Meta Description Examples That Get Clicks

Meta descriptions don't directly affect rankings, but they massively impact click-through rate. A compelling description can double your traffic from the same ranking position.

What Makes a Good Meta Description?

The best meta descriptions:

• Summarize the page value — What will the reader get?
• Include the target keyword — Google bolds matching terms
• Create urgency or curiosity — Give a reason to click NOW
• Stay under 155 characters — Avoid truncation

Meta Description Examples by Page Type

Blog Post / Article

Template: Learn [topic] with [benefit]. [Proof point or hook]. [CTA]

Example: "Learn how to improve your site speed with our step-by-step guide. Used by 10,000+ developers. Get started in 5 minutes."

Product Page

Template: [Product] - [Key benefit]. [Social proof]. [CTA/Offer]

Example: "Premium leather wallet with RFID blocking. Rated 4.9/5 by 5,000+ customers. Free shipping on orders over $50."

Service Page

Template: [Service] for [audience]. [Differentiator]. [Trust signal]

Example: "SEO services for SaaS companies. We've helped 200+ startups grow organic traffic. Free audit available."

Homepage

Template: [Brand] - [What you do] for [who]. [Key differentiator]

Example: "PageSEO - AI-powered SEO recommendations for busy site owners. One action per day. Real results in weeks."

Comparison/Review Page

Template: [Thing A] vs [Thing B] - [Year] comparison. [What you'll learn]. [Credibility]

Example: "Ahrefs vs Semrush - 2025 comparison from an SEO who uses both daily. See pricing, features, and which is right for you."

Power Words That Increase CTR

Incorporate these words to make descriptions more compelling:

Urgency: Now, Today, Quick, Fast, Instant, Limited

Value: Free, Save, Exclusive, Proven, Essential, Complete

Curiosity: Secret, Surprising, Little-known, Discover, Revealed

Trust: Tested, Reviewed, Trusted, Official, Expert, Certified

What NOT to Do

Don't Duplicate

Every page should have a unique meta description. Duplicate descriptions confuse Google and bore searchers.

Don't Keyword Stuff

Bad: "Best shoes, buy shoes, cheap shoes, running shoes, athletic shoes, sports shoes"
Good: "Find the perfect running shoes for your feet. Compare 50+ models with our fit guide. Free returns."

Don't Leave It Blank

If you don't write a meta description, Google will create one from your page content. It's usually worse than what you'd write.

Don't Overpromise

If your description promises something the page doesn't deliver, people bounce. High bounce rate = lower rankings over time.

Quick Optimization Process

1. Find low-CTR pages in GSC — Sort by impressions, look for CTR below 3%
2. Check the current description — Is it compelling? Does it match intent?
3. Rewrite using the templates above — Include keyword, add value, create urgency
4. Wait 2-3 weeks — Check if CTR improved

The 155-Character Challenge

Practice writing descriptions that pack value into limited space. Every word should earn its place. If a word doesn't add value or create curiosity, cut it.

Before: "In this comprehensive and detailed guide, we will be exploring the various ways in which you can improve your website's search engine optimization performance."

After: "Improve your SEO with our proven 7-step process. Real examples from sites that 3x'd their traffic. Free checklist included."

Start Improving Today

Check your top 5 pages by impressions. Read their meta descriptions. Would you click? If not, rewrite them using the formulas above.

PageSEO identifies pages where meta description improvements would have the biggest impact — based on your actual CTR compared to expected CTR for your position.