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Using Trademarks in Meta Tags: Avoid It or Get Permission
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Meta tags are used primarily by search engines that wade through the HTML code and text of each page. When a search engine finds a search term in a meta tag, it indexes the Web page for display in its search results. Over the past few years, because websites manipulated their keywords so much, keyword meta tags decreased in importance in search algorithms. In fact, Google ignores keyword meta tags altogether, although it still relies somewhat on description meta tags.
Using Meta Tags to Divert Web Surfers
Some websites use meta tags in a deceptive manner to lure Web surfers. Instead of using terms that properly describe the site, some programmers substitute the names of competing companies. For example, a rival shoe manufacturer may bury the meta tag "Nike" in its Web page to lure Web surfers searching for Nike products. In the case of the website selling handmade watches, the meta tag might include "Rolex, Swatch, Bulova, Cartier."
This kind of deceptive use of another company's trademark in a meta tag is a form of trademark infringement when it confuses consumers.
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