SEO Page Titles

Understanding Page Titles for SEO

Page titles, in SEO, are the forefront of your website’s identity on the internet. They are the clickable headlines that users see in search engine results and are crucial for both search engine algorithms and user experience. 

SEO page titles (also sometimes called meta page titles, SEO titles or title tags) are HTML elements that provide a concise description of a webpage’s content. Page titles are critical for SEO for two reasons; firstly, because they are used by search engines to understand the thematic essence of the page and determine its relevance to search queries and second, because page titles also play a significant role in the user’s experience, as they are the first line of text displayed in search engine results pages (SERPs), acting as a deciding factor for users when choosing which link to click on. 

Page titles are defined within the <title> tag, a crucial element placed in the head section of a webpage’s HTML document. This tag is specifically designed to hold the title of the document, which browsers display in their title bar or tab. From a technical standpoint, the <title> tag is a mandatory part of the head section and plays a significant role in both web standards and search engine optimization practices. When search engines crawl a webpage, the content of the <title> tag is used to understand the subject matter of the page, making it a key factor in determining the page’s relevance to search queries. Additionally, the text within the <title> tag is what appears in the clickable link in search engine results pages (SERPs), directly influencing user engagement and click-through rates. Proper use of the <title> tag is essential for SEO, as it helps search engines index pages correctly and improves the visibility of a website in search results.

A well-crafted page title can significantly impact a website’s search engine visibility and click-through rate.

This dual purpose underscores their importance, as they not only guide search engines in understanding the content of a page but also entice users to click through to the website.

SEO Title vs. Post Title

The distinction between an SEO page title and a post title (H1) is vital for effective SEO strategy. While the SEO title appears in search engine results and browser tabs, the post title is the main heading on the page itself. 

Each plays a unique role in attracting and guiding users, with the SEO title aimed at search engines and initial user engagement, and the post title providing structure and context once the user lands on the page.

The Components of a Successful Page Title

A successful page title is crafted with relevance, brevity, and keyword inclusion in mind. It succinctly conveys the essence of the webpage’s content, ensuring that it is directly relevant to the search queries it aims to rank for. The inclusion of keywords is strategic, enhancing the page’s visibility in search engine results without compromising the title’s readability or appeal to potential visitors.

Optimal Width and Length of SEO Titles

The optimal width and length of an SEO title are crucial for ensuring that the entire title is visible in search engine results pages (SERPs) without being truncated. While character count is a helpful guideline, search engines like Google actually measure titles in pixels. The ideal pixel width for SEO titles is up to 600 pixels, which typically translates to between 50 to 60 characters, depending on the width of individual characters used.

This pixel-based measurement is important because it directly affects how much of the title is visible in SERPs. Titles that exceed the 600-pixel limit risk being truncated, meaning that users might not see the full context of what the page is about before clicking. This can impact click-through rates and the overall effectiveness of the title in attracting organic traffic.

The challenge of title length optimization is further complicated by the fact that the truncation point can vary between devices. On mobile devices, the available display width is narrower than on desktops, leading to earlier truncation of titles. This means that while a title might display fully on a desktop, it could be cut off on a mobile device, making the first 50-60 characters even more critical for mobile SEO.

To ensure the title fits within the visible area on most devices, it’s advisable to test how it appears in search results on both desktop and mobile. Tools and plugins designed for SEO can simulate how titles are displayed, helping to fine-tune their length for optimal visibility across devices.

Incorporating Keywords Strategically

Best practices say that when incorporating keywords into your page titles you should;

• Add your keywords as early as possible in your page title.
• Match those keywords with the first H1 on the page (which should be the page/post title). 
• Use your keyword(s) only once in the title
• Use close-match variants to make your title more readable. 
• Keep your page title readable for people despite the need to focus on keywords. 

These best practices however are all based on old studies that may not be relevant anymore or, are the only change that happens to a page title so, their effectiveness may be dubious.

Despite this though it’s best if you do follow these rules and only experiment with them once you have a solid, SEO foundation on your site and some rankings because there is logic behind them. 

