Already #1 for keyword on SERP...will I lose my ranking if I change meta title/descri

[C0ldf1re]

How about creating a new page with the new title, description (and content) and use it as a second way to promote your products.

That is one answer. A complete new webpage, or even website. The downside is (1) the new page competes with your old page, or the new website risks the sandbox, and (2) the new page / website forfeits the backlinks built up for the old page / website.

[mccreath]

That is one answer. A complete new webpage, or even website. The downside is (1) the new page competes with your old page, or the new website risks the sandbox, and (2) the new page / website forfeits the backlinks built up for the old page / website.

If you had two different pages on the same subject, are you saying they would reduce the overall chance of one of them showing up on Google?

I'd agree that a new website (not what I suggested) or the new page would not have the ranking (at first), but it may eventually do well in its own right without taking the risk of altering the page that is currently on top.

[C0ldf1re]

If you had two different pages on the same subject, are you saying they would reduce the overall chance of one of them showing up on Google?...

I see what you mean, Tigg! If they were totally different, Google should count them that way, as two entirely different webpages. The problem is, if you already have a proven "winning combination", then any major changes put you back in the unknown Google valuation.

[hotels]

2 pages/sites with unique relevant(non duplicate) content ranking high for same keyword phrase is liking having 2 horses in the same race.
Works for me!

[deepsand]

I'm currently ranked #1 for my e-commerce lighting site for the keyword 'discount lighting'...I'm thinking about changing my meta description...

Currently it is:

Designer lighting fixtures and lamps: pendant lighting, ceiling lights, wall sconces, landscape lighting; table lamps, floor lamps, and torchieres in …

I want to change it to:

Top Quality Discount Lighting - No Tax Outside CA, 150% Price Match Guarantee, Free Shipping Over $99, and High Customer Satisfaction Marks.

Is Google presently using your Meta Description in the SERPs?

If so, do not assume that they'll use the revised one.

would you guys recommend changing to the description that I am proposing? The title is similar in that it is just a bunch of keywords. I'm thinking that actually catering and hooking a customer is more important for conversion.

How many are really searching for the following:

• Top Quality
• No Tax Outside CA
• 150% Price Match Guarantee
• Free Shipping Over $99
• High Customer Satisfaction Marks

along with "Discount Lighting"?

My gut says none.

Which Description says more about the products offered?

If I change my meta description or even change my title, would I lose my #1 spot?

Perhaps; perhaps not. Only one way to find out.

Is knowing the answer worth the risk?

[mjtaylor]

Oh my. Your meta description DOES affect your ranking, just not as much as the title tag. As I proved here on these forums, having JUST a title tag and no content nothing else, you can get the #1 spot for a keyword. Surprised even me. Then when I started adding in things like meta description it started dropping like a rock.

So if you are at #1, but not getting any customers, you should make changes to get more customers. If you are at #1 and getting lots of customers, leave it alone. If the problem is conversions, then start changing other things on your site that convince people to lay their money down.

There is an old adage : "If it aint broke, don't fix it".

I'd say that description is broken; it does not invite clickthroughs ...

Meta affects ranking? Miniscule, I would say ... I'd have to say "way way less than the title tag." If you think it's significant, can you substantiate that? I can't find anything to support the idea. Is it one of 200 factors? Perhaps ... is it in the top 150? I kinda doubt it. Seems to be down there with putting keywords in italics somewhere ... or in a list. Worthwhile, perhaps, but not very weighty.

Please show me if I am wrong ...

[deepsand]

Meta affects ranking? Miniscule, I would say .

Well, if Google does use ones Meta Description in the SERPs, might that not suggest that it finds such to be superior to one of its own construction based on the page content, which in turn suggests that, for such cases, the content of the Meta Description is a positive Rank factor?

[mjtaylor]

That does not seem like a logical conclusion to me, no. Just because they return the description that best suits a query doesn't mean the description factors strongly in the SERPs. On my site, it sometimes uses the ODP and sometimes my meta and sometimes text ... what does that tell you? Nothing conclusive, as far as I can tell.

[deepsand]

That does not seem like a logical conclusion to me, no. Just because they return the description that best suits a query doesn't mean the description factors strongly in the SERPs. On my site, it sometimes uses the ODP and sometimes my meta and sometimes text ... what does that tell you? Nothing conclusive, as far as I can tell.

They don't generate the SERP Description on the fly, as they only archive a fixed size portion of the page's initial cache data; and, doing so would unnecessarily slow the serving up of the SERPs. Rather, they make a selection from indexed data.

Still, in those instances where they've selected your Meta Description for use as being best suited for the query string, the reasoning set forth holds. That's not to say that it's a big factor; but, nonetheless, allows that it may be a material one.

[michaelhartzell]

#1 stick with it. it is informative and accurate, right?

the second option leans to sales descriptive vs. product descriptive.

I like the idea of creating the second page that focuses on the new wording.

Good enough today is not good enough tomorrow is one of the "five essentials to business success".