How to Fix Meta Tags for Better Google Rankings
Your title tag and meta description are the first things Google reads. Here's how to write them correctly — with examples for startups.
Meta tags won't magically put you on page 1 — but bad meta tags guarantee you won't get clicks even if you do rank. They're the headline Google shows in search results.
Title tag rules
- 50–60 characters (Google truncates longer titles)
- Primary keyword near the front
- Brand name at the end: "Keyword Phrase — Brand"
- Unique title on every page (no duplicates)
- Match search intent — if they search "free mock test", say "free mock test"
Meta description rules
- 150–160 characters
- Include primary keyword naturally
- Clear value proposition — what does the user get?
- Call to action: "Try free", "Scan now", "Compare plans"
- Unique per page
Examples for startups
Bad title
"Welcome to Our Platform | Home" — says nothing about what you do or who it's for.
Good title
"Free SSC Mock Test 2026 — Practice Online | MockPreps" — keyword first, brand last, clear intent.
How to check your meta tags
Growlit's free SEO audit reads every page's title, meta description, Open Graph tags, and flags issues: too long, missing, duplicate, or keyword-missing.
Audit your meta tags free — run a scan
Enter your domain on Growlit — Google rank check, competitor keywords, AI visibility, and SEO audit in one free scan.
Run Free Scan on Growlit