How to optmise your website's titles to achieve great ranks
20th August 2025
posted 20th August 2025
What is the page title?
The page title—also called the title tag—is a piece of HTML code that defines the title of a webpage. It appears in three key places:
- The browser tab when someone opens the page.
- The search engine results page (SERP), as the main blue link.
- The title bar or window of most browsers and devices.
Unlike the meta description, the page title is often both seen by users and considered by search engines as a key ranking factor. It helps users and search engines understand what the page is about.
How important is the page title?
The page title is one of the most important elements for SEO. Search engines use it to determine the topic and relevance of a page. A clear, well-written page title can improve both your search ranking and the click-through rate from search results.
Key reasons it’s important:
✅ Google heavily weighs it when indexing and ranking pages.
✅ It’s the first thing users see in search results.
✅ It sets expectations for the content they’re about to read.
✅ A well-crafted title helps improve engagement and reduces bounce rate.
However, similar to meta descriptions, Google may sometimes rewrite the title in search results if it thinks a different version is more relevant to the search query.
How do I optimise my page title?
Writing a strong page title is part SEO and part copywriting. Here’s what to keep in mind:
✅ Keep it under 60 characters to avoid it being cut off in search results.
✅ Put the most important keywords near the beginning.
✅ Clearly describe the content of the page—avoid vague or generic wording.
✅ Use natural language—something a human would want to click.
✅ For brand pages, consider the format: Page topic | Company Name.
✅ Ensure each page has a unique title.
And avoid the following:
❌ Don’t stuff keywords.
❌ Don’t repeat words unnecessarily.
❌ Don’t leave it blank or use the same title across many pages.
How do I technically add a page title?
If you have access to your page’s code, the title tag should be placed within the <head> section of the HTML:
<title>Your page title goes here</title>
In most content management systems (CMS), there is a field for entering the page title, often found under “SEO” or “Page Settings”. In some systems, the title is automatically generated based on the page name, but you can usually override it for better control.
Final tips
Your page title is not just for search engines—it’s your headline in search results, your first impression, and often your entry point for new visitors. Investing a few extra minutes into crafting each title properly can make a meaningful difference to both your search performance and user engagement.
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