One day you are sitting around with friends and start talking about a random topic like blogs about life. You feel that you don’t know much about it and you decide to Google it.
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You see a list of the most recent articles on the topic. The hyperlinked text that you see on your screen are SEO titles that push your content to the top. So, the SEO page title of our blog about life will appear something like this:
The title, Reach Your Full Potential By Reading The Best Blogs About Life is the first thing you will see on your Google feed when you search for the keyword “blogs about life”. Why? Because it is the SEO or meta title of the blog and the search engine picks it up as soon as you type your question.
Let us continue to explore the meaning of an SEO title and its impact on your blogging journey.
What Is an SEO Title?
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SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is a method used to understand and tilt the search engine’s algorithm in your favor.
Each website is written in a coding language – usually HTML – which is read by the search engine. The SEO title is a phrase or headline that is specifically written for search engines to identify and “tag” your blog. That’s so that when the search bot moves through a piece of text, it will highlight the meta title instantly and put it up on the SERP (search engine result page).
Difference between SEO Title and H1
When you start blogging, you might be confused between an SEO title and H1. Since most of us are used to writing headings, the concept of a separate title seems excessive, However, you have to understand that an SEO title is essential to the growth of your blog. So, let’s take a close look at the difference between an H1 and an SEO title.
What is an H1?
The first heading you write for your blog is called H1. It can be a sentence, a question, a remark, or a simple phrase that you use for your blog title. You can add adjectives and puns in an H1 to attract the audience and encourage them to keep reading.
What is an SEO Title?
The title that you write separately to rank your blog is called an SEO title. It is the first thing a search bot spots on your webpage and highlights it at the top of Google’s SERP. An SEO title is easy to read and should include simple words to help people understand the concept of your webpage.
Here’s a table that summarizes the differences between the two.
| Characteristics | SEO Title | H1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 50-60 Characters | 20-60 Characters |
| Keyword | Must contain keyword | Contains keyword or its variation |
| Search Engine Relevance | Search engine’s first priority | Search engine’s secondary priority |
| Conciseness | Concise and correct | May or may not be concise |
| Pain Point Analysis | Addresses pain points | Introduces the topic |
| Vocabulary | Simple, clear, and engaging | Exciting, metaphorical, and engaging |
Why Is Having a Good SEO Title Important?
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Blogging has become the top marketing tool in cyberspace, especially with the current focus on SEO practices. For people who are starting a small business or a startup, SEO titles may seem like a technicality.
However, it is necessary to understand that writing a relevant SEO title is like hitting a bull’s eye. You are able to place your blog title right in front of your audience and can start seeing tangible results in a short time. Here’s what else it does for you:
Keeps Your Blog Fresh
Outdated titles push your blog to the back of the search engine. A compelling meta title with new keywords will keep your blog fresh. It will keep appearing in your visitor’s search results and boost your blog’s popularity.
Improves The Blog’s Relevance
Gone are the days when you could get away with old stories or content. Today, everything needs to be up-to-date – and that’s just what the SEO title does. By focusing on the current trends in keyword ranking, SEO titles attract the right audience for your blog.
Removes Chances Of Repetition
Since SEO blog titles are unique, they help you avoid repetition while creating new content. Each blog includes a new keyword and explores a new aspect of a particular topic. Moreover, searching for SEO titles helps you keep an eye on trending blog topics to cash in on them.
Appears On Open Tabs
Most users open multiple tabs while working. Sometimes they forget why they opened each tab. The SEO title helps users identify each tab and keep working on their project in an orderly fashion. That’s how it increases the chances of people clicking on your blog more often.
How to Write an SEO Title for Success?
Writing an SEO title is not that tricky once you have had some practice. You can start by writing a few simple drafts of your blog title with keywords and improve them later on after reading the following tips.
1. Keep It Balanced
An SEO title should be of the optimal length. Google measures your meta title based on pixel length and if it is too long, it will be replaced by ellipses (…). SEO title tag optimization dictates you write 50 to 60 characters to make it easier for a search bot to highlight it.
2. Include Unique Selling Points
When you write an SEO title, you need to remind the readers why they are clicking on your website. Modify your title to show whether you are offering free tips or valuable information to your readers. Let them know that your blog post is one of a kind in terms of content.
3. Highlight Your USP
People who visit your website remember the benefits you provide for them. You need to reassure them that you are offering something no other blog is. If people feel that they are getting exactly what they need, they will think, “Yes, this is what I wanted” and will become your customers.
4. Focus On Keyword Placement
Most of us make the mistake of adding a keyword at the end of a page title. If your title is long, Google may miss the keyword and replace it with three dots on its SERP. So, make sure you always add the keyword at the start or middle of the title for maximum visibility.
5. Tap Into Users’ Search Intent
Always keep in mind what your users need when they read your SEO title. Let’s say a person is searching for water treatment services in their area. A title that says “Affordable Water Treatment” will be received more warmly by visitors than the title, “Water Treatment Service – Available From 9 to 11 pm”.
What Not to Do While Writing an SEO Title?
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When you are writing a blog or an SEO title, you focus on the things that you need to do properly. But what you don’t think about is the things not to do.
Therefore, here is a list of the things you need to avoid while writing an SEO title.
1. Metaphorical Words
Always keep an SEO title simple and clear. Do not use metaphorical words or phrases because they might confuse the readers. Use relatable words and phrases to help your audience understand your title and, in turn, your blog’s content.
2. Long Sentences
An SEO title should be short and concise. It should not be longer than 60 characters or it will be cut off by the search engine, leaving the reader confused.
3. Tough Vocabulary and Jargon
Always keep your vocabulary simple while writing an SEO title. Keep it to a sixth or seventh-grade reading level to help improve the overall reach of your webpage.
4. Negative Tones
A single negative word can depreciate the value of your meta title within seconds. So, make sure you keep a positive tone while writing headlines for the SEO of your webpage.
5. Your Company’s Name
Don’t use your company’s name in an SEO title because it may appear as an advertisement. Try to keep the title centered around the keyword as possible to attract as many visitors as you can.
Wrap Up
With our guide in hand, if anyone asks you, “What is an SEO title?”, you can explain it to them with complete confidence. But if you are afraid that you will make a mistake while writing your first SEO blog title, don’t worry. You can use a blog post idea generator to write one for you. It will help you come up with amazing SEO page titles for your website. So, start writing great SEO blog titles now and you will see an increase in your website’s ranking in no time.
I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.