If you’re diving into SEO and using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, you may run into a common issue: pages flagged for having meta titles or descriptions that are too long. When this happens on hundreds of pages, it raises a practical question:
Do you really need to fix meta tags on every page? Or just some?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s break down when meta tags matter, when they don’t, and how to prioritize your time and effort.
First, Why Meta Tags Are Flagged
Search engines display meta titles and descriptions in the search results. But if they’re too long, Google may:
- Truncate the text, cutting off important messaging
- Rewrite the description altogether using on-page content
- Create inconsistent search snippets, which can impact clicks
SEO tools flag these issues because in theory, shorter and optimized tags improve your control over how your site appears in search.
But what actually happens in practice?
Do Meta Descriptions Matter? Not Always
While meta titles still have SEO weight and should be crafted with care, meta descriptions are a different story.
Google has openly stated that it rewrites meta descriptions in the majority of cases – often over 60–70%, and in some reports, even 80% of the time. This is especially true when the written description doesn’t closely match the search query.
👉 Here’s a deeper look into this trend, where some marketers have seen small traffic gains by not writing meta descriptions at all.
So yes, while a good meta description can improve your click-through rate, Google might ignore it anyway.
Related: What is a good CTR (click-through rate) for search engine keywords?
When You Should Fix Meta Tags
Here’s when it’s worth fixing meta tags (especially titles, but also descriptions):
- Pages already ranking on page 1–2 – small improvements can lead to big CTR gains.
- High-converting landing pages – where your messaging in search results directly impacts your bottom line.
- Brand-related pages – where consistency and clarity matter (home, about, services).
- Pages with high impressions but low CTR – this is a clear sign your snippet may not be working.
These are your high-ROI pages.
When It’s Okay to Skip (or Leave to Google)
It’s perfectly fine to not fix every meta tag. Here’s when skipping is reasonable:
- Old blog posts or low-traffic pages
- Pages with dynamic or templated content
- Pages not meant to rank (e.g., thank-you, login)
- Pages where rewriting metadata brings no clear value
Google is smart enough to generate meaningful snippets when it has quality on-page content to work with. In fact, some SEOs argue that letting Google dynamically create meta descriptions based on search context can perform better than static ones.
Prioritize Your Fixes with This Strategy
Rather than updating every meta tag without a plan, take this structured approach:
| Priority | Page Type | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| High | Ranking pages, key content, high CTR potential | Fix meta titles & descriptions manually |
| Medium | Moderate traffic or evergreen blog posts | Tweak titles, optionally fix descriptions |
| Low | Low-traffic, archive, or utility pages | Leave meta descriptions blank or let Google auto-generate |
You can also group pages by type or topic to streamline updates.
How Long Is Too Long?
SEO tools flag length, but here are the recommended limits:
- Meta Title: ~50–60 characters (Google cuts off around 600px)
- Meta Description: ~150–160 characters
However, this isn’t a hard rule. If your title is slightly over but still compelling and readable, don’t panic. Use tools like Google’s SERP preview or search yourself to see how it’s displaying in real-world results.
In Summary…
No, you don’t have to fix meta tags for every page on your site.
Focus your time where it matters most – on pages that already bring traffic or have potential to. Google is increasingly good at pulling useful snippets from your content, especially when you’ve structured your pages well and written clear, relevant text.
That said, don’t ignore meta tags altogether. Strong meta titles and well-placed descriptions can still give you a competitive edge when used strategically.
Want more context?
Check out:
These dive deeper into the latest debates in SEO and when you can let go of control (and trust Google to do its thing).
Ready to design & build your own website? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.