Write an Excerpt
For the reasons outlined previously, I like to write a short 160 words or less excerpt for each post and use that as the meta description.
So I backspace over the Post Content variable and insert the Post Excerpt variable.
Scroll down to the bottom and click the Save Changes button.
Then when you create a new post, the excerpt will be used as the meta description.
Note that when you edit the post, it shows the Post Excerpt variable, but underneath shows the number of characters that will be displayed, taken from this post's actual excerpt.
This means that if you have old posts that are set to show Site Content, you can update them here by writing an excerpt (see the right-hand sidebar) and then substituting Post Excerpt for Post Content.
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Peterke
Premium Plus
Hi Phil,
I don't understand why you have to choose a "Post Excerpt" in the meta description. I myself do NOT use tags in the meta description and I put my own text in it (different from "Post Content") and no longer than 160 characters... Is that a problem?
Since every post or page gets its own unique meta description, can't it just be typed in? Or am I missing something?
Best regards,
I don't understand why you have to choose a "Post Excerpt" in the meta description. I myself do NOT use tags in the meta description and I put my own text in it (different from "Post Content") and no longer than 160 characters... Is that a problem?
Since every post or page gets its own unique meta description, can't it just be typed in? Or am I missing something?
Best regards,
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Peterke
Premium Plus
That's what I thought too, but maybe that "Post Excerpt" has something special somewhere? I'll wait for Phil's response...
Thank you for your feedback!
Thank you for your feedback!
TRSCHUSTER
Premium Plus
phil1944
Premium
I'll have to go back and check, but I thought I made it clear that you can just type it in, but I use the excerpt to "kill two birds with one stone". Many themes use the excerpt, for example, when displaying a summary of posts (mine certainly do) so I make it a practice to always include an excerpt with a new post. Then if you set your meta description to be the excerpt, it's automatically taken care of for you.
Peterke
Premium Plus
Hi Phil,
Still, I don't understand... You make your own excerpt of a maximum of 160 characters and then use the "Post Excerpt" tag.
I immediately type my text... You can't use the same "Post Excerpt" on another page, can you? So you create a "Post Excerpt" with some other text, right?
In fact, you are using an intermediate step that is actually (in my view) superfluous. Maybe I really don't understand, but at least my meta description looks good.
Thanks for your response.
Still, I don't understand... You make your own excerpt of a maximum of 160 characters and then use the "Post Excerpt" tag.
I immediately type my text... You can't use the same "Post Excerpt" on another page, can you? So you create a "Post Excerpt" with some other text, right?
In fact, you are using an intermediate step that is actually (in my view) superfluous. Maybe I really don't understand, but at least my meta description looks good.
Thanks for your response.
phil1944
Premium
That's perfectly OK. I always create an excerpt for a new post, so setting the meta description to use it makes good sense.
phil1944
Premium
After I've created a new post, I summarize it in 160 characters or less in the Post Excerpt panel (in the right sidebar under the featured image). That automatically becomes my meta description. It's not superfluous because the post excerpt is used elsewhere. It's saving me a step.
MTCandela1
Premium Plus
Yeap, Phil! Indeed very helpful! It also helps getting you indexed!
phil1944
Premium
mbouteiller
Premium Plus
Thank you, Phil. I've been doing the All in One SEO. I'm going to use yours as a check to make sure I've been using it properly. I appreciate you taking the time to write this up with images. Very helpful.
Have a blessed weekend.
Monica
Have a blessed weekend.
Monica
