Meta Name Attribute Explained (author, robots, viewport)

What is the Meta Name Attribute?

The name attribute in meta tags defines the type of metadata being provided. It is used for non-standard or browser-specific metadata, unlike the property attribute used by Open Graph.

Common examples:

• author
• robots
• viewport
• description

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Why It Matters

Using the correct name attribute ensures that browsers and search engines correctly interpret your metadata.

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FAQ: Meta Name Attribute

What is the difference between name and property?

name is for standard HTML metadata (like description, robots), while property is for RDFa/Open Graph data.

Is the author tag important for SEO?

Not directly for rankings, but it helps with E-E-A-T and authorship signals.

Can I invent my own meta names?

Yes, but browsers and crawlers will ignore them unless they are registered or widely supported.

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Next to read

• Meta Tags HTML: Complete Reference with Examples