Want to increase your overall search traffic? Learn the art of writing SEO friendly titles.
If you want to build a money-making blog, your top priority should be increasing your overall organic traffic as search traffic is the lifeblood of any successful website.
In this guide, weโll talk about the best practices for creating search engine-friendly title tags for your pages.
What Are SEO Friendly Titles?
A title tag is an HTML element that describes the title of a blog post or page. An SEO friendly title tag is usually optimized for search engines and it usually specifies the context of a page.
So your goal while writing title tags should be making them as relevant and accurate as possible and they should provide a proper description of a page’s content.
Are title tags still important?
Yes, they are extremely important. Titles are the first thing people see. Not only on search engines but they appear everywhere, including social media sites, forums, email lists, and so on.
Did you know that 8 out of 10 people read your headlines first before they even decide to read your blog posts? Thatโs the reason why you should craft high-quality and compelling titles for your blog posts.
Enough said about the title tags. Letโs now talk about how you can create search engine-friendly title tags for your pages to improve your organic rankings in 2025 and beyond.
8 Best Practices for Writing SEO-Friendly Titles In 2025
Table of Contents
- What Are SEO Friendly Titles?
- 8 Best Practices for Writing SEO-Friendly Titles In 2025
- 1. Write โuniqueโ titles
- 2. The length of your titles matters
- 3. Stop using โstop wordsโ
- 4. Create headlines that get more clicks
- 5. Use this 3-step framework for SEO titles
- 6. Usage of brand in titles
- 7. Create sensible meta descriptions
- 8. Use proper optimization tools
- 9. Add Freshness And Power Words in the Title
- SEO Title Examples
- How to Write an SEO-Friendly Title Tag?
- Difference Between Title Tag and H1 Tags
- Final Thoughts On SEO Friendly Title
- FAQs About SEO Friendly Title Tags
1. Write โuniqueโ titles
Thereโs a reason why weโre mentioning this tip #1 in the list.
Uniqueness is extremely important when it comes to optimizing your posts, titles and content to get more traffic from search engines like Google.
Yes, there will be a ton of duplicate titles for similar content on Google search results but you need to make sure to create unique and highly engaging titles if you want to boost rankings.
You should aim at creating titles that are good for both search engine bots and visitors. Make sure to create relevant titles as Google crawlers might get confused if you write irrelevant page titles for your web pages.
Another important thing is using unique titles while interlinking.
You should make sure each page on your website has a different title. It should not be the case that the same title is used for multiple pages within your website.
We noticed lots of website owners copying their home page titles in their website internal pages. You should ignore such practices.
2. The length of your titles matters
One of the most important things for SEO friendly titles is using an optimal title length.
Google often shows the first 50 to 60 characters of a title tag. Thereโs no thumb rule though but itโs a smart idea to keep your titles short and compelling.
Try to keep your titles under 60 characters. According to Moz, you can expect about 90% of your titles to show up properly in Google search results if your titles are under 60 characters.
There’s no exact character limit though because characters can vary in width. Did you know that Google’s display titles max out at 600 pixels currently?
Another smart thing to do is to avoid characters that usually take up more space. For instance, a character like uppercase “W” is wider than a lowercase character like โeโ, โlโ, “i”, “t” and so on.
Have a look at the screenshot below to understand it better:
As you can see from the above example, width matters a lot. Thatโs why smartly use characters that donโt take up more space while displaying in search results.
Quick note: Avoid using ALL CAPS letters in your titles at any cost as they are NOT only harder for search visitors to read but they also display less characters as they take up more width (and space) in search results. So they get truncated!
3. Stop using โstop wordsโ
Search engines like Google avoid processing stop words. Stop words are the most common words such as a, an, the, or, and so on that most search engines avoid. This is usually done to save space and speed up processing large data while crawling or indexing.
If youโre wondering about different types of stop words to avoid in title tags, hereโs a list of some.
- A
- And
- But
- So
- On
- Or
- The
- Was
- With
- much
Check out the complete list of stop words in SEO here.
Try to avoid using stop words as much as you can, especially in title tags to save more space.
Also make sure to avoid using these stop words in your URLs as well and make them short and sweet by keeping your primary keywords in mind. Hereโs how it looks like;
As you can see above, without stop words, your URLs will look SEO friendly and also great for user experience.
Instead what else can you do?
Use describing words. Yes, you can use some descriptive words towards the beginning of page titles to make your website titles look more natural.
Instead of using short keywords, focus on LSI keywords on your page titles. LSI keywords often make your headlines more click-worthy and give extra weight to your SEO efforts.
