My SERP meta description is displaying 315 characters...

[SanjidaKazi]

Hi Mozzers,

We have recently taken the #2 spot for our main keyword in Google UK serp. I just checked again and we have dropped to #4 and our meta description is no longer there as it has been replaced with some homepage content... 315 characters of homepage content right up to the full stop.

I'm a little confused. A couple of our competitors meta descriptions are showing the same, extra long homepage text instead.

Is there something totally normal and harmless causing this or do I need to be monitoring/changing something? Has Google made an update to allow for longer meta decs?

Any advice appreciated!

sWrBcuB.png

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi there

Can you send a screenshot? I want to say sit tight, monitor, and see what happens, it could just be a test or Google is changing something.

My vote - monitor and hang tight, especially if your meta description in your code is fine. I would also read this resource from Dr Pete if nothing changes as far as Google just using homepage content.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[SanjidaKazi]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the reply. Here is the screenshot, I'll read over the Dr Pete article too!

We are the 4th result. See also gocompare's meta desc. The ranking often fluctuates so this isn't my real worry it's just the description that I'm concerned with.

Cheers!

sWrBcuB.png

[ClaytonJ]

Jamie

I had a look at the source - ie the description. "Car Warranty designed to be the UK's best by Quentin Willson. 95% satisfaction rating for Warrantywise award winning used car warranty. Get a quote today"  I just did a character/ pixel check and it is perfect.  153 ch / 1329 px

I am only thinking out loud, but google might not like the first sentence -  it probably does not really respond to any searchers query match any intent. Hence google substitute the answer snippet taken from the page.  Maybe google is more advanced than we think they are with the ever changing SERP.

On a positive CTR is positively enhance by the size of the Organic search result - so you are on a winner their. I would just monitor it at present on GA and webmaster and see whether action needed.