Mastering the art of writing compelling page titles and meta descriptions is a cornerstone of SEO. They play a pivotal role in guiding users to your content. We’ll review the details below.
Page Title: First Impressions
Search engines, like Google, show the page title’s first 50-60 characters as a clickable blue link in search results. The page title’s prominence in searches makes it crucial in capturing user attention and driving traffic.
Guidelines for Writing an Effective Page Title:
- Length: Keep it under 55 characters for optimal display.
- Relevance: Place the most relevant words or keywords near the beginning.
- Uniqueness: Ensure every page on your site has a distinct title.
- Descriptiveness: The title should encapsulate the essence of the page’s content.
Page Title Examples
| Quality | Example | Character Count |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | Brexit | 6 |
| Good | Brexit: Insights on the UK’s EU Departure | 56 |
| Poor | Shoes | 5 |
| Good | Stylish Running Shoes for Modern Athletes | 44 |
| Poor | Tech News | 9 |
| Good | Latest Tech Innovations: From AI to Smartphones | 51 |
| Poor | Travel Tips | 11 |
| Good | Essential Travel Tips for a Safe & Memorable Vacation | 53 |
Meta Description: The Teaser
The meta description summarizes your web page, product, or service. Search engines display around 150-160 characters under the clickable title in search results. The meta description should concisely and accurately represent the page’s content, luring readers to click through.
Guidelines for Writing an Engaging Meta Description:
- Length: Aim for about 155 characters. If it’s longer, front-load the essential info.
- Uniqueness: Each page should have its distinct meta description.
- Content Preview: Offer a snapshot of what the page entails. When appropriate, integrate your unique selling proposition and a call to action.
- Relevant Keywords: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords.
Meta Description Examples:
| Quality | Example | Character Count |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | Home staging in Kansas City. | 36 |
| Good | XYZ Home Staging: Elevate property value with expert home & commercial staging in Kansas City. | 133 |
| Poor | Buy books online. | 17 |
| Good | Discover a World of Stories: Bestsellers, Classics, and Hidden Gems Await at BookHub. Sign Up for An Account and Save 15% | 122 |
| Poor | Best laptops for 2023. | 23 |
| Good | Explore Top-Rated Laptops of 2023: Performance Meets Design for Professionals & Gamers. Trusted Reviews from Our Expert Tech Reporters. | 136 |
| Poor | Healthy recipes for busy people. | 33 |
| Good | Dive into Nutritious Meals: Fresh, Easy-To-Follow Recipes for Busy Lifestyles. Our User’s Love Our Format with Easy to Download Shopping Lists and More. | 153 |
Crafting compelling page titles and meta descriptions is more than just character counts. Aim to understand your audience, highlight your unique offerings, and speak to your target customer.
With these guidelines and examples, you’re equipped to optimize these vital SEO elements.
Updating Title & Meta Description using the Yoast Plug-in
- Edit the desired page or post.
- Locate the Yoast SEO section (screenshot below).
- Click Edit snippet (screenshot below).
- Enter the desired SEO title and Meta description (screenshot below).
- Click Update or Publish in WordPress to save.
