Title Tags

What are title tags?

Title tags are the HTML elements used to specify the title of your webpage. They are the clickable title of a webpage that appears on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Title tags are also sometimes referred to as website titles or HTML titles. These tags also appear at the top of browser tabs.

What are title tags in SEO?

Title tags appear both on the SERP and on browser tabs. They help users understand what your web page is about and how relevant it is to their search queries. They also benefit your SEO (search engine optimization) strategy by including targeted keywords related to the search.

How to write the perfect title tag

When written well, title tags can positively impact both your SEO strategy and user experience. Here are a few tips on how to write an effective title tag.

Optimize the length of your title tag

The optimal length for a title tag is between 50-60 characters long. Any longer and Google with truncate the tag and users will be unable to see the full title. Write your titles as close to 50-60 characters as possible, as very short titles can also limit the information a search engine can use to gather context for the page.

Describe the content of your page

An effective title tag should clearly describe the content a user will find on your page and should do so using appropriately targeted keywords.

Create unique title tags

Duplicate title tags can confuse search engines because they can’t properly rank one page compared to another. This effectively leads to poor page ranking for all duplicate pages.

Use headline case, not all-caps

Avoid using all-caps in your title tag formatting. Standard practice is to capitalize the first letter of each word. This is easier for users to read and appears less overwhelming on the SERP.

Include targeted keywords in your title tags

Title tags that include targeted keywords can improve search rankings by signifying relevance to what users are searching. Write naturally with your keywords, and avoid adding too many to the point that the title becomes confusing. Wherever possible include long-tail keyword variations. These often have low individual search volume, but an extensive total search demand due to the keyword combinations within the phrase.

Why title tags are important for SEO

Title tags are an important facet of an SEO strategy because they satisfy search engine requirements while providing a positive user experience. Here are three key benefits of title tags in SEO.

Title tags serve as headlines.

On the Search Engine Results Page (SERP), title tags act as a headline, summarizing your page’s content and attracting users to go to your page. It’s often the first impression a user will have of your website.

Title tags set user expectations.

Title tags tell users and search engines what to expect from your web page. When properly described, title tags help set accurate expectations for users about what they will encounter on your web page. The more accurately your title tag describes your content, the easier it is for a user to see if what you have is what they need.

Title tags boost brand awareness.

Including your brand in title tags improves brand awareness. People are more likely to click on a search result from a brand they know and trust. The more users see your brand listed on the SERP, the more familiar they become with it, and the more likely they are to choose your brand over another.