# nosnippet, max-snippet and data-nosnippet: How to Control Your Snippet
> Control your search snippet with nosnippet, max-snippet, and data-nosnippet: what each does in Google and Bing, a goal-to-control table, and code.
Canonical: https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/nosnippet-snippet-controls/
Author: Dex SEO, Editorial team
Published: Oct 22, 2026 · Updated: Oct 22, 2026
## Key takeaways
- nosnippet removes the text snippet but keeps the page indexed.
- max-snippet sets a character limit for the snippet.
- data-nosnippet hides only marked parts of a page.
Google and Bing let you control how much of your page text shows as a snippet in search results. There are three main tools. `nosnippet` removes the text snippet for a whole page. `max-snippet` sets a character limit. `data-nosnippet` hides only certain parts of a page. Each one is useful in a few cases, and each one has a cost if you use it by mistake.
This guide explains what each control does, based on Google’s and Bing’s documentation, and ends with a goal-to-control table and three code snippets. For writing the meta description itself, see the [guide to SEO titles and meta descriptions](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/).
## Snippet controls are not indexing controls
This is the first thing to get right. `noindex` removes a page from search results. `nosnippet` keeps the page in results but removes the text summary. They solve different problems.
If you want a page gone from search, you need `noindex`, not a snippet rule. The [guide to checking a noindex tag](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/crawling-and-indexing/check-noindex-tag/) shows how to confirm what a page declares.
Snippet controls also do not change your title link, your site name, or your favicon. Those come from other sources. See the guides to [site names in Google Search](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/site-name-google-search/) and [favicons in Google Search](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/favicon-google-search/).
## nosnippet: no text snippet for the page
Google’s [robots meta tag specification](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/robots-meta-tag) says `nosnippet` tells Google not to show a text snippet or video preview for the page. A static image thumbnail may still appear when Google thinks it helps.
Google says this rule applies to all forms of its search results, and it lists web search, Google Images, Discover, AI Overviews, and AI Mode. It also says the rule prevents the content from being used as a direct input for AI Overviews and AI Mode.
The cost is clear. Your result shows a title and no summary. People have less to go on when they choose. Use it only when showing any text would cause a real problem.
## max-snippet: a character limit
`max-snippet:[number]` tells Google to use at most that many characters as a text snippet. Google says it applies to all forms of its search results, including AI Overviews and AI Mode, and limits how much content may be used as a direct input for those features.
Two special values exist. `max-snippet:0` means no snippet, the same as `nosnippet`. `max-snippet:-1` lets Google choose the length. If you set no rule, Google chooses.
Google notes one exception. The limit does not apply where a publisher has separately granted permission, such as in-page structured data or a license agreement with Google.
## data-nosnippet: hide parts of a page
`data-nosnippet` is an HTML attribute, not a page-level rule. You add it to specific elements. Google supports it on `span`, `div`, and `section` elements. The rest of the page can still be used for snippets.
Google gives a few rules for using it:
- It is a boolean attribute. Any value you add is ignored.
- The HTML must be valid, with all tags closed. An unclosed `div` hides everything after it.
- Do not add or remove it with JavaScript on existing elements. If JavaScript creates the element, include the attribute from the start.
Bing added support in October 2025. Its [announcement on the Bing Webmaster Blog](https://blogs.bing.com/webmaster/October-2025/Bing-Introduces-Support-for-the-data-nosnippet-HTML-Attribute) says marked content is kept out of Bing Search snippets and AI-generated answers, including Copilot experiences powered by Bing. Bing also says the content is still indexed and available for ranking.
## Where to place the rules
Page-level rules like `nosnippet` and `max-snippet` go in a robots meta tag in the page head. For files that are not HTML, such as PDFs, use the `X-Robots-Tag` HTTP header instead. Google says any rule that works in the meta tag also works in the header.
Google adds that crawlers can only follow these settings if they are allowed to fetch the page. If robots.txt blocks the page, the rule is never read.
When rules conflict, Google applies the more restrictive one. A page with `max-snippet:50` and `nosnippet` gets no snippet.
## Snippet controls and AI answers
Many site owners now ask how these rules affect AI answers. Stick to what each search engine documents. Google documents that `nosnippet` and `max-snippet` apply to AI Overviews and AI Mode as described above. Bing documents that `data-nosnippet` keeps marked content out of its AI-generated answers.
Blocking text from snippets also removes it as a source people might see. If your goal is to appear in AI answers, these rules work against you. The [guide to showing up in ChatGPT and AI answers](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/ai-seo/show-up-in-chatgpt-ai-answers/) covers that goal.
## When a snippet control is the wrong fix
Sometimes a team adds `nosnippet` because Google shows an odd snippet. Usually the better fix is a clearer description or clearer page text. Google’s guide to [controlling snippets](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/snippet) explains how it builds snippets and how to write good descriptions.
The same is true for repeated text. If many pages show the same snippet, the cause is often a template. See the [guide to duplicate title tags and meta descriptions](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/duplicate-title-tags/). On archive pages, a weak snippet often means the archive needs a short intro; the [guide to category page title tags](https://www.getdexseo.com/blog/seo-titles-and-snippets/category-page-title-tags/) covers that.
## Worked example: three goals, three controls
_Fictional example._ An imaginary training company has three needs:
- A page with a short exam answer key should not show any text in results. They use `nosnippet` on that page.
- Course pages show long snippets that give away the full outline. They set `max-snippet:160`.
- A cookie notice keeps appearing in snippets. They wrap it in a `div` with `data-nosnippet`.
Every other page keeps the default. Google chooses the snippet length there.
## Where DEX fits
DEX connects search research, content planning, article writing, and publishing on the connected site. Snippet rules are page settings. Review them with your developer, and check the live page after any change.
## Goal-to-control table
| Goal | Control | Where it goes | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Remove the page from search | `noindex` (not a snippet rule) | Robots meta tag or X-Robots-Tag | The page will not appear at all |
| Show no text snippet for the page | `nosnippet` or `max-snippet:0` | Robots meta tag or X-Robots-Tag | Result shows no summary |
| Limit snippet length | `max-snippet:[number]` | Robots meta tag or X-Robots-Tag | Shorter summaries; limits direct use in Google’s AI features |
| Hide one part of a page | `data-nosnippet` | On a `span`, `div`, or `section` | That part will not be quoted in snippets |
| Control a PDF or other file | `X-Robots-Tag` header | HTTP response header | Needs server or CDN access |
| Fix an odd snippet | Usually none; improve the description or page text | Page content | Takes editing time |
## Code snippets
**1\. Robots meta tag** (in the page head):
```
```
**2\. X-Robots-Tag header** (for a PDF or other file):
```
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Type: application/pdf
X-Robots-Tag: nosnippet
```
**3\. data-nosnippet attribute** (on part of a page):
```
This text can appear in a snippet.
This notice will not appear in snippets.
```
## FAQ
### Is nosnippet the same as noindex?
No. noindex removes the page from results; nosnippet removes only the text snippet.
### Does nosnippet affect AI Overviews?
Google says nosnippet applies to AI Overviews and AI Mode and prevents direct use as input.
### Does Bing support data-nosnippet?
Yes. Bing announced support in October 2025 for search snippets and AI answers.
## Sources
- [Robots meta tag, data-nosnippet, and X-Robots-Tag specifications](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/robots-meta-tag) — Google
- [Control your snippets in search results](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/snippet) — Google
- [Bing Introduces Support for the data-nosnippet HTML Attribute](https://blogs.bing.com/webmaster/October-2025/Bing-Introduces-Support-for-the-data-nosnippet-HTML-Attribute) — Microsoft Bing