The title tag is an HTML element within the head section that specifies the title of a web page. It appears in browser tabs, search engine results pages, and social media shares. The title tag is one of the most important on-page SEO elements because it directly influences both search rankings and click-through rates.
Best practices for title tags include keeping them under 60 characters to avoid truncation in search results, placing the primary keyword near the beginning, making each title unique across the site, and writing titles that accurately describe the page content while being compelling enough to attract clicks. SEO title optimization books on Amazon cover writing strategies.
For URL shortening services, title tags should follow a consistent pattern that includes the page topic and the site name. For example, a glossary term page might use the format "Term Name - Glossary - miji.be." This pattern provides context at every level: the specific content, the section, and the site.
Google may rewrite title tags if it determines that the provided title does not accurately represent the page content or is poorly formatted. Common triggers for rewriting include excessively long titles, keyword stuffing, and titles that do not match the page's main heading. Search engine guidelines books on Amazon discuss these behaviors.