SEO Title Width Check

What is an SEO title?

It’s easy to confuse the SEO title with H1 headers on your webpages but we are here to help. Your h1 heading is what appears on the page in the content section while the SEO title is displayed in the page tab of your browser. It is also displayed as the first thing in search results. Whenever you google something, it shows you a list of matching webpages in the following format:

1. a) In blue (or purple if you have already visited that page): the SEO title of a webpage technically Title Tag
2. b) In green: the URL of that webpage
3. c) In black: some textual content from that page relating your search query technically known as Meta description

Your entire SEO strategy is designed around your focus keyphrase. Thus, it is imperative to start your SEO title with your keyphrase. The title tag is Google’s first screening test and not having your main topic in it can affect your ranking chances significantly. Thus, it is advisable to keep your focus keyphrase short and flexible in order to incorporate it entirely in the SEO title.

Including your brand in the Meta Title is also another important point to remember. If your brand appears in the SEO title of several of your webpages, it increases the chances of it showing up as similar or related results. It also improves visibility and the user is more likely to click on it.

What does the SEO title width assessment check do?

The SEO title width assessment check evaluates if you have used your focus keyphrase in the SEO title of your webpage or not. While it is preferred to add the key phrase right at the beginning of your title, some exceptions can be made. Function words are filtered out while assessing results, thus it is alright to use words like the, an, a, who, what, etc. before your keyphrase. This will not affect your score and the assessment will only take into account the rest of the title. These assessments also take into account the length or width of your title and whether it is well under Google’s permissible limit or not. If you keep your SEO title within 60 characters that would be great.

Why are SEO titles width check important?

SEO titles form the most significant part of your SEO strategy. It is the first thing that search engines look for when they scan the internet for results. It is also the first thing that a user notices about your site and thus becomes important for first impressions. Search engines rank pages based on usability and relevance. The SEO title thus should be inviting and sum up the topic of your post. It makes it easier for the crawler bots to ascertain what your content is about and rank it accordingly.

How to improve your SEO titles width?

Working at the best headings and subheadings in order to impress the readers and on top of that, keeping SEO in mind becomes a whole another deal. But it gets better with practice. Seasoned webmasters have been at the art for a while and thus have figured what works and what does not. It is simply hit and trial and with time, you’ll work your way through it. But here are a couple of bullet points to give you a boost:

• Be natural and communicate your topic effectively. There is no need for fanfare, just be efficient.
• The width matters. Keep it moderate, neither too long nor too short.

• Be aware. Keep a lookout at your competitors and gauze what is not working for them. Try to work out a better approach in this way.
• Add your brand name. Always an important thing to remember, it affects visibility.
• Avoid spamming your users with keyphrases, it makes for bad rep.

What is the (SEO) purpose of a page title?

A page title is essential for SEO for the following two reasons:

• It affects rankings for a keyphrase directly:

The SEO title is the first essential filter that search engines use to assess what a webpage is about. This is why it is essential to clearly spell out your main topic or your keyphrase in the title. If you title your webpage wrong, it will be ranked wrong and not show up when users search for relevant information.

• It invites readers to your content:

The SEO title is the first impression of your website on the user’s mind. It is the first thing they get to know about it. If it is ambiguous, dry, uninviting or has spam content, the users will be turned off. On the other hand, if your SEO title very clearly spells what your content is about, it will invite readers to read on. Users will click on your webpage and this will build authority and popularity. And finding it relevant to the users, even the search engines will rank it better.

How long should the ideal SEO title be?

Since webpage titles can be of varying lengths based on their contexts, Google has put out an ideal width of space in which the title can be displayed. Taking Google’s 600 px (or 60 characters) to be the standard, you should try to incorporate your SEO title in this space. There are a lot of tools available in the market that assess the efficiency of your SEO title and these can be helpful in ascertaining where you need to improve.

Tips and Tricks to improve your SEO titles

Here are a few basic things to keep in mind as you try to improve upon your SEO titles:

• Efficiency:

The first aim is to convey to the readers (and by extension, search engines) what your webpage is all about. Thus, your priority should be to aim at clearly mentioning the topic of your content in your SEO title in simple words. Do not try to make it look fancy, keep it organic and simple.

• Keep the width in mind:

It is important to remember that search engines have various filters that ignore anything that does not match their specific metrics. And if your SEO title exceeds Google’s 600 px limit, it will not be completely displayed. Make sure that you keep the width in mind while formulating the SEO titles.

• Focus Keyphrase:

If you beat around the bush in your SEO title instead of coming straight to the point, it is likely that the search engines will rank your webpage lower. Having your keyphrase in your title makes it clear for the users as well as SERP bots what your webpage is about.

• The brand name:

An overlooked aspect of the SEO title is the name of the brand in it. Since SEO titles are the first window for the user into your website, you want them to attach a name to it and remember it. It helps you build authority. When users notice the name of a particular website multiple times in relevant search results, they are likely to remember that name and attach importance to it. If you already have an established brand image, it makes even more sense to include the brand image in the SEO title as it will influence people to click on your webpage. Also, if you do not mention your site’s name or brand name in the SEO title, you are potentially running the risk of Google altering your title for you. Google requires your site’s name to be included in the title and if you don’t already have that, they might go ahead and change your title.