How do you know it is the one you are searching for? Title tags make the first impression, and these are the clickable headlines you see on the search engine results page.
Your target audience would not know you have the solution to their problems if your title is not displayed on SERP. It is a crucial element for every web page as it shows a snippet of its content.
Moreover, the title tag helps search engines understand the content of your web page. That’s why title tags have to be SEO-friendly and accurately describe the page content.
This is how title tags appear in Google search results:
Importance of Title Tag
Users get the first impression from your title tags.
Visible in Search Engine Page Results
When users search on the web, the first thing that catches their attention is the title tag. Title tags are shown as clickable headlines on SERP and have a meta description summarising the page content.
Title tags are crucial in bringing in more readers to your page. It should be enticing so users click-through your web page from the SERP.
So even though you have a high search rank, your displayed title tag determines whether your target audience clicks the link.
Found on Web Browsers
Title tags are displayed on top of the web browser window. It acts as a placeholder for users who open multiple tabs. That’s why it is best to create a unique title tag to ensure the user does not lose sight of your content. Moreover, it is recommended to place your main keyword in the first part of your title.
Links on Social Networks
Some readers who found your content on SERP share it on their social media. Social networks use the title tags to determine what to display when your page is shared.
Moreover, social media platforms have their meta tags. You can specify the title that is different from the HTML title tag. It allows you to optimise for each social media platform. You can provide longer titles if you feel beneficial when posted on social media.
Why did Google not display my title tag?
You might have noticed that Google did not display your title tags as you have marked them in your HTML. It can be confusing, frustrating, or worrying why Google did not display your title tags. But, we are faced with the hard truth that we cannot force the search engines to use the title tag you have created.
Although you can change it accordingly, if this happens, one of these may be the reasons:
Keyword-Stuffed Title
Google rewrites overly optimised title tags; avoid stuffing your titles with keywords. Moreover, Google is sensitive to title tags with phrases combined with delimiters. That’s why it is best to have your title optimised for your searchers intent.
Long Titles
Google shortens long titles. It takes a portion of the title or uses other text on the page. Although this is not something to worry about, it is best to consider how title tags appear on search engine results pages.
Relevance Issues
Google rewrites title tags that do not match the searcher’s intent or are stuffed with marketing phrases that do not reflect the content. Thus, ensure your title tags are relevant according to their content.
Alternative Title
Google rewrites title tags that do not match the searcher’s intent or are stuffed with marketing phrases that do not reflect the content. Thus, ensure your title tags are relevant according to their content.
How to Create SEO-Friendly and Effective Title Tag
Now that you know title tags are a crucial element in search engine and user experience, you have to create an SEO-friendly and effective one. Here are a few suggestions to create unique title tags for search ranking and visibility goals.
Optimise Title Length
Search engines only display 60-character long title tags. If your title exceeds the minimum number of character counts, it displays the title by removing words and adding an ellipsis or rewriting it entirely.
Although the general rule is to write titles under 60 characters, the display limit is quite complicated as it is based on a 600-pixel container. It makes some characters take up more space. That’s why avoid using all caps titles; aside from being informal and hard to read, it severely affects the character limit Google can display.
Other times, search engines display a different title, or cut off the text and add the brand name. It’s frustrating to see your title tags rewritten; check out the other tips to prevent this from happening.
Long titles work better on social media sharing. However, penalties occur for long titles in SERP. That’s why it is best to use your judgement in how your titles appear in search results.
Use One Primary Keyword, Put it First
Keyword stuffing results in penalties. Avoid using keywords that only lists phrases or variations of the same keywords.
Research for primary keywords and look for their related long-tail keywords. Your primary keyword may take a long time to rank higher, but the long-tail variation helps get your website more traffic.
Search engines are becoming better at understanding keyword variations. That’s why it is best to do keyword research to know which keywords your web page will rank best.
Put your keywords closer to the first part of your title tags. It shows people may scan a few of the first two words of the headline. That’s why it is the most recommended title structure.
Take Advantage of Brand
If you manage a well-known brand, add the brand to your title. It may help increase your click-through rates. Most web owners place their brand at the end of the title.
Grabs Audience Attention
Your title tags should grab your target audience’s intent and pain points. Although SEO is important, you must remember that you are writing for your audience and not for the algorithm.
Make your title page and meta description enticing to attract clicks from your targeted audience. It is essential to think about the user’s experience when creating your title tags. Remember, it is the first interaction with your target audience and brand through organic search.
Convey a positive and accurate message from your title tags to the body content.
Title Tag Should Be Different from the H1 Page Heading
Title tags and H1 page heading have entirely different HTML tags; thus, search engines view them differently. New content creators or web owners are confused because the title and H1 page heading are often the same.
From a copy point of view, the texts are the same. It is a standard practice used in most web pages as it helps maintain consistency and clarity between the title and page content. Target audiences click the headline title from the search engine results page, and they expect to have the same or at least similar content title.
So, how do you know which the title and H1 tags are? The title tag is displayed on the SERP and platforms where the content is shared. Meanwhile, the H1 tag is only displayed on the actual page.
Do not confuse yourself with the title shown on the tab browser; it is the title tag.
You can also optimise your tag by using two keywords, one for the title tag and the other for the H1 page heading. Applying these changes improves your SEO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Title Tag
How long should a title tag be?
Keep your title tags under 60 characters. If your title tag is longer, the whole title is not visible on SERP. Worse, Google may shorten your title.
Does title tag matter for SEO?
Title tags are essential for SEO. It shows the page or article title and the content topic. Your target audience gets their first impression from your title tag. That’s why it is essential to have an SEO-friendly and clickable title to invite the audience to visit your page.
How many keywords should a title tag have?
A title tag has to be straightforward. Do not over-optimise your title tag. Use only one keyword to ensure Google acknowledges your title tag.
What’s the difference between title tag and meta description?
The title tag appears in the first line; it consists of the article title or web page title and website name. Your title tag should not exceed 60 characters to make the full length visible on SERP. Meanwhile, the meta description comes after. It is sometimes 2 lines long and does not exceed 160 characters.
How to write an SEO-friendly title tag?
Keep your title tag short and straightforward, and only use the main keyword on the title.
Final Takeaway
We always come to a point where SEO is a headache. Although it should not be, it is challenging to keep up with ever-changing algorithms, and you have to tailor your business needs accordingly.
Knowing digital marketing and learning the right SEO practices does not stop in a few years of experience. The journey continues; you have to learn the ropes and master them. Everything is complicated at first, but it becomes easy once you grip the situation.
Here in Blue Water Digital, we make SEO clear and easily understandable. However, there are moments when you need extra help. If you feel the warning signs your agency needs an SEO partnership, do not hesitate to contact us.
It only takes a few minutes to discuss your situation; this could be your gamechanger.