How to Improve AI-Written Meta Descriptions
TL;DR:
- AI can draft meta descriptions with your target keywords, but they need human review
- Check the tone matches your brand and accurately describes your content
- Keep descriptions between 155-160 characters to avoid search result truncation
- Make them compelling enough that people actually want to click through
- Add a call-to-action when it makes sense to boost click rates
AI tools in website builders can generate meta descriptions quickly, but they're not perfect. These short summaries appear under your page title in search results, so they need to work hard to get people clicking through to your site.
Getting the Basics Right
Meta descriptions are your shop window in search results. When someone searches for something you write about, your meta description is often what convinces them to visit your page instead of a competitor's.
AI does a decent job of including your target keywords and summarising your content, but it doesn't understand your brand voice or know what makes your audience tick. That's where you come in.
What to Check in AI Meta Descriptions
Tone and Brand Voice
Read the AI-generated description out loud. Does it sound like something you'd actually say? If your brand is casual and friendly, but the AI has written something formal and corporate, rewrite it. The description should feel consistent with the rest of your content.
Accuracy
Make sure the meta description actually reflects what's on the page. AI sometimes gets creative and describes what it thinks should be there rather than what actually is. Misleading descriptions hurt your credibility and bounce rate.
Length Management
Stick to 155-160 characters. Any longer and search engines will cut off your description with "…" which rarely looks professional. Most AI tools respect this limit, but double-check before publishing.
Click Appeal
This is where most AI descriptions fall flat. They're often technically accurate but boring. Ask yourself: would you click on this? If not, punch it up. Add benefit-focused language or hint at what problem you're solving.
Making Descriptions More Clickable
Include a subtle call-to-action when it fits naturally. Phrases like "find out how" or "see the results" can work well. Don't force it though – some pages work better with straightforward descriptions.
Focus on benefits rather than features. Instead of "This guide covers five SEO techniques," try "Five SEO techniques that actually move the needle." It's a small change but makes the content sound more valuable.
Use numbers and specific details when you have them. "Learn WordPress" is vague. "Build your first WordPress site in under an hour" tells people exactly what they're getting.
FAQs
Can AI handle all my SEO writing?
AI is excellent for first drafts and research, but it can't replace human judgment on strategy and brand voice. Use it as a starting point, not the finish line.
How do I edit AI meta descriptions in my website builder?
Most platforms with AI features let you edit generated content before publishing. Look for an "edit" or "customise" option near the AI suggestions.
Should every meta description include my target keyword?
Include keywords when they fit naturally, but don't force them in. A compelling, readable description that gets clicks is better than a keyword-stuffed one that gets ignored.
How do I know if my meta descriptions are working?
Check your click-through rates in Google Search Console. Low CTR often means your descriptions aren't compelling enough, even if you're ranking well.
Jargon Buster
Meta Description: The short text snippet that appears under your page title in search results. It doesn't directly affect rankings but influences whether people click through to your site.
Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who see your listing in search results and actually click on it. Higher CTR usually means better meta descriptions.
Search Console: Google's free tool that shows how your site performs in search results, including which queries bring traffic and your CTR for different pages.
Wrap-up
AI-generated meta descriptions are a solid starting point, but they need your human touch to really work. Spend a few minutes reviewing each one for tone, accuracy, and click appeal. The effort pays off when more people choose your result over the competition.
Think of AI as your research assistant – it handles the groundwork so you can focus on making the description compelling and on-brand.
Ready to take your SEO skills further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for in-depth training on getting the most from AI tools and website builders.