Meta Tag
HTML tags in a page's header that provide metadata about the page to browsers and search engines.
Definition
Meta tags are HTML elements placed within the <head> section of a web page that provide metadata to browsers, search engines, and social media platforms. They are not visible to website visitors. The most SEO-relevant meta tags are the meta description, the robots directive, and Open Graph tags for social sharing. The title tag is commonly grouped with them despite being technically separate.
Why It Matters
Meta tags are the primary way web pages communicate their purpose to search engines without that information being part of the visible content. The meta description influences CTR, the robots tag controls indexing, and correct Open Graph tags determine how content appears when shared socially — all with significant indirect SEO impact.