Most SEOs throw around the term meta tags incorrectly.
They mean meta elements most of the time.
While meta tags belong to the HTML basics, and SEO basics with that, it's important to get your lingo right.
Why?
Because when SEOs complain that they're not being understood or respected by developers, it may be because they're (literally) not using the right language to explain what they need.
I know that sometimes was the case with me, in my consulting days. And rightfully so, I was corrected.
I put together an article explaining what meta tags are and aren't, and describe the most important ones from an SEO perspective.
Check it out here: Meta Tags in SEO: the Ultimate Guide
Top comments (4)
I'm a little confused here. Do you meant to say that there is something else to the word "meta" other then meta tags when someone is talking about SEO?
Thanks for your question!
What I meant is that when SEOs talk about a meta tag, what they mean is a meta element. The meta tag is just this bit:
<metaand/>(not the part in between it), while the whole meta element is for instance<meta name="description" content="Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet." />Does that make sense?
Yes, I understand it now. Thank you.
Happy to help, have a great day!