What are title tags?
The best way to optimise title tags is to understand the major role it plays a part in SEO. Title tags are on every webpage in the head section and is an HTML tag that provides context on what a page is all about. It is the first initial cue to search engines and is used to attract visitors to your page.
There are only two places you will see title tags, in a results page and the browser window when you are on a page. Other than those places, it is not visible anywhere else like other web content.
Often title tags are overlooked because of their visibility but are still an important aspect of SEO. An optimised title tag can make all the difference in catching the eye of a user.
There are several factors if you want to optimise title tags. We have made a list of the best practices you can include as part of your SEO strategy.
How to optimise your title tags:
Optimise title tag length
When optimising your title tags you need to be mindful of the length. In general, you should aim to make your title tags 50-60 characters. If your title is larger than the viewable width, search engines may shorten it in results. If Google thinks your title tag is not relevant, they may automatically provide you with a different title altogether.
The idea around a shorter title is that it is easier for users to read and search engines crawlers. Studies also show that title tags with 15 and 40 characters have an 8.6% higher Click Through Rate.
Include your keyword (if possible)
For the best results, try to include your keyword in your title tag. On average, Most searches have a length of 3 words, so it might make a difference to include your keyword in your title tag. In saying that, make sure that your keyword placement looks organic and makes sense.
Write Title Tags with User Intent in mind
It’s crucial to keep in mind that above all, title tags should be for humans. The main goal of your title tags is to attract users who are searching for your product/services. It is vital to keep in mind what is your users’ search intent when searching your keywords.
Even if your page ranks high in SERP, a have a poorly written title can discourage users from clicking to your website. It’s best to align your SEO goals with searcher intent and provide the best user experience. It will not only help you reach your goals but help you become more successful in search engine results.
Bad SEO practices such as writing misleading or click-bait titles add no value to your SEO efforts. It will cause bounce rates to increase, which will indicate to Google that your page is not useful to your users.
Avoid Making Your H1 Page Heading the same as your Title Tag
Did you know that you can use you can have two different sets of focus keywords in your title tag and H1? This simple trick can enhance your SEO. Just make sure your title tag is optimised because Google will count the title tag as the heading.
It is also helpful for SEO platforms like SEMrush, as having the same Title tag and H1 heading can flag a “duplicate content” error.
Make unique title tags
Different pages require individual and descriptive titles, meaning you should copy titles from your other pages. Avoiding duplicate title tags will not only help search engines but visitors. If you have made a page with the same title, you will see them on Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster tools.
Unique title tags also set you apart from your competition, giving you the chance to make better title tags and attract more traffic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, title tags play a critical role in your SEO strategy. Optimise title tags by understanding your audience search intent and providing the best on-page experience. If you have not yet optimised your title tags, you can now start with these helpful pointers.
