Balise Title SEO : les règles simples pour bien l’optimiser
- Melanie Robin
- November 14, 2022
- 10:48 a.m.
- 0 comments
Updated April 28, 2024
The SEO title tag of a web page sets the tone and invites search engines, as well as visitors, to discover what you have to offer. As a website and e-commerce owner, discover in this article how to make your title tags irresistible for natural SEO. We will also talk about the importance of choosing the right keywords, writing titles that catch the eye and adjusting their length so that they shine in search results. SEO-optimized titles will help your web pages rank higher in search engines and attract traffic to your website.
What is the SEO title tag?
Meta tags are elements of HTML web language (Hypertext Markup Language) which help search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) scan your web pages and rank them in search results.
Defining a title tag
The “title” tag designates the title of a web page that appears in browser tabs and search results. It appears in the form of blue link in the results pages (SERP). The title tag is essential for natural reference, because it summarizes the content of the page and attracts the attention of Internet users. Indeed, a well-thought-out title encourage Internet users to click on your link rather than another. To be effective, it must be precise, attractive and integrate the keywords targeted.
💡Think about the SEO title tag as in the name of your web page.
The title tag is represented this way in the HTML code of your web page [ Check out my article on HTML tags ] :
Customizing your page title is just a click away, without touching a single line of code! Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress provide you with a dedicated field to insert the meta title. Simple and intuitive.
What length for the title of a web page?
To make your web page title (yes, that famous title tag) shine in all its splendor in search results, aim between 50 and 60 characters (500 pixels maximum). This range ensures that the title is displayed entirely in search results without being cut off. A concise and descriptive title is therefore the best choice to attract attention and get your message across loud and clear.
What is the difference between title tag and h1?
There H1 tag corresponds to the editorial title of your web page. To keep your page well-organized and easy to understand, it's a good idea to have only one H1. This helps clarify what the main topic of your page is, both to your readers and to search engines.
💡 Think of it like a newspaper headline that catches the eye once the visitor clicks on the page title.
What is the SEO title of a web page for?
The SEO title is far from trivial. It plays a key role in attracting attention and encouraging clicks, while helping to improve the positioning of your page in search results.
Make Internet users want to click
A well-thought-out SEO title captures interest without falling into exaggeration. This is an essential point to stand out from the crowd, but also to optimize click rate (CTR) of your web page or blog post. The idea is to arouse curiosity and the desire among readers, encouraging them to click to find out more. In short, your title should give a positive first impression, without promising more than the content can deliver.
Help Google and company rank your pages
A good title reflects what Internet users are looking for by aligning with their search intent. This is a key element for your page to stand out on the SERP (Search Engine Results Page). In other words, a well-chosen title doesn't just capture attention; it informs search engines about the relevance of content to user queries.
Sources: MOZ, Cyrus Shepard, SMX Next
How to optimize the SEO title tag?
To concoct meta titles that are placed at the top of the first page of results, consider this “On Page” optimization like a refined cuisine recipe. Here are some key ingredients to charm Internet users and impress the big boss Google.
Use one title per page
A simple rule: never forget the title tag. Indeed, title tags give flavor to your pages by making them attractive to search engines and users.
Insert relevant keywords
Be sure to include a main keyword in your title, which highlights the importance of keyword research before even starting to write your texts. This allows you to precisely align your page with the queries of your target audience. You can also sprinkle a few secondary keywords or your brand name at the end of the title, separating them with a hyphen for better readability. And above all, beware of excessive gluttony with keywords!
💡 Note: One page = one primary keyword that speaks directly to your ideal customer (don't forget to tweak your buyer persona).
Design a title related to the content
Your title should accurately reflect the heart of your web page or blog post. It must clearly and precisely state the content that visitors will discover by clicking. Leave aside overly generic titles such as “welcome to my site” or “home page”. These names lack originality, but above all: it is unlikely that they correspond to the terms searched by your target audience on Google to land on your page.
