The meta title is like the name of a book. It’s the title you see at the top of your browser window and in search engine results. Just like a book title tells you what the book is about, the meta title tells you what a webpage is about. It’s crucial for both search engines and people to quickly understand the main topic of a page. A good meta title is clear, concise, and includes key words that reflect the content of the page. It’s like a headline that grabs your attention and tells you what to expect.
Keyfacts for an effective meta title
Length
Keep it under 60 characters to ensure it is displayed properly in search results.
Relevance
Clearly convey the main topic or purpose of the page.
The title should accurately represent the content.
Keywords
Include relevant keywords toward the beginning of the title.
This helps search engines and users understand the page’s focus.
Uniqueness
Each page should have a unique meta title.
Avoid duplicating titles across different pages.
Branding
If applicable, include your brand name at the end of the title.
This can enhance brand recognition and trust.
Clarity
Make sure the title is easy to understand.
Avoid jargon or overly complex language that might confuse users.
Hierarchy
If your website has a clear hierarchy, reflect it in the titles.
For example, the homepage title might be broader, while subpages can have more specific titles.
Engagement
Craft a title that sparks interest or curiosity. It should encourage users to click on your link.
Instructions to set your meta title for the most common CMS platforms
These instructions may vary slightly depending on the theme or extensions you’re using. Consult your CMS documentation or support resources for specific guidance related to your platform.
WordPress
Open the WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to the post or page for which you want to set the meta description.
Scroll down to the “Yoast SEO” or another installed SEO plugin section.
There, you will find a field labeled “SEO Title” or something similar. Enter your meta title in this field.
Update the post or page.
Joomla
Log in to the Joomla administrator area.
Navigate to “Content” > “Articles” for articles or “Components” > “Category Manager” for categories.
Select the article or category for which you want to set the meta title.
Click on the “Metadata” tab and enter your meta title in the appropriate field.
Save the changes.
Drupal
Log in to the Drupal administrator area.
Go to “Content” > “Edit content” for content or “Structure” > “Manage Taxonomy” for taxonomies.
Select the content or taxonomy and scroll down to the “Meta Tags” section.
Enter your meta title in the “Page title” field.
Save the changes.
Magento
Log in to the Magento Admin Panel.
Go to “Content” > “Elements” > “Pages” for static pages or “Catalog” > “Products” for products.
Select the page or product for which you want to set the meta title.
Scroll down to the “Search Engine Optimization” section and enter your meta title.
Save the changes.