when it is shown as a blog article.

Note! In an existing site, there may already be a meta description created under the menu item linked to your article. In that case, you will have to delete the meta description under the menu item. (Because it takes precedence over that of the article)

Set meta description:

Open the article whose meta description you want to set
1. click on the tab "Publishing"
2. Enter the text in the "Meta description" box.

The meta description of a page is often adopted by search engines in the search results but there is limited space for it, so ideally use a maximum of 160 characters. (the maximum in Joomla is 300 characters and the counter below the field will tell you how much characters are left.) Too short a meta description can also cause the meta description not to be adopted.