4. Create headlines that get more clicks
You need to create attention-grabbing titles that actually generate clicks organically from search engines like Google.
There are the 3 most important elements involved in creating clickworthy titles which are;
- Curiosity
- Benefit
- Emotion
Letโs briefly talk about each one of them with good SEO title examples.
Curiosity: You need to create curiosity while creating titles to increase your organic clicks.
Have a look at the following example.
As you can see above, youโll instantly click on it for more details especially if youโre desperately looking at SEO trends or stats as a beginner. Thatโs the power of curiosity. So use it wisely while crafting your titles.
Benefit: Want to dramatically improve your organic clicks? Start showing benefits within your title tags and youโll get amazing results.
Hereโs an example of it.
As you can see from the above SEO title examples, itโs a benefit-oriented title where it says “Pay $50 to $200 Per Post” which is really interesting, especially for the ones who are searching for blogging sites that pay.
Need SEO-friendly headlines? Learn what you can do to make a headline more compelling for better rankings in 2025.
5. Use this 3-step framework for SEO titles
If youโre looking to create irresistible title tags for SEO, hereโs a 3-step framework exclusively for you.
Step 1: Find a primary keyword for each title
A primary keyword is extremely important and if you want to rank your pages in search engines like Google, you need to target at least one primary keyword for each page. Coming up with primary keywords is simple when you have access to the tools like Semrush.
We have written a detailed guide around using Semrush for finding profitable keywords where you can find a ton of details. Just make sure to include your primary keyword within your title for better rankings.
Step 2: Find relevant LSI keywords to target
Yes, you should definitely include a primary keyword within your title tags but if you want to optimize your titles naturally, you should target LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords.
LSI keywords are semantically relevant keywords to a particular keyword. For instance, โAppleโ is an LSI keyword for iPad, MacBook, iPhone etc
If you want to find LSI keywords for SEO, use proper tools like Semrush, Ubersuggest etc as they provide you extensive keyword phrases.
Step 3: Analyse the top 10 search results for your topic
Last but not least, keep an eye on all the top 10 ranking titles for the topic youโre writing about. Find out if they are using how-toโs, list posts or something else. Did you notice anything in common? Craft your titles accordingly.
Important tip: Put important keywords first
Do you want to know the BEST SEO tip in writing SEO friendly page titles? Use your primary keyword first.
For example, if you are targeting a keyword like โbelly fat reduction tipsโ, there are several ways to craft SEO titles including;
- Belly fat reduction tips: How to lose tummy fat fast
- How to lose tummy fat: Belly fat reduction tips
Among the above two cases, you will be more benefited from search engines by using #1.
Why? Because keywords still play a prominent role and search crawlers easily find the context of users if you are using your target keywords in prominent places such as using them at the beginning of your title tags.
But you should make sure that you donโt use too many keywords in your page title tag section.
6. Usage of brand in titles
Should you add your brand name at the end of every single title tag you create? Thatโs an interesting question which weโll try to answer in the best possible way.
If you have a recognized brand name, you should definitely include it for better conversions and click-through rates. But if youโre just getting started and no one knows your brand name, you should try to avoid as it takes more space (so youโll have less space and width to target your primary keywords within titles).
Also, focus on making your titles localized. If you are aiming at getting higher rankings for certain keywords in certain demographics, you should use them in your page title section.
Suppose if an SEO company is offering SEO services in a particular city like Delhi, should include Delhi in their title tag with keywords relevant to that page. Their websiteโs meta title could be something like โPremium SEO Services in Delhiโ or something similar.
7. Create sensible meta descriptions
When it comes to organic search listings, there are only 3 things that appear in SERPs (Search Engine Results Page).
- Title
- URL
- Meta description
Hereโs what most of the SERP results on Google look like;
As you can see above, a search result includes a title along with URL and meta description. We also implement a rich snippet for product review.
So far, weโve discussed creating search engine-friendly titles, so letโs now talk about how to create better meta descriptions to improve your overall organic rankings.
Writing search engine friendly meta description like a pro
According to Googleโs blog, thereโs no limit on how long a meta description can be, but the search results are often truncated as needed (usually to fit the device width such as desktop, laptop, smartphone etc).
The meta description length is between 120 to 158 characters, up to 920 pixels.
Keep in mind that Google users also read meta descriptions of your pages that appear on Google SERPs along with the titles.
Meta description is what comes under your page titles on Google search results. By using your focused keywords even on meta description can give you ultimate SEO traffic, so donโt forget optimizing your rich snippets (aka meta description).
Always supplement your SEO-friendly titles with a great meta description every time you publish post. This way you can improve your click-through rates as well as the user engagement on your sites and web pages.
