Google’s creation of sites’ titles and descriptions (or “snippets”) is completely automated and takes into account both the content of a page as well as references to it that appear on the web.

We use a number of different sources for this information, including descriptive information in the META tag for each page. Where this information isn’t available, we may use publicly available information from DMOZ. While accurate meta descriptions can improve clickthrough, they won’t impact your ranking within search results. We frequently prefer to display meta descriptions of pages (when available) because it gives users a clear idea of the URL’s content. This directs them to good results faster and reduces the click-and-backtrack behavior that frustrates visitors and inflates web traffic metrics.

While we’re unable to manually change titles or snippets for individual sites, we’re always working to make them as relevant as possible. You can help improve the quality of the snippets displayed for your pages by providing informative meta descriptions for each page.

Read more about changing your site’s title and description here.

Google Adds New Features

As an online business, it is important not to look past your local audience. As a brick and mortar business, your local audience might even be your entire audience. Your presence in Google Maps is important. You (should) know that by now.

Keeping this in mind, Google has introduced some improvements to its AdWords local business ads for Google Maps (only). New improvements include:

- Info Window Features
- Reporting Capabilities

Your information window in Google Maps will now feature new interactive links designed to connect users to your business quickly. “Previously, a click on your ad’s info window could only take the user to your website,” explains Amanda Kelly of the Inside AdWords Crew. “Now, users will be able to interact with the info window to get the information they’re looking for about your business, right away. The new links include ‘Get Directions,’ ‘Street View’ (where available), and ‘Save to My Maps.’ Shortly after we implement these links, we’ll also add a ‘Send’ link, allowing the user to send your business info to their phone or email. Users will still be able to click through to your site if they wish — the info window simply offers additional free functionality.” Read article…