In the competitive landscape of online search, every click counts. A well-written SERP snippet can entice users to click your link, while a poorly written one can send them scrolling to the next result.
Fortunately, a SERP preview tool helps you visualize how your content will appear in search results before you hit publish.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use a SERP preview tool to improve your clickthrough rate and drive traffic to your site.
In This Article
What Is a SERP Preview?
A SERP preview is a simulated view of how your website’s content will appear in search engine results. It includes the title tag, meta description, and URL that users will see when they encounter your listing.
Here’s an example of snippet generated using a SERP preview tool:
And here’s what that page looks like in “real” Google search results:
They’re pretty similar.
You may have noticed that the meta description has changed between the live and simulated versions. That’s because Google has a tendency to rewrite meta descriptions if it thinks it can create something more relevant to the user and query. It’s totally normal and not a sign of a “bad” meta description tag.
Regardless, the SERP preview tool gives a good idea of what the final snippet will look like in search results.
Why Should I Use a SERP Preview Tool?
Using a SERP preview tool offers several benefits:
- Visualize your SERP snippet: See how your content will look in search results before publishing.
- Increase clickthrough rates (CTR): Compelling title tags and meta descriptions promote a higher CTR.
- Identify potential issues: Check for errors or formatting problems in your SERP preview.
- Improve user experience: Ensure your content is easily read and understood by searchers.
Best Practices for Writing SERP Snippets
Already know how to write compelling and click-worthy search listings? Jump to our next section: How to Use a SERP Snippet Tool.
Title Tags
Title tags, also known as meta titles and SEO titles, appear as a blue hyperlink on the SERP. They describe the main topic of your web page.
Here are some best practices for writing title tags:
- Keep titles concise. An ideal title length is 50 to 60 characters.
- Ensure your title accurately reflects your content to decrease bounce rates.
- Use relevant keywords that match your target search terms. If you can fit them at the beginning of your title, even better.
- Avoid keyword stuffing. Your title should read naturally.
- Make your titles engaging and compelling. Use power words or evoke emotions to get users to click.
Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions appear below your SEO title. They summarize the content of your web page and help users determine if your site has the information they’re looking for.
As we saw earlier, Google can rewrite meta descriptions based on the user and search query.
For example, in the screenshot below, we see how the meta description answers the query “what is a good keyword density” directly on the SERP.
Ultimately, Google has the final say regarding what appears in SERPs. However, you should still optimize your meta description tag to provide search engines the most accurate information about your page.
Here are some best practices for writing meta descriptions:
- Keep meta descriptions within the recommended character limit (usually around 155-160 characters).
- Write compelling and descriptive meta descriptions that pique interest.
- Include your target keywords naturally.
- Use a strong call to action to encourage clicks.
URLs
URLs are important for users and search engines. When done correctly, they reflect a logical site structure and the content of the specific page.
In the example below, we see that the page is about keyword density and is located within the LowFruits blog. It’s natural and easy to read.
Here are some best practices for writing URL slugs:
- Use clear and descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords.
- Avoid overly long URLs that are difficult to read. Try to keep it concise.
- Use hyphens to separate words in URLs instead of underscores.
How to Use a SERP Preview Tool
Now that you know how to write click-worthy search listings, let’s see how to use a SERP snippet tool to preview your work.
1. Select a SERP Snippet Tool
Navigate to your preferred SERP simulator.
For our tutorial, I’ll use the Mangools Google SERP Simulator. It’s free and my personal favorite.
2. Enter Your Title
Whether you’re writing directly in the tool or copying from another page, go ahead and enter your SEO title in the Title box.
You’ll notice that the SERP preview on the right populates with your text.
3. Enter Your Meta Description
Now, put your meta description into the Description box. This text will populate below your title.
4. Enter Your URL
Finally, add your web page’s URL to the URL box. This will populate the final element of your SERP preview, allowing you to preview your complete search listing.
5. Check Desktop and Mobile Formats
In this step, you want to ensure that both desktop and mobile formats are optimized.
In our previous screenshots, we were looking at the Desktop view. Mangools gave the tile and description a green color, indicating they were the ideal length.
However, if we switch our view to Mobile using the toggle button in the upper right corner, we’ll see that the Description color turns to red. This indicates an unoptimal length, and in our case, the meta description is too long. We know this because the SERP preview ends in an ellipsis on the right.
Using the desktop and mobile view allows you to catch any length issues before publishing.
Mobile is particularly important because SEO statistics reveal that 58% of all Google searches are made on a mobile device.
This means you should optimize for mobile users and not only focus on desktop.
5. Review and Refine
In this final step, review your SERP preview and make any necessary adjustments to improve its appearance and appeal.
- Check keyword usage. Ensure your target keywords are prominently featured in both your title tag and meta description.
- Verify character length. Adhere to the recommended character limits for title tags and meta descriptions to avoid truncation.
- Evaluate language. Is your writing clear, concise, and compelling? Does it accurately reflect the content of your page? Are you using any power words?
- Consider clickability. Would you want to click on your search listing?
By asking yourself these questions, you can gain a more objective perspective on your listing and optimize it for improved clickthrough rates.
SERP Snippet Tool for WordPress Users
If you’re a WordPress user, you can generate SERP previews directly in the editor using the All in One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin.
When working on a post or page, scroll down to the AIOSEO Settings. You’ll see the General tab, which shows your SERP preview.
You can edit the title and meta description using the boxes below.
AIOSEO also allows you to use smart tags (shown in the Trend Title box above) to generate SEO titles and descriptions automatically.
Conversely, you can handwrite either metadata tag by typing in the box (shown in the Meta Description box above).
Both metadata fields have character counters that turn red when you exceed character limits. This feature makes it very easy to see when your listing’s text will be truncated in search results.
Overall, it’s an intuitive and user-friendly tool for WordPress users wanting to get SERP previews directly in WordPress.
Final Thoughts
By using a SERP snippet preview tool and following these best practices, you can generate significantly more traffic for your website.
Remember, a well-crafted listing serves as your digital storefront, enticing visitors to click and explore your content.
Make them count!