1. Add your keywords early in your page title – Adding your keywords towards the beginning of the title ensures they catch both the user’s and the search engine’s attention quickly. Keywords a user searches for are bolded in the SERP to demonstrate their relevance. You don’t want to be the only result that doesn’t have the advantage of a bolded result. 
2. The title should remain natural and readable –  Your page titles are like tiny free ads that you get in Google. It pays to be enticing to users as more exciting page titles tend to get more clicks which leads to more people on your website. 
3. Don’t stuff more than one keyword in your page title – avoid the temptation to overstuff your title with all your keywords. Google will see it is spam and so will users. 
4. Use close-match variants to increase readability – close-match variants of your keyword are understood by Google and users. So loosen up a little and play with the wording of your page titles.
5. Match your keyword in the page title with the first H1 on the page – Consistency is important for Google and for users. If you were to buy a book called “AI for SEO” and then when you opened that book the inside cover said “Why AI for SEO is bad” then you’d understandably be confused. Both the outside and inside cover of the book are about AI for SEO but they have completely different intents and implications to the reader. Your page title and header are the same. This relevance is crucial for providing a good user experience and can help reduce bounce rates, further improving SEO performance.

Crafting Your Page Title

Writing a great page title consists of 4 main steps; 

1. Keyword research
2. Market Research
3. Competitor Research 
4. SERP Research

Keyword Reserach for your page titles should already be done. After all, if you have written content for a page you should know what you are targeting it at. If not, then you can do keyword research for free using tools like Google Keyword Planner or, you can pay for a tool like Rank Tracker. 

It’s important to choose only one main keyword for the page and, to make sure that it closely matches what the page is about. There is no such thing as the “perfect” way to find a keyword if you already have content written but no keyword focus. The best you can do is search for a keyword that is relevant and has some monthly search volume. 

Once you have your keyword go ahead and write out a few page titles for your page. It’s always best to start by writing something before you look at what others are doing. 

If this is your first time writing page titles try writing 3-5 per page until you feel like you have the hang of it. 

SERP research is the next step. Google your main keyword and look at what the Page titles are for people who are ranking in that SERP already. While you look at it ask yourself;

• Are there patterns to the page titles in this SERP?
• Are people using the keyword exactly or, are they using a variation? 
• Do most page titles have the keyword at the beginning of the page title or the end? 
• Are people using branding or boilerplate text in their page titles?
• Do any of the page titles stand out more than others for some reason? Why?
• If you were a user googling this term, would you click your page title over any others you see here?

You’ll have a really good idea of what to write as a page title now and may even have a few that you can’t choose between. On key pages on your site there is one extra step we would recommend instead of  

Crafting your page title begins with thorough keyword research to identify terms that are not only relevant to your content but also used by your target audience in their search queries. This foundational step ensures that the keywords you choose to include are aligned with the search intent of your users, increasing the likelihood of your page being found.

Once you have your keywords, the next step is to construct a title that is both informative and engaging. Start by placing your primary keyword towards the beginning of the title to catch both the user’s and the search engine’s attention. However, it’s crucial to integrate these keywords naturally, ensuring the title reads smoothly and appeals to potential visitors.

Balance is key in title creation. While your title needs to be optimized for search engines, it should also be compelling for users. A well-crafted title offers a clear value proposition, telling users exactly what they can expect to find on the page. It should evoke curiosity or offer solutions, encouraging clicks without resorting to clickbait tactics.

Using AI and Tools for Crafting Titles

Leveraging AI and SEO tools can significantly streamline the page title creation process. Tools like Yoast SEO offer features that analyze your title’s effectiveness, providing feedback on length, keyword inclusion, and readability. Some tools even suggest improvements or generate title options based on your content, making it easier to craft titles that are optimized for both search engines and user engagement.

AI-powered tools can offer a range of creative title suggestions that balance SEO best practices with user interest. These suggestions can serve as a starting point for refining your title, ensuring it meets SEO criteria while also standing out to your audience. However, it’s important to review and tweak AI-generated titles to ensure they accurately reflect the content and tone of your page.