How long should a title tag be?

Aim for under about 60 characters so it displays fully in search results. Longer titles get truncated, which can bury your keyword and weaken the click. Front-load the most important words.

Should the keyword be in the title tag?

Yes, ideally near the front. It is a clear relevance signal and helps searchers see the page matches their query. Keep it natural rather than stuffing the keyword repeatedly.

Does Google rewrite title tags?

Sometimes Google shows a different title than the one you set, based on the page content and query. Writing a clear, relevant title reduces the chance of a rewrite and keeps you in control.

Title tags and rankings

The title tag is one of the strongest on-page ranking signals and the main thing searchers read before clicking. Here is how to write titles that rank and earn clicks.

Why the title tag matters so much

The title tag tells search engines and searchers what a page is about, and it is one of the most influential on-page factors. It is also the clickable headline in the results, so it shapes both whether you rank and whether people click, which in turn feeds engagement signals.

Getting the title right is often the single highest-leverage on-page change you can make.

How to write a strong title

Put your primary keyword near the front, keep the title clear and specific, and make it something a person actually wants to click. Aim for a length that displays without truncation, roughly under 60 characters, and avoid stuffing keywords.

Lead with the target keyword
Keep it under about 60 characters
Make a clear, specific promise
Write one unique title per page
Avoid repeating the same keyword multiple times

Title tag vs H1

The title tag appears in the browser tab and search results, while the H1 is the visible headline on the page. They can differ: the title is optimised for the search result, the H1 for the reader on the page. Both should reflect the same topic and keyword.

Titles are one item on the wider on-page SEO checklist, so fix them alongside headings and intent.

Check your title against the keyword

One of the checks in our tool is whether your keyword appears in the title. Run the free Can You Rank? check to see if your title is pulling its weight for a target term.

Get your titles right

Check whether your keyword is in the title and what else needs fixing, then let Sorank optimise titles across every page automatically.

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Sorank runs SEO and GEO on autopilot from $99/mo. A card is required to start.