The title of a digital document is the title element that is commonly called a title tag. These tags are reported when queries have been completed, and a search engine results page (SERP) has been displayed. Title tag snippets appear on SERPs to highlight or provide a preview of the content available on any given webpage. Title tags are important for search engine optimization (SEO) and social media sharing. The title tag or element is most useful when it concisely represents the content on the page on which it is attached. Proper title tags aid in user experience on the page and proper indexing by search engine bots. Title tags help ensure relevancy while promoting page browsing and accurate SERPs. Title tags should include the primary keyword, the secondary keyword and the name of the domain or company.
Google only uses the first 50 -60 characters of the title tag, so they should be kept to around 55 characters. Search engines, to better match the content and category of a brand or company, occasionally rewrite title tags.
Code Sample
<head>
<title>Example Title</title>
</head>
The Importance Of Title Tags In SEO
The main text that describes the content of an online document is the title tag. These elements are considered by many to be one of the most important parts of any SEO configuration. Content is considered to be the most important element of SEO, and because title tags are content descriptors, they rank fairly high in importance. Title tags show up in three different places on the web: on SERPs, browsers, and on external websites.
SERPs
Keywords used in title tags are highlighted in search results if the keywords were entered into the search box. There is a higher click through rate associated with pages that have keyword rich title tags.
Browsers
in the top of a browser you can typically find title tags, and they can additionally be found in browser tabs.
External Websites
most outside websites use title tags as anchor text links for content.
Creating Optimized Tags
Title tags are such an important aspect of creating a good SEO website; it’s important to make certain all title tags are high impact. Below are the best recommendations for creating optimized tags for search engine usage.
Adhere To Length Regulations
Google only allows title tags to range between 50-60 characters. If the title is outside of the regulation, the search engine will shorten it with ellipsis marks to indicate that the title has been abridged. Length rules should be followed whenever possible, but in certain circumstances longer titles are beneficial, for example in social media sharing title tags help with ranking. The rule should be applied on a case-by-case basis. The first goal of writing title tags is creating an engaging title that will translate in conversions and click-throughs.
Titles Should Employ Keywords In The Beginning
The closer keywords fall to the beginning of the title tag, the better it fairs for ranking stats. It also leads to better click-through rates for links.
Brand Your Title Tag
Companies with well-known brand names should lead with their brand instead of the keyword, but the converse is true if it’s a little-known brand. A company should also lead with the brand name if the keyword is a less relevant term than the brand name. The gist of the rule is that it’s best to with the strongest phrase set.
Create Compelling Easily Read Title Tags
The most effective title tags are those that are compelling enough to entice users into clicking on the link and visiting the site just from a search result listing. A title tag is the first interaction that users have with the brand, and the title tag should embody the best traits of the company.
External Resources
- The official W3Schools documentation on title tags. HTML Title Tag
- This is a short explaining title tags, hosted and produced by the Quality Assurance Interest Group at W3C. the most important element of a quality Web page
