Meta data helps search engines understand your content and influences how your pages appear in search results. Here’s how to optimize your pages and posts using RankMath or Yoast SEO.
What is Meta Data?
When someone searches Google, they see three main things for each result:
- Meta Title – The blue clickable headline
- Meta Description – The brief text snippet below the title
- URL/Slug – The web address of your page
These pieces of information help users decide whether to click on your result. Well-written meta data can significantly increase your click-through rates.
Where to Add Meta Data
In RankMath
When editing any page or post, scroll down to the RankMath SEO box below your content editor. You’ll see fields for:
- SEO Title
- Description
- URL
In Yoast SEO
Look for the Yoast SEO section below your content editor. It works exactly the same way, with fields for:
- SEO title
- Meta description
- Slug
Both plugins show you a preview of how your page will look in Google search results.
Best Practices for Meta Titles
Keep it under 60 characters – Longer titles get cut off in search results
Put your most important keywords first – If someone searches for “food bank Philadelphia,” that phrase should appear early in your title
Include your organization name – Usually at the end, separated by a dash or vertical bar
Be specific and accurate – Don’t try to trick people into clicking. Write a clear, honest description of what’s on the page
Example:
- Good: “Volunteer Opportunities | Philadelphia Food Bank”
- Not as good: “Volunteering – Learn More About Our Amazing Programs!”
Best Practices for Meta Descriptions
Keep it between 150-160 characters – Search engines will cut off anything longer
Write in complete sentences – Make it readable and conversational
Include a call to action – Tell people what they’ll learn or what they can do
Use your main keywords naturally – But don’t stuff them in awkwardly
Make it compelling – Give people a reason to click on your result instead of others
Example: “Find volunteer opportunities at Philadelphia’s leading food bank. Sign up for weekly shifts, special events, or group volunteering. No experience necessary.”
Best Practices for URLs
Keep it short and readable – yoursite.org/volunteer-opportunities is better than yoursite.org/get-involved-with-our-organization-volunteer-page
Use hyphens to separate words – Not underscores
Include your main keyword – But don’t overdo it
Avoid dates – Unless you’re writing news or blog posts where the date matters
Don’t change URLs on existing pages – Changing a URL breaks any links to that page. If you must change it, set up a redirect.
Quick Checklist
Before publishing any page or post:
- Meta title is under 60 characters and includes your main keyword
- Meta description is 150-160 characters and has a call to action
- URL is short, readable, and includes your keyword
- Preview looks good in the RankMath/Yoast preview box
Common Questions
What if I leave these fields blank?
The plugin will automatically generate meta data from your page title and content. It’s better than nothing, but custom meta data almost always performs better.
Do I need to fill these out for every single page?
Yes, if you want those pages to show up in search results. Focus on your most important pages first—homepage, donation page, main program pages, etc.
Can I change meta data after publishing?
Absolutely. You can update meta data anytime without affecting the actual content of your page.
