Meta Title : Definition, and Best Practices for Writing

Krittitee Tongdang
July 28, 2023
The Meta Title is an essential HTML element that plays a major role in enhancing a website’s search engine performance. It serves as the title tag for a web page and is often referred to as a “title tag,” “page title,” or simply “title.”
Asia Search Solution, a leading SEO agency in Thailand, delivers strategic SEO solutions to help businesses of all sizes rank at the top of Google’s search results — the world’s most widely used search engine.

What Is a Meta Title?

The Meta Title is metadata placed in the header of a webpage, displayed prominently in search engine results as large blue text. Its purpose is to clearly indicate to both search engines and users what the page is about. It tells search engines and visitors exactly what to expect from the page content. The Meta Title should be concise, direct, and relevant. Once a user clicks through, the title is also displayed in the browser tab. If you want to check a page’s Meta Title, right-click anywhere on the page, select “View Page Source,” and look for code similar to this: <head> <title>Sample Title</title> </head> How you add or edit a Meta Title depends on the Content Management System (CMS) you use. For example, in WordPress, you can set the Meta Title under “General Settings,” directly beneath the “Tagline” field. The Meta Title is similar to a Meta Description in that it requires proper formatting and optimal length. A proven formula for a strong Meta Title is: Primary Keyword – Secondary Keyword | Brand Name The ideal Meta Title length is between 50–60 characters. Exceeding this limit risks having your title truncated in Google search results. For best display and impact, follow these guidelines.
meta title

Why Is the Meta Title Important?

The Meta Title helps search engines and users quickly identify the purpose of your page. It directly influences whether a user decides to click through to your content. It’s also a powerful branding tool. If your brand is already trusted, including it in your Meta Title can increase click-through rates by making your listing more recognizable and appealing. From an SEO perspective, the Meta Title is a key ranking factor. Placing your primary keyword at the beginning can improve the chances of ranking higher for that term.

How to Write an Effective Meta Title

Follow these best practices to create impactful Meta Titles:
    • Always consider the length of your Meta Title.
As mentioned earlier, keep it under 60 characters (including spaces). But length isn’t the only factor — pixel width matters too. Some characters, such as capital letters or wide letters like “W,” take up more pixel space. Titles in all caps may appear bulkier and risk being cut off, even if they are within the character limit. Also, keep in mind that search engines may occasionally choose to display a title different from the one you’ve written, depending on the search query.
    • Research and strategically incorporate keywords.
Think “Meta Title = keywords.” Ranking isn’t just about your primary keyword — related and long-tail keywords can also drive targeted traffic. Integrating them naturally can help you rank for a wider range of search terms. However, avoid keyword stuffing, as it can harm user experience and negatively impact SERP rankings. Always write with the reader in mind, not just the search engines.
    • Avoid duplicate title tags.
Duplicate Meta Titles reduce your visibility in search results and can confuse both users and search engines. Creating unique Meta Titles for each page takes effort, but the payoff is worth it — making your pages stand out and attracting the right audience. Related article: 5 On-site SEO Factors That Impact Your Rankings

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