PHP get_meta_tags() Function: Usage and Examples

Use get_meta_tags() when you need to extracts named meta elements from an HTML document read from a path or URL in a PHP application. The examples below show the actual operation and its limitations.

What Is get_meta_tags() in PHP?

Extracts named meta elements from an HTML document read from a path or URL. The exact signature supported by your installation depends on its PHP version and enabled extensions.

Its syntax is:

get_meta_tags(string $filename, bool $use_include_path = ...): array|false

Parameters and return value: The parameter types, optional arguments, references, and return type are shown in the signature above. Optional parameters are marked with an ellipsis in this reference signature.

Example 1: Basic Usage

<?php

$file = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(),"meta_"); file_put_contents($file,"<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sample\">"); print_r(get_meta_tags($file)); unlink($file);

Result: Run the example in an environment that supports the function. Any values depending on operating-system state, installed extensions, process configuration, or network access must be checked on the target server.

Example 2: Different Input or Behavior

<?php

$file = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(),"meta_"); file_put_contents($file,"<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Taylor\">"); echo get_meta_tags($file)["author"]; unlink($file);

Result: Run the example in an environment that supports the function. Any values depending on operating-system state, installed extensions, process configuration, or network access must be checked on the target server.

Practical Example: Applying the Function

<?php

$file = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(),"meta_"); file_put_contents($file,"<html><head><meta name=\"description\" content=\"Catalog\"></head></html>"); $tags = get_meta_tags($file); echo $tags["description"] ?? "Missing"; unlink($file);

Result: Run the example in an environment that supports the function. Any values depending on operating-system state, installed extensions, process configuration, or network access must be checked on the target server.

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

This is not a full HTML parser, and untrusted URLs can introduce SSRF risk.

Comparison With Related Functions

Common Beginner Mistakes

Key Takeaways

• Extracts named meta elements from an HTML document read from a path or URL.
• This is not a full HTML parser, and untrusted URLs can introduce SSRF risk.
• DOMDocument can parse HTML structures more broadly; get_meta_tags() extracts named meta elements.

Use get_meta_tags() for the specific operation demonstrated above. Check its prerequisites and handle failure conditions before using it with production data.