Fix-it guide
Add a meta description
The meta description is a short HTML tag that controls the two-line snippet of text Google shows underneath your blue link in search results.
What it is
The meta description is a short HTML tag that controls the two-line snippet of text Google shows underneath your blue link in search results. It does not directly affect rankings, but it is your free ad copy in the SERP, and it heavily influences whether people click your listing or your competitor’s.
Why it matters
When you skip the meta description, Google fabricates one by pulling random sentences from your page. The result is almost always worse than what you would write. A well-written description can lift click-through rate by 30%+ at the same ranking position, which is the cheapest traffic win available.
How to fix it
Write a 70–160 character description
Treat it like Google Ads copy. Lead with the service, mention the location if you are local, and include a reason to click (free quote, 24/7 service, "no callout fee"). Under 70 characters looks empty; over 160 gets truncated.
Add it inside <head>
Place the meta description tag near your <title>. One per page. The `name="description"` attribute is what Google looks for.
<head> <title>Airport Car Service in Austin | Apex Car Service</title> <meta name="description" content="Reliable airport car service in Austin. Licensed, insured, and answering the phone 24/7. Instant quotes in under an hour." /> </head>Write a unique description per page
Duplicate descriptions tell Google your pages are interchangeable and waste your SERP real estate. Service pages, blog posts, and your homepage each need their own.
Next.js: set it via the Metadata API
Add `description` to your exported `metadata` object alongside the title. Next will inject the correct <meta> tag.
export const metadata: Metadata = { title: 'Airport Car Service in Austin | Apex Car Service', description: 'Reliable airport car service in Austin. Licensed, insured, and answering the phone 24/7.', };
How to verify the fix
View Page Source and search for `meta name="description"`. The content attribute should match what you wrote. Use Google's Rich Results Test or the Drive Top-Line audit to confirm the suggestion has cleared. Note: Google may still occasionally override your description with a page excerpt, that is normal.
Further reading
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