Keep your meta description under 120 to 150 characters, otherwise Google SERPs ignore the remaining extra characters (so it gets truncated). Write your meta description for the users first, Google obviously gives you top priority then. Never keyword stuff your meta description and optimize them naturally.
For a better understanding, check out the blog description examples here.
8. Use proper optimization tools
If youโre a WordPress user, weโve a simple tip for you: install an optimization plugin.
Using plugins like Yoast SEO can help you implement most of the things that are covered in this article (including titles, meta descriptions, other tags etc). These plugins are free and even SEO beginners can use the suggestions given by SEO by Yoast plugin to get more organic traffic to their websites.
So what are the recommended optimization plugins?
Weโve 2 recommendations which are listed below.
When it comes to on page optimization and creating amazing titles for Google, Yoast SEO plugin is the best. Weโve been using this amazing plugin (weโre using premium version though) for a long time now and weโre extremely happy with its features and results.
It is the most downloaded SEO plugin with over 20 million downloads and it’s free version also offers a wide range of features to optimize your content.
Hereโs how its interface looks like from the backend;
As you can see above, you can easily add a focus keyword, change your title, add meta description, improve your social media settings and so on from one place.
2. Rank Math
Rank Math is the new entry but quickly gained popularity among blogging community as it offers a ton of useful features ranging from optimizing upto 5 keywords to creating sitemaps, LSI tool integration, 404 monitor, redirection system and the list goes on.
Hereโs how it looks like;
As you can see above, itโs extremely easy to setup and you can tweak any SEO related changes you want ranging from adding nofollow links to setting up sitemaps, importing settings from other plugins and so on.
If youโre looking for an alternative to Yoast SEO plugin, Rank Math is definitely worth giving a try as it offers excellent features. So there you go! Start using optimization plugins to get more traffic and better results from search engines without sweating much.
9. Add Freshness And Power Words in the Title
Search engines including Google prefer โfreshโ content because it’s often more up-to-date with the latest information. If you want to create SEO-friendly titles, make sure to add โfreshnessโ.
You can add freshness to your titles by using words like “new,” “latest,” “recent,” or “updated.” Or you can simply create content on topics that are trending in your niche.
Besides freshness, make sure to include powerful words in your titles. Power words are words used to grab a reader’s attention, and encourage them to take action.
Some examples of power words include “amazing,” “incredible,” “powerful,” and “unbelievable.”
Here is an example of a title with freshness and powerful words:
How to Make Money With AI Starting from Scratch in 2025 [8 Easy Ways]
The above articleโs title is fresh because it is about a topic (AI) that is currently popular and relevant. It is also powerful because it uses the words “Easy Ways” to create a sense of excitement and curiosity.
Additionally, the article title incorporates a โfreshness factorโ by using the current year i.e 2025!
SEO Title Examples
Crafting a compelling SEO title is the key to getting more traffic to your website from search engines. A properly optimized title provides relevant context about your content to search engines. Also, it entices search users to click on your links.
Here are some examples of effective SEO titles across different content formats:
1. Listicle Title
A listicle title is often structured as a numbered or bulleted list format.
Listicle Title Examples:
- 300+ Free Guest Posting Sites Where Can Submit Guest Posts
- 110 Blog Names by Niche to Help You Choose the Best One
2. Review Title
A review post offers a detailed breakdown of a product or service.
Review Title Examples:
- Elementor Review 2025: Sharing our Experience with Elementor
- Semrush Review 2025: My Experience & Results โ Worth It?
3. Comparison Title
A comparison post title analyzes the similarities and differences between two or more products or topics.
Comparison Title Examples:
- GeneratePress vs Divi: Which is Best in 2025?
- Hostinger vs HostGator: Which Web Host is Best in 2025?
4. Guides Titles
A guide provides detailed information on one topic, often offering step-by-step instructions, practical tips or expert advice.
Examples:
- Stop Words In SEO 2025: An Expert Guide on Their Impact & Best Practices
- SEO Case Study 2025: How Long Does It Take to Rank for a Keyword?
5. Tutorial Titles
A tutorial shows people how to perform a specific task, such as installing WordPress or starting a YouTube channel, often with clear explanations.
Examples:
- How To Install WordPress on Hostinger? Step By Step Tutorial For Beginners
- Step By Step SEO Tutorial For Beginners in 2025 (Our 14 Yrs Traffic Stats Included)
How to Write an SEO-Friendly Title Tag?
Hereโs a detailed guide on creating a good SEO title tag that attracts clicks and improves your search engine rankings.
