Title Tags: How to Write Them Properly

What a title tag is

The title tag is the page title shown in search results and browser tabs. It helps search engines understand the page topic, users decide whether to click, and sets expectations before someone visits the page.

It’s one of the most important on-page elements you can control.

What a good title tag does

A good title tag clearly describes what the page is about, matches the page’s main topic, and is written for humans first.

It should answer the question:

What will I get if I click this page?

How to structure a title tag

Most effective title tags include the primary topic of the page, optional context or qualifier, and the brand name where appropriate.

For example:

• How to Write Effective Title Tags | Warren Groom

You don’t need to follow a rigid formula — clarity matters more than format.

Length and wording

There’s no perfect character count, but as a rule:

• Keep titles concise
• Avoid unnecessary filler
• Put the most important words first

If a title feels long or awkward when read out loud, it probably is.

What to avoid

Common mistakes include:

• Stuffing keywords into the title
• Writing titles that don’t match the page content
• Repeating the same title across multiple pages
• Using vague titles like “Home” or “Services”

A title tag should be specific to that page, not generic.

A useful mindset

Think of the title tag as a short promise you must keep on the page itself.

If the page doesn’t deliver on the title, search engines — and users — will lose trust.