When it comes to getting your website noticed by search engines, the details matter. One of the most effective yet often overlooked ways to boost your site’s visibility is by updating the metadata on each of your individual pages. In this post, we’ll look at why metadata is crucial for your SEO strategy, how to update it on Squarespace, and which pages need your attention.

Why Update Metadata?

Metadata, including your page titles and descriptions, is like a business card for your website—except it's handed out to search engines. When someone searches for a term related to your business, search engines use your metadata to decide whether your site is relevant and worth showing in the results.

Why is it important?

1. Improved Visibility: A well-crafted SEO title can significantly improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

2. Professional Appearance: Pages without proper metadata can look unprofessional and unappealing in search results, which can deter clicks.

3. Increased Click-Through Rates: Metadata that accurately describes the content of your page encourages users to click on your link rather than a competitor’s.

How to Update Metadata on Squarespace

Updating metadata on Squarespace is a straightforward process, but it's crucial to get it right. Follow these steps to ensure your metadata is optimized. You can either watch the video, or follow the steps below!

1. Access Your Page Settings:

Go to the page you want to update and click on the Settings icon (the gear symbol) next to the page name.

2. Navigate to the SEO Section:

In the Page Settings window, click on the SEO tab. This is where you’ll add your SEO title and description.

3. Add an SEO Title:

A meta title, also known as an SEO title, is one of the most important elements of on-page SEO. It should be concise, typically between 50-60 characters, and include your most important keywords relevant to the content of the page. These keywords help search engines understand what your page is about and increase the chances of ranking for those terms. Additionally, make sure your title is clear and descriptive, providing users with a quick idea of what they can expect to find on the page. If possible, include your brand name at the end of the title, separated by a vertical bar or dash, to reinforce brand recognition.

4. Update the SEO Description:

A meta description is a brief summary of your page's content, usually between 150-160 characters. This snippet appears under your meta title in search engine results and plays a crucial role in encouraging users to click on your link. When writing your meta description, aim to be both informative and persuasive. Highlight the key points of the page, include relevant keywords naturally, and convey a clear benefit or value to the reader. While meta descriptions don’t directly impact search rankings, a compelling description can significantly boost your click-through rate, driving more traffic to your site.

5. Adjust Site-Wide Settings (If Needed):

If your page titles are automatically pulling in your site name, you may want to adjust these settings to avoid redundancy. Or you might want to leave it - that’s up to you!

Go to Marketing > SEO Appearance in your site settings to change the format. You might see something like `%p | %s`. The %p is your page title. The %s is your site title. You can customize this to better fit your needs.

Which Pages Should I Update for SEO?

All of them!

Every page on your site deserves properly optimized metadata. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make your site look polished and professional across all search engines. Plus, it’s one of the easiest changes you can make that will have a big impact on your site’s overall performance.

Final Thoughts

Updating your metadata is a quick and effective way to boost your SEO efforts. Don’t let poorly optimized pages hold your site back—take a few minutes to review and update each page’s metadata.