SEO title

Your SEO title is the first line searchers see. It decides most of your click appeal. If Google rewrites it, you lose control of that line.

Keep it close to the H1. Say the same thing in both fields, with the same wording order. Example: H1 and title both read "Simple error tracking for Rails apps" on /product.

Match intent with both. If the query is "pricing yourproduct", set <title> "Pricing | YourProduct" and H1 "Pricing" on /pricing. Do not split ideas across them.

About 60 characters fit in a desktop result. Front load the key phrase that earns the click, then add brand if it helps identify you.

• Say the page’s primary topic first: "Error tracking for Rails" not "YourProduct | Error tracking"
• Use plain words users search, not your tagline.
• Name the specific thing: "API pricing", "Changelog August 2026", "Shopify SEO guide".
• Write unique titles for every URL, including /guides/getting-started and /blog/*.
• Avoid brackets and fluff that push key words off the left.

1. 1

   Decide the page’s main query

   Look at the H1 and the first paragraph. If it is a /pricing page, the query is probably "yourproduct pricing" or "product pricing".

2. 2

   Draft the title

   Put the query first, then a short qualifier or brand. Example: "Pricing | YourProduct" or "Rails error tracking | YourProduct".

3. 3

   Check length and duplication

   Aim near 60 characters. Scan your sitemap or CMS list to ensure each page has a unique title.

4. 4

   Publish and watch clicks

   In Search Console’s Performance report, watch impressions and click through rate for that page over 28 days. If CTR is low while position is stable, test a sharper title.

Google may rewrite if your title is too long, repetitive or missing. It can also pick text from H1 or links if your title is vague or stuffed.

• Shorten any title that truncates the key phrase.
• Remove boilerplate that repeats across many pages, like "| Fast, easy, simple".
• Make the H1 match the title wording so either line works if chosen.
• Ensure every page has a specific title, not a site default.

A fixed page reads cleanly in search: "Category page SEO checklist | YourProduct" shows in full, and the H1 matches "Category page SEO checklist".