Why this tag so important?
by Shaji Sarasan
Published on this site: May 29th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
As we know that there are several search engines around us and each
of them ranked web sites in different methods. But the interesting
fact is that every search engines including Meta search engines
gives more importance to a web site title tag while manipulating
their ranking algorithms. Here I not mentioned the other factors that affecting search engine ranking.
But I am sure title tag is crucial for search engines in their ranking
calculations.
What's Title Tag? And why should all those search engines consider
this tag is most important?
Actually the text in this tag is the heading/title that describing
the text contained in a web page and it communicates the theme of
that page to your visitors. It will appear in the blue bar at the
very top of your browser window. Also this will go into your bookmark
area, if you create a bookmark/favorites to this page. The text
used in this tag displayed as the linked text title in the search
engine results page (SERP). Remember, what you write in this tag
will display in the top bar of your browser as well as search results
in search engines.
Search engines read your web site title and page contents, and if
your web site title matched and thematic to your page contents,
then your page will ranked high for the keyword phrases used in
the title tag. If your web site title text differs from your page
contents, your rank will be zero. So be careful while preparing your web page title.
For example if your page describes the scenic beauty of Munnar in
Kerala, and your title tag contains: "Tourism Hotels Hill Stations
Backwaters" is not good, but if you are going to use: "Visit
Munnar And Enjoy Its Scenic Beauty" I think it is more accurate
and thematic to your page contents. Also search engines will list
your pages, if someone searching pages related to Munnar.
Where should I place this tag on my HTML?
Just below the head tag (<head>). In most cases title
tag is placed below on Meta tags, Document character set, or any
Java Scripts exists in the head tags. Since this tag is so important,
by placing it just below the head tag will help spiders to find
easily.
See the sample code below:
- <HTML>
- <HEAD>
- <TITLE>Visit Munnar And Enjoy Its Scenic Beauty </TITLE>
- <META ......>
- <META ......>
- <META HTTP-EQUIV.....>
- <SCRIPT ....>
- </HEAD>
What should be the length of my Title Tag?
Just look different search engines including Google, Yahoo and MSN
by searching different keyword phrases and note the click areas
in the SERPs. Google and MSN listed up to 70 characters including
space while Yahoo listed up to 120 characters including space and
the extra words wiped out.
Title with 120 or more characters is not good for a topic and it
is best to create title that works for all the search engines. Also
long title actually dilutes keyword density within a title tag.
My recommendation is that you should limit your title characters
to 60 (up to 12 words) including spaces.
How many times can I repeat keywords in the Title Tag?
Do not fill the title with your keywords!
Do not repeat your keywords more than twice!
Again search with your keywords in Google and see how many times
that keywords repeated in a link. A site with keywords repeated
more than 3 times in title tag may not see anywhere in the major
search engines. If your title characters below 61 characters (below
13 words) and the keyword density between 25% and 35% your site
will get more chance to rank better ((Total keywords*100)/(total
words/total words in your keyword phrase) = your keyword density). For example if your title is: "Visit
Munnar And Enjoy Its Scenic Beauty" and your keyword phrase
is "Visit Munnar" then your keyword density is 28.5%.
Conclusion
Every web page needs unique title tag by placing important keyword
phrase for that page. If your title tag is well placed, you will
gain a good ranking from major search engines.
Learn more tips on title tag, download free ebook:
101 tips on search engine optimization and learn more tips and
utilities.
Shaji Sarasan is an SEO expert and graphic designer and
the founder of www.perfect-optimizati
on.com which offers resources on SEO, free ebook and tools.
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