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Adding core keyword cluster to meta

By default Joomla SEO patch does a decent job at adding meta data. However, at Serr.biz, we like to set a "core" keyword cluster, plus have the section, category and article titles show up in the meta description and keywords.

SEO patch does not do this automatically.  You can manually do it, but it is time consuming.

To resolve this issue we made some modifications to /libraries/Joomla/document/html/render/head.php.

At line 89 we changed...

$strHtml    = $tab . '<title>' . $title . '</title>' . $lnEnd;

To

$strHtml    = $tab . '<title> Domainname.com ' . $title . ' Prime 3 keywords </title>' . $lnEnd;

You should replace Domainname.com and "prime 3 keywords" with your own info.

Line 164 we change from...

$strHtml .= $tab . "<meta name=\"description\" content=\"" . $metaDescription . "\"/>" . $lnEnd;

To...

$strHtml .= $tab . "<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Domainname.com " . $title . $metaDescription . "\"/>" . $lnEnd;

Again, change Domainname.com to your info.

In junction with these changes, we set the following parameters in the SEO tab of the Global Configuration control panel in the back end.

Html title setting = [TITLE]

Default title = [SITENAME] [TITLE]

Global Site Meta = . Your core keyword cluster.

*Notice the ". " in the above value?  It is important.  If you do not add ". " the meta description tag will use the tile and append the value above.  In the source code it will look something like "Domainname.com Article titleYour keyword cluster."

Meta tag keywords settings = ", your, keyword, cluster, Domain.com"

We like this format of meta data with the domain name it in as it helps the sites overall branding as well as keeping the core keywords on every page.

Now, whenever a page is shown in the search results, the user will see the domain name, as well as the core keyword.  That is, or course, assuming the search engines actually show the meta.  Google has a tendency to sometime text from the body for a link description in the SERP.  But even so, they do show the tile.

Note: Some SEO experts will vehemently declare the domain does not need to be there.  In truth, they are right.  However, we approach SEO not just from an SERP POV but also a branding, holistic marketing POV.  Our experience has shown our tactic is successful, and we, and our clients, have plenty of business.