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Title Tag

FigureWhere the Title Tag appears. It is the most prominent ranking factor for on-page SEO.

What is a Title Tag?

The title tag is arguably the single most important on-page SEO element. It is an HTML element that defines the title of your webpage and appears in three key places: search engine results (as the clickable blue link), the browser tab, and social media posts when your page is shared.

The title tag is placed inside the <head> section of your HTML document and is one of the first things search engines evaluate when determining what your page is about.

Why Title Tags Matter for SEO

1. Primary Ranking Factor

Google uses the title tag as one of its primary signals for understanding page content. While Google considers hundreds of ranking factors, the title tag remains one of the most influential for on-page SEO. A well-optimized title tag that matches search intent can significantly impact your rankings.

2. First Impression in Search Results

The title tag is the first thing potential visitors see in search results. It serves as your page's headline and determines whether someone clicks through to your site or chooses a competitor. A compelling, relevant title dramatically improves click-through rates.

3. Brand Recognition

Title tags typically end with a brand name (e.g., " | YourBrand"), reinforcing brand identity across all search appearances. This consistency builds recognition and trust over time.

Code Example

html
<head>
  <title>Free SEO Audit Tool - Check Your Website Ranking | Mygom</title>
</head>

The title tag should be unique for every page on your site. Using the same title across multiple pages creates confusion for search engines and users alike.

Title Tag Best Practices

Front-Load Important Keywords

Put your most important keyword near the beginning of the title. Search engines and users pay more attention to the first few words. If your title gets truncated, you want the important information to remain visible.

Good: "SEO Audit Tool - Free Website Analysis | Brand"

Bad: "Brand | Our Amazing Free SEO Audit Tool for Websites"

Optimal Length

Keep your title under 60 characters or 580 pixels to prevent truncation in search results. Google displays different lengths depending on the characters used (wider characters take more space), so pixel width is technically more accurate than character count.

When Google truncates your title, it adds an ellipsis (...), which can cut off important information and look unprofessional.

Include Your Brand

Append your brand name at the end of the title, separated by a pipe (|) or dash (-). This reinforces brand recognition without taking space from your primary message.

For homepage titles, you might lead with your brand name since brand searches are navigational.

Maintain Uniqueness

Every page on your website needs a unique title tag. Duplicate title tags are a common technical SEO error that:

  • Confuses search engines about which page to rank
  • Creates a poor user experience in search results
  • Wastes crawl budget on redundant content

Match Search Intent

Your title should accurately reflect your page content and match what users expect to find. Misleading titles might get initial clicks but lead to high bounce rates, which ultimately hurts rankings.

Common Title Tag Mistakes

Keyword Stuffing

Bad: "SEO Tools | SEO Software | SEO Audit | SEO Checker | Free SEO"

Cramming multiple keywords into your title looks spammy and provides a poor user experience. Focus on one primary keyword and make the title readable.

Generic Titles

Bad: "Home" or "Products" or "Welcome"

These titles provide no value to users or search engines. Every title should describe the specific page content.

Ignoring Character Limits

Titles that exceed 60 characters get truncated, often cutting off important information. Always preview how your title appears in search results.

Missing Brand Name

While not always critical, omitting your brand name misses an opportunity for brand recognition, especially for informational content that might rank for many queries.

Title Tag vs H1 Tag

The title tag and H1 tag are often confused but serve different purposes:

  • Title Tag: Appears in search results, browser tabs, and social shares. Optimized for search engines and click-through rate.
  • H1 Tag: Appears on the page itself as the main heading. Optimized for on-page readability.

These can be identical or slightly different. The H1 can be longer and more descriptive since it is not constrained by SERP display limits.

Google May Rewrite Your Title

Google sometimes modifies title tags in search results if it believes a different title better serves users. This typically happens when:

  • The title is too long
  • The title does not match the page content
  • The title is keyword-stuffed
  • The query calls for a different aspect of the page

While you cannot prevent this entirely, writing accurate, well-optimized titles reduces the chance of Google rewriting them.

Testing and Monitoring Titles

Use tools like Google Search Console to see how your pages appear in search results. You can also use SERP preview tools to visualize how your title will display before publishing.

Track click-through rates for your pages. Low CTR on well-ranking pages often indicates a title tag problem that needs optimization.