META AUTHOR Tag: History, Usage, and Best Practices
The META AUTHOR tag is an HTML element that allows website owners to specify the author of a particular web page. The tag is used primarily for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes, as it helps search engines understand who created a particular piece of content.
In this blog post, we will explore the history of the META AUTHOR tag, its adoption, the creator (if known), correct usage with three HTML examples, incorrect usage with examples, and usage that could reduce the presence of the site on search engines.
History and Adoption
The META AUTHOR tag was first introduced in HTML 4.0, which was released in 1997. Its purpose was to provide metadata about the author of a web page to help search engines rank content based on who wrote it. Initially, it was widely adopted by many websites, but its usage has since declined due to changes in search engine algorithms and the rise of social media.
Creator
The creator of the META AUTHOR tag is unknown, as it was part of a larger effort to standardize HTML metadata tags. The W3C, or World Wide Web Consortium, was responsible for creating the HTML 4.0 specification, which included the META AUTHOR tag.
Correct Usage with Examples
The META AUTHOR tag should be used in the head section of an HTML document, after the title tag. It should include the author’s name, and optionally, their email address or website URL. Here are three examples of correct usage:
Example 1:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="John Doe">
</head>
Example 2:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="Jane Doe">
<meta name="email" content="[email protected]">
</head>
Example 3:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="John Smith">
<meta name="website" content="//www.example.com">
</head>
Incorrect Usage with Examples
The META AUTHOR tag should not be used to specify a company or organization as the author of a web page. It should also not be used to list multiple authors or to include unnecessary information. Here are some examples of incorrect usage:
Example 1:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="My Company">
</head>
Example 2:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="John Doe, Jane Doe">
</head>
Example 3:
<head>
<title>My Blog Post</title>
<meta name="author" content="John Doe">
<meta name="email" content="[email protected]">
<meta name="phone" content="555-555-5555">
</head>
Usage that Could Reduce Presence on Search Engines
Using the META AUTHOR tag incorrectly could negatively impact a website’s search engine ranking. For example, including irrelevant or misleading information in the author tag could cause search engines to view the content as spammy or low-quality. Additionally, using the tag to list multiple authors could dilute the authority of the content.
To avoid these issues, website owners should only use the META AUTHOR tag to list the primary author of a web page and should ensure that the information included is accurate and relevant to the content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the META AUTHOR tag is an essential aspect of web development that helps in providing important information about the author of a web page. It was introduced in the early days of the internet and has since become a widely accepted standard for providing authorship information. When used correctly, it can help increase the credibility and authority of a website, which can, in turn, positively impact its search engine rankings.
It is important to follow the correct usage guidelines when implementing the META AUTHOR tag to ensure it is recognized by search engines and web browsers. Incorrect usage can lead to the tag being ignored or even negatively impacting the website’s search engine visibility. Web developers should ensure that the tag is used consistently and accurately across all pages of the website.
Overall, the META AUTHOR tag is a simple yet powerful tool that should not be overlooked by website owners and developers. It is a valuable asset in establishing credibility, trust, and authority with readers and search engines alike. With the ever-increasing importance of online presence, it is more important than ever to ensure that websites are properly marked up with the appropriate tags and information, including the META AUTHOR tag.