Search Engines Uncovered Meta Author Tag Explained
by Jerry West
Updated September 25, 2008

When it comes to Meta Tags, there are many opinions that are floating around the web. Let me tell you, if you are looking at gaining a distinct advantage with Meta tags in the search engines, I have news for you it isn't 1999 anymore.

So you're probably wondering what Meta tags are worth injecting into your website for the basis of search engine optimization (SEO).

Note: If you are looking for a comprehensive list of Meta Tags and how to use them in your pages properly, please see our comprehensive article: Meta Tags Explained.

Meta Author: To declare the author of the HTML or XML document.

Let's take a look at the Meta Author tag right now.

A Meta Author tag declares the author of the HTML or XML document of a website. An example of a Meta Author tag is as follows:

<META NAME="Author" CONTENT="George Costanza, gcostanza@vandalayindustries.com">

In the Meta Author tag it will reference the name of the person who created the HTML or XML document that the person is viewing. If you use the Meta Author tag, it is recommended that you use the author's first and last name.

Some may tell you that the Meta Author tag should also include the email address of the author; however, I do not recommend this action as you may find yourself soon drowning in Spam. There are a lot of "site scrapers" out there which look for email addresses to harvest. If the author wishes to be contacted, include a contact form on the HTML page.

Google, Yahoo!, or MSN do not index the Meta Author tag, so it will not help you in search engine ranking, but it is recognized as part of the "Meta Tag Standard."

Where Do You Put the Meta Author Tag?

You will place the Meta Author tag in the "HEAD" "/HEAD" section of your web page HTML, and I recommend it be placed FOLLOWING your Meta Description and Meta Keyword tags.

Recommendation:

Currently the Meta Author tag is optional to use for your website. If you have many individuals that are contributing to the content of your website, use the Meta Author tag to help track which author wrote certain pages.

Personally, I use it to not only track who in my company authored the page, but it has come in handy when other sites have ripped off our pages and neglected to take out the Meta Author tag. It is always great to hear their denials of wrong doing until you have them pull up the code. There's just silence. Sweet.

Back to Meta Tags Explained & Uncovered.

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Jerry West is the Director of Internet Marketing for Web Marketing Now. He has been consulting on the web since 1996 and has assisted hundreds of companies gain an upper-hand over their competition. Visit Web Marketing Now for the latest in marketing tips that are tested and proven.

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