Variations in use of meta tag descriptions by Web pages in different subject areas

Abstract

Using the Yahoo! and Google directories, sets of pages from the top levels of each major subject area were downloaded and analyzed for presence of meta tag descriptions, lengths of descriptions, and degree of match in wording of descriptions to the pages' displayed texts and titles. Results for both directories showed significant differences in proportion of pages with descriptions and in lengths of descriptions depending on subject area; specifically, both health categories showed higher proportions with descriptions. Yahoo!, but not Google, results showed significant differences in wording matches depending on subject. Little overlap of pages was detected between the two different directories. Typical long and short descriptions, and descriptions showing high and low match rates, are briefly discussed.