Why is the SEO title and meta description I added in Webflow not showing up correctly on Google and Bing?

Published on
September 22, 2023

When the SEO title and meta description you added in Webflow are not showing up correctly on search engines like Google and Bing, it can be due to a few different reasons. Here are some common issues and solutions:

  1. Google indexing delay: It's possible that Google hasn't indexed your website yet or hasn't updated its index to reflect the changes you made in Webflow. This is a common occurrence, and it can take some time for search engines to crawl and update their indexes. You can use the Google Search Console to check the indexing status of your website and request a reindexing if necessary.

  2. Misconfigured SEO settings: Double-check your SEO settings in Webflow to ensure that you've correctly entered the SEO title and meta description. It's important to use the correct syntax and character limits defined by search engines. Google, for example, limits the title to a maximum of 60 characters, and meta descriptions to 155-160 characters.

  3. Overridden by search engines: Sometimes, search engines may override the SEO title and meta description you provided in Webflow if they deem it irrelevant or not descriptive enough for the content on your page. They may choose to display alternative titles and snippets based on the search query and the content of your page.

  4. Duplicate or missing content: Google and Bing prioritize unique and relevant content. If you have duplicate meta tags across multiple pages or if your page has little or no content, search engines may choose to create their own titles and snippets for search results.

  5. Outdated or cached information: If you recently updated your SEO title and meta description, it may take some time for search engines to fetch and reflect the changes. Additionally, search engines sometimes display cached information, which may not be the most up-to-date version of your website. Clearing your browser cache or using a different device can help you see the latest information.

To ensure that your SEO title and meta description show up correctly on Google and Bing, follow these best practices:

  • Perform proper keyword research and include relevant keywords in your title and meta description.
  • Write compelling and unique descriptions that accurately summarize the content of your page.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing, as it can be seen as spammy by search engines.
  • Make sure you've used the correct syntax and character limits for the SEO fields in Webflow.
  • Regularly monitor your website's indexing status and update your SEO settings as needed.

Additional Questions:

  1. Why is my website not appearing in search engine results?
  2. How long does it take for Google to index a website?
  3. What are the best practices for optimizing meta tags for SEO?