If your website’s titles, meta descriptions, or preview images (social media thumbnails) appear outdated in search results or when shared on social media, it could be due to caching issues, outdated metadata, or incorrect settings. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to update and resolve these issues using OzSpeed’s hPanel.
Step 1: Access the SEO Settings in hPanel #
To start fixing outdated titles and descriptions, open the SEO Settings for the affected page.
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
- Navigate to the page you want to update and click on SEO Settings.
Tip: #
- Check multiple pages for outdated metadata, as the issue may affect more than one page.
Step 2: Update the Meta Title and Description #
Ensure that the Meta Title and Meta Description fields reflect the current content of the page.
How to Update Titles and Descriptions: #
- Click on the Meta Title field and enter the new title (e.g., “New Features of OzSpeed Hosting – Discover Our Latest Updates”).
- Click on the Meta Description field and update the summary (e.g., “Explore the latest features of OzSpeed Hosting for improved performance and speed. Learn more today!”).
- Click Save.
Tip: #
- Keep the title under 60 characters and the description under 160 characters for optimal display in search results.
Step 3: Update the Preview Image (Open Graph Image) #
The preview image that appears when sharing your page on social media is usually defined by an Open Graph (OG) image. If the wrong image is displayed, update the Open Graph settings.
How to Update the Preview Image: #
- Go to the Social Sharing Settings tab in the SEO panel.
- Click on the Preview Image field.
- Upload a new image or select one from your Media Library.
- Click Apply and then Save.
Tip: #
- Use a high-resolution image (minimum 1200×630 pixels) for the best display on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Step 4: Clear Website Cache #
Outdated titles, descriptions, or preview images may be due to caching. Clear your website cache in hPanel to ensure the latest updates are reflected.
How to Clear Cache: #
- Go to Website Settings > Performance.
- Click Clear Cache.
- Refresh your website to check the updates.
Tip: #
- Clear your browser cache as well to ensure you’re seeing the most recent version of the site.
Step 5: Update Your Sitemap #
To help search engines recognize the changes, update your website’s sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console.
How to Update the Sitemap: #
- Go to Website Settings > SEO & Analytics.
- Click on Generate New Sitemap.
- Copy the sitemap URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml).
- Log in to Google Search Console, go to Sitemaps, and enter the updated sitemap URL.
- Click Submit.
Tip: #
- This step helps speed up the indexing process for search engines, ensuring they use the updated metadata.
Step 6: Clear Social Media Cache #
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter cache preview data. Use their debugging tools to clear the cache and update the preview image and metadata.
How to Clear Social Media Cache: #
- Facebook: Go to the Facebook Sharing Debugger (https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/).
- Enter the URL of your page and click Debug.
- Click Scrape Again to update the metadata.
- Twitter: Go to the Twitter Card Validator (https://cards-dev.twitter.com/validator).
- Enter the URL of your page and click Preview Card.
Tip: #
- Use these tools regularly after updating your metadata to ensure the changes are reflected on social media.
Step 7: Verify Changes #
Once you’ve made the updates, verify that the correct titles, descriptions, and preview images are being used.
How to Verify: #
- Open an incognito window in your browser and visit the updated page.
- Check the browser tab for the updated title and view the page source to verify the meta description.
- Share the URL on social media to ensure the correct preview image is displayed.
Tip: #
- Use a SERP Preview Tool online to see how your updated title and description will look in search engine results.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Updates Not Showing in Search Results:
- It can take time for search engines to update their index. Use Google Search Console to request a faster reindex.
- Double-check the meta tags in the page source to ensure the correct title and description are being used.
- Incorrect Preview Image on Social Media:
- Use the Facebook Sharing Debugger and Twitter Card Validator to clear the cache and update the preview image.
- Ensure the Open Graph image is the correct size (minimum 1200×630 pixels).
- Title or Description Too Long:
- Keep the meta title under 60 characters and the meta description under 160 characters to avoid truncation.
Additional Tips: #
- Use Consistent Branding: Ensure your titles, descriptions, and preview images align with your brand message and visual identity.
- Optimize for Mobile: Preview your updates on both desktop and mobile devices to ensure a good user experience.
- Monitor Performance: Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track the performance of your updated pages and make further optimizations if needed.
