Original reference
SEO metadata field guide
This guide turns public search documentation into a practical review worksheet. It intentionally makes no claim about ranking improvements, search volume, or average performance. Review the source links and apply the checklist to a real page.
1. Page titles
Write a concise title that describes the page accurately and helps a searcher decide whether it answers their need. Review the rendered title and the visible page heading together; they can differ, but they should not contradict each other.
2. Snippet descriptions
Treat a meta description as a useful summary, not a guaranteed snippet. Make it specific to the page, avoid keyword lists, and check that it matches the content a visitor will actually find.
3. Structured data
Use structured data only when it describes visible, eligible content. Validate the markup and keep the page understandable without it. Structured data can make content eligible for enhanced search features; it does not guarantee that those features will appear.
4. Internal review
Record the page intent, evidence used, reviewer, and update date. This makes future changes easier to explain and prevents a checklist from becoming a substitute for judgment.
Sources
Cite this page
SearchLearningTools Team. “SEO metadata field guide.” SearchLearningTools, 2026. https://searchlearningtools.com/citation