Place the keyword at the start of the title
Place your targeted keyword at the top of your title to make it easier for Google. This helps the search engine quickly grasp the main topic of your page.
Avoid unnecessary words
Get rid of empty words that do not add value to your title, such as indefinite and definite articles (le, la, les, un, une) and prepositions (de, du). These little words weigh down your title without contributing to its clarity or impact. By eliminating them, you make your title more impactful and easier to grasp at a glance.
Write a title different from H1
On the question of whether the title and the H1 title of a page should be twins, opinions differ. Some opt for simplicity and consistency by keeping them the same, while others prefer to differentiate them. Here's why you might consider varying the title and H1:
- Boost your SEO: diversifying the title and H1 increases the visibility of your content. Consider developing the lexical field in the editorial title.
- Anticipate the possible rewriting the title tag : Google, in its eternal quest for the perfect title, can sometimes decide that the title does not suit it. They may choose to highlight your H1 instead.
Create a unique SEO title
To web crawlers, a copy-pasted title is like a reheated dish: unappetizing and certainly not worthy of a main course in search results. So, create a title which is not found anywhere else on the Internet. This is how you will offer a user experience standout, inviting visitors to savor every word of your page.
Write in lowercase
Keep capital letters and special characters to a minimum in your title. Leave the emojis for more informal messages. Excessive use can be distracting and/or unprofessional from your content, not to mention the risk of appearing garish to readers.
State a promise of value in your title
Highlight what makes your web page unique by offering a captivating promise that piques the curiosity of your readership. Give them an intriguing challenge or enlighten them to a unique benefit they could gain. Make sure that the content offered lives up to your promises and that it accurately reflects your ads.
Use powerful words, numbers and questions
Energize your title with strong verbs, true words. Avoid jargon, bland terms and negative words. Use superlatives sparingly – avoid “extraordinary” or “stunning” at every corner of a sentence.
The numbers have that little something that catches the eye – some even seem to have a special power. For example, “15 Simple Meal Ideas with Just 3 Ingredients” has a certain effect, doesn't it? A little research on the Internet will reveal the magic numbers in copywriting.
Finally, ask questions that resonate with your audience. This is a strategy that is particularly relevant for targeting position 0 in the search results, the “People Also Ask” (PPA) sections and optimize for voice search. For this, the Quora platform contains a gold mine of inspiration.
Address humans first and foremost
Get back to basics: think about your persona, this real person on the other side of the screen. Remember to infuse your content strategy with your personal essence and emotional touches.
Check your web page markup
Remember to pay special attention to the HTML markup of your pages. Google crawls, indexes and ranks your content in search results much more effectively when your HTML structure is impeccable. So have you been well informed? your title tag ? This is an essential element to ensure good visibility of your page in the ocean of search results.
The source code of the page
A simple right-click on a web page, clicking “Inspect”, allows you to take a look at the source code. And now let me introduce you to a tool that might interest you.
The SEO Meta in 1 Click extension
Are you looking for a simple tip to check the structure of your web page? Try a tool dedicated to this purpose. With just one click, eliminate the hassle of missing tags with the free Chrome extension “ SEO Meta in 1 Click ". It's a quick and effective way to ensure everything is in place for optimal SEO.
Screenshot of the SEO Meta in 1 click extension. This tool allows you to control, among other things, the title,
the meta description, titles and subtitles, images of your web pages.
What you must remember
As we have just seen, the SEO title tag plays a crucial role in the art of referencing your web page. Finding the perfect title is a bit like looking for the rare pearl, it doesn't exist. On the other hand, a well-thought-out title is the first step to captivating the audience and the algorithms. If the choice of keywords remains essential, the user experience remains no less important. You now have all the key ingredients for a successful recipe for an optimized title.
Consultant in natural referencing (SEO) and digital strategies in Paris. I help businesses optimize their online visibility.
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