Hi
I read an article by Danny saying that Google ignore the description tags. I wonder if this is the case as I have seen sites ranked high which appears to be on the description.
I do not have any descriptions or meta tags on my site.
Ant comments will be appreciated
Jampers

To say they have totally dropped them is unsure, although they have definetly give alot less weight to them since the META area does open up a factor of over reputition.


Wc

From my research, I understand that Google does not usually use the meta description tag, but may use the meta description on occasion when there is no content (text) on the page to index.

Google often uses the meta description tag to form part of the page snippet if the exact search string of the search query is in the meta description tag.

I think Danny may of been referring to Google using the description tag for ranking purposes. Stuffing keyword phrases within the description tag will do nothing for you.

Google does use the description tag within the SERP's as stated already above. If the match is direct or for example, an image intensive page with little text, the description will be used within the results.

Regardless of whether Google uses it or not, other engines do. It should be always be used. But as people have already noted, do not use it for repetitive keyword stuffing.

I read an article by Danny saying that Google ignore the description tags. I wonder if this is the case as I have seen sites ranked high which appears to be on the description.

Not sure which article you're reading, but I think I've typically said that Google has provided some rare support of that tag. Skimmed my how meta tags work (http://searchenginewatch.com/webmasters/article.php/2167931) page, and it doesn't actually name who does and doesn't. Instead, I link out to a features chart on this. That chart is due to be updated shortly -- but it does say that all the majors provide support in some way.

That's still the case. I did a full update recently for our paid SEW members (http://searchenginewatch.com/benefits/article.php/3355761), Revisiting The Meta Description Tag (http://searchenginewatch.com/_subscribers/articles/article.php/3344491), going over the situation with all the majors. Google seems to be making even more use of the meta description tag, but it's still not guaranteed. In fact, controlling your description with or with the tag can be a toss-up. Here's what I concluded in that article:

Use a meta description tag, and ensure that the most important terms you hope the page will be found for appear in the tag (focus on two or three phrases).
Review descriptions of pages listed with the Open Directory or the Yahoo Directory, and request any correction of major factual errors. Don't expect a rewrite to make your description more "attractive," however. Editors aren't likely to do this.
Don't pull your hair out. With the search engines using so many different description-generating options, you simply don't have the control you might like over your page descriptions, unfortunately.

I thought Jill Whalen recently had a good Google-specific article on description here (http://www.searchengineguide.com/whalen/2004/0416_jw1.html).

Perhaps a good summary answer would be to use the meta tag for it's intended use - a summary of the keywords and description of the web site! ;-)

alek