In HTML, what are meta tags used for inside the head section of a web page?

Introduction / Context:
Meta tags are a standard part of the head section in HTML documents and are widely used for search engine optimization, responsive design, and specifying document metadata. While they are not directly visible in the page content, they play an important role in how browsers and search engines interpret and display a site. Interview questions often ask about meta tags to ensure that candidates understand their purpose and typical usage in real world web projects.

Given Data / Assumptions:
Meta tags appear in the head element of an HTML page.They provide metadata such as character encoding, viewport settings, description, and keywords.The question asks which statement best describes what meta tags are used for.We are not focusing on every individual meta tag, only the general purpose.

Concept / Approach:
Meta tags store metadata, which is data about the document rather than content that appears directly on the page. Examples include specifying the character set, instructing search engines about indexing behavior, and defining the viewport width for mobile devices. Browsers use meta information to render the document correctly and to apply security or compatibility settings, while search engines use it to understand the content and context of the page. Therefore, meta tags are relevant both to browsers and to search engines, not only to one or the other.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, recall that a typical head section includes meta tags for charset, viewport, and description.Next, recognize that search engines read meta descriptions and directives from these tags to decide how to index and present the page.Then, note that browsers use certain meta tags, such as charset and viewport, to render the page correctly and handle device scaling.After that, compare the options and look for the one that acknowledges both audiences: browsers and search engines.Finally, observe that option A explicitly mentions information relevant to both browsers and search engines, making it the best description.

Verification / Alternative check:
Examples from real sites show meta tags like meta name="description" content="..." and meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1". Documentation explains that search engines use the description for search result snippets, and browsers use the viewport tag to adjust layout on mobile devices. This dual role demonstrates that meta tags serve both kinds of consumers. None of the standard references say that meta tags are only for browsers or only for search engines, confirming option A as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B limits meta tags to browser related information, ignoring their importance for search engines. Option C restricts them to search engines only, which is also incomplete because many meta tags never affect indexing but do affect rendering. Option D claims that they store information about external links, which is usually expressed through anchor tags or link elements instead. Option E suggests that meta tags define server side scripting logic, which is incorrect because server side logic is implemented in languages such as PHP or Java, not in meta tags.

Common Pitfalls:
Some developers neglect meta tags and rely only on visible content, which can hurt search visibility and mobile usability. Others overuse meta keywords, which modern search engines largely ignore, while forgetting more useful tags such as description or viewport. There is also a tendency to copy meta tags blindly without understanding what they do, leading to misconfigured character sets or robots directives. A clear understanding that meta tags provide structured metadata for browsers and search engines helps avoid these issues and leads to better configured pages.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is: To store information usually relevant to browsers and search engines.