What should a title tag say?
A title tag should name the main thing the page offers in the words people search, then add what makes you the right pick, then your brand name. Keep it to roughly 50 to 60 characters so Google does not cut it off. For a med spa, something like: Hydrafacial in Austin, Same-Week Appointments | Glow Med Spa. Every page needs its own unique title.
Lead with the search, not the brand
The title tag is the clickable headline in Google results and the label on the browser tab. It lives in the page's code, separate from the heading visitors see on the page. Google weighs it heavily when deciding what a page is about, so the first words should match the search you want to rank for.
Most people searching do not know your brand yet. Putting your name first spends the most valuable space on words they did not type. Brand last is the safer default, except on your homepage or when your brand is what people search for.
A simple pattern works for most page types
Pick the pattern that fits the page and swap in the words your buyers actually type.
- Service page: Service + City, Proof or Offer | Brand
- Product page: Product Name, Key Detail | Brand
- Collection page: Category for Audience | Brand
- Guide or article: The question or task in plain words | Brand
Stuffed, vague or duplicate titles cost clicks
Google rewrites titles it finds unhelpful, which happens often when a title is stuffed, vague or does not match the page. Watch for these common problems.
- The same title on many pages, such as Home or Products
- Keyword lists like Cheap Candles, Best Candles, Candles Online
- Titles over about 60 characters that get cut off mid-word
- Promises the page does not deliver
Pair every title with a meta description
The meta description is the short summary under the title in results. It does not directly affect ranking, but it affects whether people click. Write one or two sentences, about 150 characters, saying what the visitor gets and what to do next. Google may show different text if it thinks another passage fits the search better.
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Follow-up questions
Should the title tag match the H1?
They should agree on the topic but do not need to be identical. The title can be tighter for search results, while the H1 can be friendlier on the page.
Why is Google showing a different title than mine?
Google sometimes rewrites titles that are too long, stuffed or mismatched with the page. A clear, accurate title that fits the page is usually left alone.