metatags?

[jlockley]

The html forum sent me here (who knew it existed?)

Redoing my uniquely homely but extremely popular* page I spoke to a friendly designer, who claimed that metatags not only would be of no use in search engines, but that they would work against the site.

Would like opinions. Thanks.

* I own the oldest established restaurant recruiting company in the country and was among the first ten or so people to bring chef related issues to the web, pre mozilla and all. (Actually a bean company in Bimidgi named indian Harvest put up a crude interface - VI, I think - called Chefnet, but I typically digress). The web site was built in hand knit html to provide information for candidates, so I wouldn't have to repeat the same garbage over and over again. It looks like a 1976 menu, but whenever I say it's time to change it, everyone screams not to. People call from distant places saying they love the site. Go figure. I don't.

 

[nickdel]

Hi jlockley... I've heard the myths that metatags will work against you but I've never experienced it and cannot for any reason see why they would!

They are however not of much use nowadays. Page content and title are much more important as far as the bigger search engines are concerned.

Nick

 

[ChrisHirst]

meta keywords won't "work against" you, they won't help much either though.

The meta description can and does get used as the text snippet in the SERP so writing a good one can help get more clickthroughs.

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Woo Hoo! the cobblers kids get new shoes.
People Counting Systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[jlockley]

So, the meta tag(s) would be better put in text: Hospitality recruiting firm specialized in professional management, chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs(continue list) for private clubs, restaurants, hotels etc. rather than, say, this:
(odd note: the meta keywords print out with the page).
(copied from another site)

<title>Restaurant Consulting, San Francisco Restaurant Consultants</title>
<meta name="keywords" content="San Francisco Restaurant Consulting, Bay Area Restaurant Consulting, Marin Restaurant Consulting, Sonoma Restaurant Consulting, Napa Restaurant Consulting, California Restaurant Consulting, Consultants, Consultant, Startups, Startup, Operations, Operation, Restaurant Finance, Restaurant Leases, Real estate, referrals, referral, Restaurant advice, Restaurant Marketing, Restaurant Promotions, Restaurant Promotion, Restaurant Design, Restaurant Kitchen Design, Restaurant Advertising, Restaurant Identity, Restaurant Labor, Human Resources, Restaurant Problem, Restaurant Problems, Restaurant Staff, Restaurant Staffing, California Restaurant Training, Restaurant Staff training, Restaurant Vendors, Restaurant Vendor, Food Costs , Food Costs, Restaurant Insurance, Menu Design, Menu Design, Restaurant Analysis, Menu, Restaurant Menu, Catering, Restaurant Catering, Restaurant Turnaround, Restaurant Turn Around, Restaurant Specialists, Restaurant Specialist, Restaurant Names, Restaurant Naming, Restaurant Search, Restaurant Location, Restaurant Negotiations, Restaurant Negotiation, Restaurant Negotiating, Restaurant Seminar, Restaurant Seminars, Restaurant Class, Restaurant Classes, Restaurant Service, Restaurant Services, Restaurant Food Service, Food and Beverage, Food & Beverage, Bar, Bars, Lounge, Lounges, Café, Cafes, Restaurant, Restaurants, Business Consultant, Consultants, >
<meta name="" content="San Francisco restaurant concept , San Francisco restaurant development, Specialty foods marketing">
<meta name="San Francisco restaurant consultants " content="San Francisco restaurant consultants ">
<meta name="" content=",>
<meta name="" content="San Francisco restaurant design San Francisco restaurant architecture San Francisco restaurant architect San Francisco restaurant designer ">
<meta name="" content="San Francisco Restaurant Consultant, Bay Area Restaurant Consultant,Restaurant Turnaround, Restaurant Turn Around, Restaurant Specialists, Restaurant Specialist, Restaurant Names, Restaurant Naming, Restaurant Search, Restaurant Location, Restaurant Negotiations, Restaurant Negotiation, Restaurant Negotiating, Restaurant Seminar, Restaurant Seminars, Restaurant Class, Restaurant Classes, Restaurant Service, Restaurant Services, Restaurant Food Service, Food and Beverage, Food & Beverage, Bar Management, Bars, Lounge Management, Marin Restaurant Consultant, Sonoma Restaurant Consultant, Napa Restaurant Consultant, California Restaurant Consultant, San Francisco Restaurant Consultants, Bay Area Restaurant Consultants, Marin Restaurant Consultants, Sonoma Restaurant Consultants, Napa Restaurant Consultants, California Restaurant Consultants, San Francisco Restaurant Consulting, Bay Area Restaurant Consulting, Marin Restaurant Consulting, Sonoma Restaurant Consulting, Napa Restaurant Consulting, California Resta, Restaurant Business Plans, Restaurant Marketing Plans, Restaurant Business Plan, Restaurant Marketing Plan, urant Consulting, Restaurant Consultants, Restaurant Consultant, Restaurant Startups, Restaurant Startup, Restaurant Operations, Restaurant Operation, Restaurant Finance, Restaurant Leases,Restaurant advice, Restaurant Marketing, Restaurant Promotions, Restaurant Promotion, Restaurant Design, Restaurant Kitchen Design, Restaurant Architect, Restaurant Advertising, Restaurant Identity,">

 

[ChrisHirst]

Now THAT is likely to get the pages a closer look over by the spam teams at each SE.
Doing something like that now would be just crass stupidity.


Covered this a few times but;

meta description should be a couple of sentences that describes the page it is on.

meta keywords should be a handful of keywords and phrases that are relevant to the page. The few minor engines that still use them will, while the rest will simply ignore them.




Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Woo Hoo! the cobblers kids get new shoes.
People Counting Systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[jlockley]

<quote>Now THAT is likely to get the pages a closer look over by the spam teams at each SE.
Doing something like that now would be just crass stupidity.</quote>

That's very nice to hear. It's from our competition.