Want SEO title tags that attract more visitors to your website from Google?

I think we all do! That’s why I created this guide so you can easily improve your title tags and improve your clickthrough rate.

In this guide, I’ll break down SEO title tags, explain 12 steps you can take to improve yours, and answer common questions people have about them.

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’ve been an SEO for 10+ years and an Entrepreneur for 15+ years.

I’ve personally written 100s of SEO blog articles and I’ve overseen the creation of 1,000s of blogs and website pages.

Title tags are what you see when you search for something on Google.

It’s the 60 characters that are blue, slightly bolded, and stand out on Google’s search results.

In SEO, this is where we can influence the Clickthrough Rate of our content that’s ranking on Google.

Have a bad title tag and less people will click on it even if you’re ranking high on the page.

Have a title tag that attracts people’s attention and makes them think and you’ll bring more people to your website.

There’s true power to title tags if you handle them properly.

I’ll explain exactly how to do that. Let’s dive into it…

The Only SEO Title Tag Guide You Need to Read (12 steps)

1. Keep It Under 60 Characters

• Stay within Google’s display limit.
• Shorter titles are easier to read.

2. Use Primary Keywords Early

• Place main keywords at the beginning.
• Align with user search intent.

3. Include Your Brand Name (When Relevant)

• Add brand name for recognition.
• Use for product or service pages.

4. Make It Descriptive and Clear

• Clearly state what the page is about.
• Avoid vague or generic titles.

5. Avoid Keyword Stuffing

• Use natural language, not repetitive keywords.
• Keep it readable for humans.

6. Create Unique Titles for Every Page

• Avoid duplicate title tags.
• Tailor each title to its specific content.

7. Incorporate Action Words

• Use verbs like “Buy,” “Discover,” or “Learn.”
• Encourage clicks with compelling CTAs.

8. Target Long-Tail Keywords

• Optimize for specific, intent-driven phrases.
• Focus on niche search queries.

9. Address User Pain Points

• Mention solutions or benefits directly in the title.
• Make the title relevant to user needs.

10. Use Numbers or Data

• Titles with numbers can grab attention.
• Great for listicles or product pages.

11. Leverage Emotional Triggers

• Use power words like “Amazing” or “Essential.”
• Appeal to emotions like curiosity or urgency.

12. Test and Optimize Regularly

• A/B test title variations.
• Adjust based on click-through rates (CTR).

Action Items

1. Audit your website’s title tags to ensure they follow these best practices.
2. Optimize primary keywords at the start of your titles while keeping them under 60 characters.
3. Conduct A/B tests to measure and improve the effectiveness of your title tags.
4. Use emotional triggers and numbers in your titles to grab attention and increase click-through rates.
5. Create unique and descriptive titles for every page to avoid duplicates and better target search intent.

FAQs

Why are SEO title tags important?

SEO title tags are crucial because they provide a concise summary of your webpage content for both users and search engines. They influence click-through rates (CTR) by attracting users to click on your link in search results. Optimized title tags improve search visibility and help align content with user intent.

How do I avoid keyword stuffing in title tags?

Use natural language and incorporate keywords seamlessly without overloading the title. Focus on making the title readable and relevant to the user while aligning with search intent. Keyword stuffing can lead to poor user experience and penalties from search engines.

Should I include my brand name in every title tag?

Include your brand name when it adds value, such as on product, service, or homepage titles. For blog posts or informational pages, prioritize keywords and user intent. Use your brand name only if it helps build recognition or credibility.

How can I test the performance of my title tags?

Conduct A/B tests by experimenting with different title variations. Monitor click-through rates (CTR) and engagement metrics to identify what works best. Use tools like Google Search Console to track performance and adjust titles accordingly.

What makes a good action word for title tags?

Good action words like “Buy,” “Discover,” “Learn,” or “Download” encourage users to take immediate action. They create a sense of urgency or curiosity, making the title more compelling. Ensure the action word aligns with the content’s purpose and user expectations.

Thoughts and Outro

Not that hard, right?

SEO title tags are all about:

• putting yourself into your ideal readers shoes and
• speaking directly to them and the intent of the keyword.

When you do that, your ranking content on Google has a better chance of driving traffic to your website.

The best way to get better is through hands-on experience and practice.

Take this guide, save it, share it with your team, and practice writing 100+ title tags.

You can do it for new content you’ll be publishing on your website or you can go through all of your current content and make edits to the title tags for better performance.

There’s never been a better time for improving your title tags so get to it.

Still have questions about best practices on writing them? Reach out to me via email or find me on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m on a mission to make SEO and digital marketing simpler for millions.

Thanks for being along for the ride.

Best,

Connor

 

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