Page Title (Title Tag)

Why It Matters

• It is a direct ranking signal. Search engines use the title tag to understand what a page covers. Pages with relevant, well-written titles are more likely to rank for the terms they contain.
• It drives click-through rates. In search results, the title is the largest and most prominent element. A compelling title that clearly matches the searcher's intent gets more clicks than a vague or generic one.
• It identifies pages in browser tabs. When users have multiple tabs open, the title tag is how they find your page. A descriptive title helps users return to your tab, while "Untitled" or your brand name alone leaves them guessing.
• It appears in social shares. When someone shares your page on social media, the title tag often becomes the headline of the shared post. A good title makes shares look professional and enticing.

How to Write a Great One

1. Keep it under 60 characters. Search engines truncate titles longer than about 60 characters. Put the most important information at the beginning so it is always visible, even if the end gets cut off.
2. Put the primary keyword near the front. Leading with your target keyword signals relevance immediately to both search engines and users. "Blue Running Shoes | Nike" is better than "Nike | Our Blue Running Shoes Collection."
3. Make every page title unique. Each page on your site should have a distinct title that reflects its specific content. Duplicate titles across pages make it hard for search engines to differentiate them and for users to know which result to click.
4. Be specific and descriptive. "Services" tells users nothing. "Web Design Services for Small Business | Liquid Purple" tells them exactly what the page offers. Specificity wins clicks.
5. Include your brand name. Add your brand name at the end of the title, separated by a pipe or dash. This builds brand recognition in search results without taking up prime space at the beginning.

Common Mistakes

• Using the same title on every page. If every page on your site has the same title, search engines cannot tell them apart and users cannot identify which result matches their needs. Unique titles for unique pages.
• Keyword stuffing the title. "SEO Tips SEO Guide SEO Services SEO Help" is unreadable and looks spammy. Use your keyword once, naturally, and spend the rest of the characters providing context and value.
• Writing titles that are too long. Search engines cut off long titles mid-sentence. The truncated text often looks awkward or incomplete. Stay under 60 characters to ensure your full title is displayed.
• Using vague or generic titles. "Home," "Welcome," "Page 1," or just your company name provides no information about the page content. Be specific about what the user will find on the page.