HubSpot SEO Certification Practice Test

Why are meta descriptions important?

1. They decrease site speed

2. They reduce the need for keywords

3. They increase click-through rates and visits

4. They create backlinks automatically

The correct answer is: They increase click-through rates and visits

Meta descriptions are important primarily because they can significantly increase click-through rates and visits to a webpage. A well-crafted meta description provides a concise summary of the page’s content, enticing users to click on the link when it appears in search engine results. If the description is engaging and relevant, it can prompt users to choose your link over others, leading to increased traffic to your site. While other aspects of SEO are essential, such as site speed and keyword usage, these are not the primary roles of meta descriptions. They do not directly impact the loading speed of a website or eliminate the need for keyword optimization. Additionally, meta descriptions do not generate backlinks; backlinks are acquired through external sites linking back to your content. The primary function of a meta description is to act as a marketing message in search result pages that encourages users to click through to your content.