How to Optimize MS Word
Documents for Search Engines
Any of your web pages that use a Word Document for uploading
content (or has the Word doc upload toolbar) can be optimized for search
engines. By using the Word Document File Properties, you can create your own
title, description, and keyword meta tags. By doing so, you will override the
default meta data of your site, and will be customizing meta data to each
specific page. This is recommended for long-term search engine success.
Before you attempt to optimize your Word Documents used on
your website, please read the guidelines for Search
Engine Optimization.
How to Create Meta Tags in Your Word Documents
With your Word document open in the MS Word program, select File > Properties from the top
toolbar, then click the Summary tab (if you using Word 97-2003 or older) OR
File > Prepare > Properties (if
you are using Word 2007).
|
You should see a
window similar to this if using Word 97-2003 or older:
|
|
You should see a
window similar to this if you are using Word 2007:
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There are three text boxes in the
Properties window that correspond to title, description, and keywords meta
tags:
·
Title: = phrase that you enter here becomes
the title meta tag
·
Keywords: = words that you enter here
become the keywords meta tag
·
Comments: = description that you enter here
becomes the description meta tag
Meta Tags Limits
You will find different guidelines
depending on which search engine you research for the recommended maximum
characters to use for each of these three meta tags. Here's some rules of
thumb:
·
Title Meta Tag: do not
exceed 40-60 characters including spaces
·
Description Meta Tag: do not exceed 250 characters including
spaces
·
Keywords Meta Tag: no limit, but make sure the keywords and phrases are
relevant to the content on that page.
Need help deciding what meta data to use? We
have some helpful tips.
