In an HTML document, what are meta tags used for and where are they typically placed within the page structure?

Introduction / Context:
Meta tags are a core part of every well structured HTML page. Although they are not visible content for users, they play a key role in search engine optimisation, correct rendering on different devices, and providing information about the document to browsers and external services. Interviewers often ask what meta tags are used for and where they belong in the HTML structure to ensure that a candidate understands basic page setup and SEO friendly development.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are working with standard HTML or HTML5 documents rendered in web browsers.
• Meta tags use the meta element and are normally written inside the head element.
• Common meta tags include charset, description, keywords, author, and viewport.
• The question focuses on purpose and location, not on every possible meta attribute.

Concept / Approach:
Meta tags provide metadata about the HTML document. This metadata is machine readable information that helps user agents such as browsers, search engines, and social platforms understand how to handle and interpret the page. For example, the charset meta tag tells the browser which character encoding to use, while the viewport meta tag helps control layout on mobile devices. These tags live inside the head section because they should be processed before the body content is rendered.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the basic HTML structure with html, head, and body elements. Step 2: Remember that tags such as meta charset and meta name="viewport" are always placed inside the head element, not in the body. Step 3: Understand that meta tags provide metadata, such as description for search engine snippets, keywords, author information, and instructions for robots. Step 4: Note that some meta tags influence how content is displayed, such as the viewport tag controlling scaling and width on mobile screens. Step 5: Compare the options and choose the one that describes meta tags as head section elements that supply metadata for browsers and search engines. Step 6: Confirm that option a is accurate and aligns with standard HTML practices.

Verification / Alternative check:
A practical way to verify is to open the source of a well developed website and look at the head section. You will typically see meta tags for character set, viewport, description, and sometimes Open Graph or Twitter card metadata. These tags do not appear in the body, and they do not show text directly on the screen, which confirms their metadata role and head location. Browser developer tools also show meta information in panels related to document information and SEO rather than in the visual layout tree.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is wrong because meta tags are not used to create visible headings or paragraphs and are not placed in the body in correct HTML structure. Option c is incorrect because audio and video embedding is done with audio, video, or object elements, not meta. Option d is wrong because meta tags are not ignored; browsers and search engines actively read them to determine encoding, viewport behaviour, and indexing instructions.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to forget important meta tags such as the viewport tag, which can cause a site to render poorly on mobile devices. Another pitfall is to misuse meta keywords, believing they have strong impact on modern search engines, while in practice they are often ignored. Developers sometimes also duplicate conflicting meta tags, leading to unpredictable behaviour. Consistently placing well chosen meta tags in the head section is a best practice that supports both usability and SEO for HTML documents.

Final Answer:
Meta tags are placed inside the head section and provide metadata such as character set, description, keywords, and viewport information for browsers and search engines.