Step 1: Use Relevant Keywords
Title tags appear in search results, so itโs essential to include relevant keywords naturally without overstuffing. Use tools like Semrush, Ubersuggest, etc to find long-tail keywords that are relevant to your topic.
Place the most important keyword at the beginning of your title tag.
Step 2: Keep it Short and Sweet
Make sure to keep your title tag under 50-60 characters. This is because search engines often truncate longer titles.
Step 3: Be Relevant
While crafting title tags, make sure the pageโs title accurately describes the page’s content. Donโt use generic terms that don’t provide clear information about the page’s content.
For example, if youโre promoting shopping deals, instead of using “Online Deals,” use “Best Online Shopping Deals”.
Step 4: Make it unique
Before finalizing a title, make sure to perform a quick search on Google to see if your title tag is totally unique from the rest. A unique title helps your content stand out in search results and attract more clicks.
Consider using title generator tools or brainstorming different headlines to come up with unique and engaging titles.
The title tag is used to define the overall title of a web page, while the H1 tag is used to indicate the main heading that is displayed on the page itself.
Hereโs a simple breakdown showing the differences between both title tags and H1 tags.
Title tags are extremely important for SEO and user experience. This is because title tags appear in search engine results and browser tabs, summarizing the page’s content.
For example, a page about “Quora stats” might have a title tag like “Latest Quora Statistics In 2025.”
As you can see above, the title tag appears prominently in search engine results pages (SERPs). If your title tags are not engaging, you may get low click-through rates (CTR), which can negatively impact your search engine rankings.
H1 tags are the most important headings on a web page. They are used to indicate the main topic or title of the content. While H1 tags don’t appear directly in search engine results pages (SERPs), they are essential for proper on-page SEO and user experience.
For instance, the H1 tag for the same page might be “40+ Top Quora Statistics for 2025.”
As you can see, the H1 tag provides a more detailed description of the page’s main topic than the title tag. This helps both users and search engines quickly understand the content.
Final Thoughts On SEO Friendly Title
Before publishing your blog posts, make sure their page titles are under 60 characters.
Find and use your focused keywords on your page titles to rank high and use them in the beginning of your titles to gain more weight. Donโt over-optimize. Use compelling meta descriptions along with great titles to increase your organic click-through rates from SERPs.
Do you have any more questions on writing search engine-friendly titles? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions around title tags.
There are a lot of reasons for a title tag to not show up in the first page results which include the following.
โ Title Length: Keep your titles within 50-60 characters
โ Poor Content Quality: Google prioritizes high-quality, informative content.
โ Backlinks: Quality and quantity of backlinks impact rankings.
Title tags are the names of your web pages that appear in search results and the browser tab, while heading tags are used to organize and break up the content on your page, making it easier to read.
Google currently shows up to 600 pixels on a desktop. So itโs better to keep your title characters under 50 to 60 characters.
You can use Google Search Console (GSC) to easily track keyword rankings based on your title tags. Hereโs how you can do it..
โ Firstly, login to Google Search Console
โ Navigate to Performance
โ Click on the tab called โPagesโ
โ Now, simply find a list of all the pages that you would like to measure, click on them. Then, click on the โQueriesโ tab.
You should NEVER over-optimize your titles with too many keywords. That being said, you can use ONE primary keyword for each title.
Make sure to use relevant keywords, use strong verbs, make it compelling and aim for a page title that is between 50 and 60 characters long.
If Google search crawls believe your title doesnโt accurately reflect the context of your page,ย it may choose to display a different title tag than the one you’ve written. It depends on keyword relevance, user intent, optimization, etc.
An SEO title is the primary heading tag that appears in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Hi Anil,
I have recently launched new coupons deal website and after read your post now i am confuse regarding title keyword count. actually i am normally right my keyword like thi ” ajio-big-bold-sale-discount-deals-offers “. So now please let me know is okey to write permalink for my post .. other wise Should i change it? please help me.
but other coupons websites writing their post in this format and ranking in top.
thanks
Rahul this post is about optimizing SEO title. And you are talking about post URL. Post URL should be the way you shared. You can also check my blog post URLs for reference.
Hi Anil,
Your post is thorough and fits well as a complete guide to seo-friendly headlines. Blogging and content marketing success requires knowledge in SEO. However, one doesn’t have to be an expert to implement it correctly. Knowing the fundamentals will keep you going as you home your skills. Your articles is breathtaking in this regard.
However, Toast SEO is fantastic in helping bloggers optimize their blog posts including headings. I use both Toast and Coschedule Headline Analyzer for gauging my title length.
Thanks a lot for sharing!