MetaTags from Include file - can seach engines index? 2

[Trusts]

Hi all,

Seeing if there is a concensus of opinion, or a solid answer either -

If the metags are kept in an include file, they appear when the page is rendered, but do search engine crawlers find the actual metatags, or do they simply find that there is an include file - without accessing or indexing the metatags?

Being able to put them in an include saves a lot of time when they need to updated!

Thanks,
KB

 

[feherke]

Hi

Which including method ? If server-side, then no difference is noticeable on client-side neither for robots. If client-side, then probably they will be ignored.

Anyway, what [tt]meta[/tt] tags are you trying to add ? Possible that the job would be bigger then the effect.

Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/

 

[Trusts]

Hi feherke,

Some sites I create have dozens of pages. Assuming they all have the same metatags (Keywords, description), then it's great to be able to update them in one place.

Yes, it's on the server (php or asp includes) so that's good news to be able to use them that way.

 

[Foamcow]

It won't make a difference if the metas are included server side but, and this is a huge but, why would all your pages contain the same Meta information?

The Meta info should reflect the content of the page and not the site.

So logically, unless all your pages have the same content, the meta tags should be different for each page. You won't be able to use an include (unless pulling data dynamically from a data source).

<honk>*:O)</honk>

Tyres: Mine's a pint of the black stuff.
Mike: You can't drink a pint of Bovril.

 

[Trusts]

Hi Foamcow,

Interesting point of view. Obviously all pages are different, but the metatags would/could/should contain keywords that apply to all facets of the site, including the "current" page, and others. At least I see it that way.

Would that not get better search results? Say I have a web site on food recipes. One page has a recipe for baked salmon. Shouldn't the tags include food, recipes, cooking, kitchen, grill, nutrition, diet.

And of course fish, seafood, and salmon. I could see adding those three to the list via server code before the page arrives, but the first many tags would be the same for any page on the site/

Does that make sense to you? What do you think?

If a new buzzword like "carboholic" or "weight-challenged" becomes familiar I can just add it in one place - in the include.

 

[ChrisHirst]

Yes the meta tags could have all the same information on a site wide basis, but shouldn't
You are missing one important aspect. Search engines rank pages not sites.

2 important points, before suggesting forum828 would be the next place to visit.

The meta keywords element content is to all intents and purposes dead as a aid towards ranking.

The meta description content is very useful when the content matches the keyphrase for the page, as it will be used for the snippet in the SERPs so can attract more click-throughs than a series of random snippets from your page will.


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.

 

[Foamcow]

but the metatags would/could/should contain keywords that apply to all facets of the site,

Sorry, that is entirely the wrong way to think about it. Yes, I'm that confident I am right on this

Firstly Meta tags make precious little difference to search engines. They are largely ignored with the possible exception of a description meta which may be used on occassions to provide snippets in SERPS. Google has an entire snippets department so they can manage largely without the description meta anyway.

The Meta tag is for containing meta information about the page it is on. I really can't see how anyone can think this not to be the case. It makes no sense for a page level tag to refer to other pages in a group.

Also, even if metas had any real importance to them, a search engine would index pages not a site.

<honk>*:O)</honk>

Tyres: Mine's a pint of the black stuff.
Mike: You can't drink a pint of Bovril.