# SEO title

An SEO title is the title tag of a page, the <title> element. It is the headline shown in search results and the tab name in the browser. It is distinct from the H1 you show on the page, though both should say the same thing.

Updated 2026-09-14 · Source: https://porteur.ai/glossary/seo-title

## What it means on a small site

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.

## SEO title vs H1

| Field | Where it lives | What users see | What Google may rewrite |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SEO title (<title>) | HTML head | Search results, browser tab | Yes, if too long, repetitive or missing |
| H1 (<h1>) | HTML body | On the page | Rarely, you control it |

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.

## How long and what to include

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.

## How to write and check yours

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. **Draft the title** Put the query first, then a short qualifier or brand. Example: "Pricing | YourProduct" or "Rails error tracking | YourProduct".
3. **Check length and duplication** Aim near 60 characters. Scan your sitemap or CMS list to ensure each page has a unique title.
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.

> WordPress plugin lights only measure length and a focus keyword. They do not judge quality or guarantee rankings.

## When Google rewrites your 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".

## Questions

### What is a SEO title?

It is the page’s title tag, the <title> element. Search engines show it as the result headline, and browsers use it as the tab name.

### What is the difference between SEO title and H1?

The SEO title lives in the head and appears in search results. The H1 lives in the body and appears on the page. They should say the same thing.

### How many characters should an SEO title have?

About 60 characters fit in a desktop result. Put the most important words first so they are visible even if the end is truncated or rewritten.

### Why did Google change my title?

Titles get rewritten when they are too long, repetitive or missing, or when they do not describe the page. Make them specific and align them with the H1.

### Do Yoast or Rank Math scores affect rankings?

No. Their green lights check length and whether your focus keyword appears. They do not measure quality or ensure a better position.

### Should I include my brand in every title?

Add your brand if it helps recognition or trust. On short titles like "/pricing", a "| Brand" suffix fits. On longer pages, drop it to keep key terms visible.

## Read next

- [Title tag](https://porteur.ai/glossary/title-tag): A title tag is the HTML title of a page. See how long it should be, why Google rewrites it, what to put in it, and how to fix weak titles.
- [Title tag length: what fits, what Google rewrites, and how to write one](https://porteur.ai/guides/title-tag-length): About 60 characters is a safe line. Learn pixels versus characters, why Google rewrites titles, and how to write titles that earn clicks.
- [Meta description](https://porteur.ai/glossary/meta-description): What a meta description is, how long to make it, why Google rewrites it, how to check yours, and what to write anyway for higher CTR.
- [On-page SEO checklist: the twelve things on the page](https://porteur.ai/guides/on-page-seo-checklist): The twelve page elements that move clicks and rankings, with examples you can copy to your own product pages today.
- [Title and meta description checker](https://porteur.ai/tools/title-and-meta-description-checker): Paste a page or type a title and a description: pixel widths, character counts, desktop and phone previews, with the h1 and canonical beside them.
- [Heading tags](https://porteur.ai/glossary/heading-tags): Heading tags are h1 to h6 in HTML. See how to structure pages, help Google and screen readers, and write headings that win snippets.

Paste a URL to get a fast read on your titles and how they show up against rivals, with three concrete fixes in about thirty seconds, free. Free check: https://porteur.ai/