# HTML <meta> name Attribute The `name` attribute of the `` tag specifies a name for the metadata associated with an HTML document. This metadata provides information about the page to search engines, browsers, and other web services, but is not displayed directly on the page itself. --- ## Introduction The `name` attribute works in tandem with the `content` attribute. While `name` defines the type of metadata (such as the author, description, or keywords), the `content` attribute provides the actual value associated with that name. > **Note:** If the `http-equiv` attribute is set on a `` tag, the `name` attribute should not be used. --- ## Browser Support The `name` attribute is fully supported by all major modern web browsers: * Google Chrome * Mozilla Firefox * Microsoft Edge / Internet Explorer * Safari * Opera --- ## Syntax ```html ``` --- ## Attribute Values The following table lists the standard values for the `name` attribute and their descriptions: | Value | Description | | :--- | :--- | | `application-name` | Specifies the name of the Web application that the page represents. | | `author` | Specifies the name of the author of the document.

**Example:**
`` | | `description` | Specifies a brief description of the page. Search engines often display this description in search results.

**Example:**
`` | | `generator` | Specifies the software package used to generate the document (not used for hand-coded pages).

**Example:**
`` | | `keywords` | Specifies a comma-separated list of keywords relevant to the page to help search engines classify the content.

**Example:**
`` | | `viewport` | *Modern addition:* Controls the page's dimensions and scaling on mobile devices.

**Example:**
`` | --- ## Code Examples ### Basic Metadata Configuration This example demonstrates how to use the `name` attribute to define a description, keywords, and the author of an HTML document: ```html

Welcome to YouTip

The metadata defined in the head section is processed by browsers and search engines.

``` --- ## Considerations ### HTML 4.01 vs. HTML5 There are no major differences in how the `name` attribute itself functions between HTML 4.01 and HTML5. However, HTML5 introduces newer standard values (like `viewport`) and deprecates older practices. ### SEO Best Practices * **Description:** Keep your `` under 155–160 characters to ensure it displays fully in search engine results pages (SERPs). * **Keywords:** While `` is no longer heavily weighted by major search engines like Google for ranking, it is still used by some minor search engines and internal site search systems.