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How to Write a Good SEO Title

One of the most crucial elements into optimising a page is the SEO title. In this guide, we will show you what an SEO title is, how to craft a compelling one, the significance of avoiding duplication, and a step-by-step guide on editing your page’s SEO title using the YoastSEO Plugin.

Written by

Will Robertson-Brown

November 2023

What is an SEO Title?

An SEO title, also known as a title tag, plays a pivotal role in helping search engines understand the content of a webpage. It is an HTML element that specifies the title of a web page and is displayed on search engine results pages (SERPs) as the clickable headline for a given result. Google utilises this title to gauge the relevancy of a page in relation to a user’s search query, making it a vital component for SEO.

The SEO title is more than just a ranking factor; it also serves as a first impression for users. A well-crafted title can increase the click-through rate, enticing users to visit your website over others listed in the SERPs.

How to Create a Good SEO Title

Crafting an effective SEO title requires a balance between incorporating relevant keywords and creating a compelling message that resonates with users. A recommended structure to follow is ‘Keyword 1 – Keyword 2 | Brand Name’. This structure ensures that your title is not only SEO-friendly but also presents your brand prominently.

How to Create a Good SEO Title Crafting an effective SEO title requires a balance between incorporating relevant keywords and creating a compelling message that resonates with users. A recommended structure to follow is ‘Keyword 1 - Keyword 2 | Brand Name’. This structure ensures that your title is not only SEO-friendly but also presents your brand prominently. Start with Primary Keywords: Identify the main keyword that is most relevant to the content of your page. These should be terms that users are likely to input when searching for information related to your content. Be Descriptive Yet Concise: Your title should provide a clear insight into the content of the page. Aim for a length of 50-60 characters to ensure that your title is not cut off in the SERPs. Include Your Brand Name: Integrating your brand name in the title adds a layer of trust and recognition, especially if your brand is well-known in your industry. Even after the last update, Google may not show your brand name at the end of the SEO Title but it is still best practise to put it there as it still helps with ranking. How to Edit Your Page's SEO Title Using YoastSEO Plugin Editing your SEO title is a straightforward process with the YoastSEO Plugin, a popular choice for WordPress users. Follow these steps to ensure that your titles are optimised for search engines: Step 1 - Navigate to the Page or Post: Go to the WordPress dashboard, find the page or post you wish to edit, and click on it. Step 2 - Scroll Down to YoastSEO Section: Once in the editor, scroll down until you find the YoastSEO section. Step 3 - Click on ‘SEO Title’: In the YoastSEO section, find and click on the ‘SEO Title’ box. Step 4 - Edit and Optimise: Input your optimised title using the structure recommended earlier. As you type, YoastSEO will provide real-time feedback on the length and relevance of your title. Step 5 - Save Changes: Once satisfied with your SEO title, save the changes to update your page or post. Do Duplicate Page Titles Affect SEO? Yes, duplicate page titles can have a detrimental impact on your site’s SEO performance. When multiple pages have the same or highly similar titles, it creates confusion for search engines in determining which page to rank for a particular query. This can lead to a dilution of ranking signals, resulting in lower visibility on SERPs for both pages. To mitigate this issue, ensure that each page on your website has a unique and descriptive SEO title that accurately reflects the content of the page. In summary, the SEO title is a crucial element in your website’s SEO strategy, serving as a guide for search engines and a first impression for users. Crafting a good SEO title requires a blend of relevancy, clarity, and branding. Remember to avoid duplicate titles across your site, and utilise tools like the YoastSEO Plugin to fine-tune your titles for optimal performance. By adhering to these guidelines, you are setting the stage for improved visibility and engagement, paving the way for a successful online presence.

Start with Primary Keywords: Identify the main keyword that is most relevant to the content of your page. These should be terms that users are likely to input when searching for information related to your content.

Be Descriptive Yet Concise: Your title should provide a clear insight into the content of the page. Aim for a length of 50-60 characters to ensure that your title is not cut off in the SERPs.

Include Your Brand Name: Integrating your brand name in the title adds a layer of trust and recognition, especially if your brand is well-known in your industry. Even after the last update, Google may not show your brand name at the end of the SEO Title but it is still best practice to put it there as it still helps with ranking.

How to Edit Your Page’s SEO Title Using YoastSEO Plugin

Editing your SEO title is a straightforward process with the YoastSEO Plugin, a popular choice for WordPress users. Follow these steps to ensure that your titles are optimised for search engines:

Step 1 – Navigate to the Page or Post: Go to the WordPress dashboard, find the page or post you wish to edit, and click on it.

Step 2 – Scroll Down to YoastSEO Section: Once in the editor, scroll down until you find the YoastSEO section.

Step 3 – Click on ‘SEO Title’: In the YoastSEO section, find and click on the ‘SEO Title’ box.

Step 4 – Edit and Optimise: Input your optimised title using the structure recommended earlier. As you type, YoastSEO will provide real-time feedback on the length and relevance of your title.

Step 5 – Save Changes: Once satisfied with your SEO title, save the changes to update your page or post.

Do Duplicate Page Titles Affect SEO?

Yes, duplicate page titles can have a detrimental impact on your site’s SEO performance. When multiple pages have the same or highly similar titles, it creates confusion for search engines in determining which page to rank for a particular query. This can lead to a dilution of ranking signals, resulting in lower visibility on SERPs for both pages.

To mitigate this issue, ensure that each page on your website has a unique and descriptive SEO title that accurately reflects the content of the page.

In summary, the SEO title is a crucial element in your website’s SEO strategy, serving as a guide for search engines and a first impression for users. Crafting a good SEO title requires a blend of relevancy, clarity, and branding. Remember to avoid duplicate titles across your site, and utilise tools like the YoastSEO Plugin to fine-tune your titles for optimal performance. By adhering to these guidelines, you are setting the stage for improved visibility and engagement, paving the way for a successful online presence.

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