Pre-titles, also called meta-titles or SEO titles, are important for optimising websites and engaging users. These concise snippets of text appear in search engine results and browser tabs, providing users with a glimpse into the content of your web pages. Crafting effective pre-titles requires strategic thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of SEO principles. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of pre-titles, their SEO benefits, and best practices.
Pre-titles are HTML elements that specify the title of a webpage. Various contexts display them, including search engine results pages (SERPs), browser tabs, and social media shares.
Pre-titles are links that users can click on to go to your site. They give a short summary of what is on the webpage. This summary is meant to attract users to your site.
Better search visibility: Using pre-titles with relevant keywords can help your pages show up in search results for relevant queries.
Increased Click Through Rate (CTR): Compelling pre-titles can attract users’ attention and encourage them to click on your links, thereby boosting your CTR.
Better User Experience (UX): Clear pre-titles make it easier for users to understand your page content, improving their browsing experience.
Brand Recognition: Consistently using your brand name in pre-titles reinforces brand awareness and recognition among users. if you are targeting a location this is a great place for it, for example: “Kent based Locksmiths”
Google Search Console: Monitor the performance of your pre-titles in search results and make adjustments based on analytics data.
Pre- titles are also relevant for social media posts too as they appear in the post post preview.
Incorporate Relevant Keywords: Conduct keyword research to identify terms and phrases that your target audience is likely to use when searching for content related to your website. Integrate these keywords naturally into your pre-titles to improve their SEO effectiveness.
Maintain Conciseness: Pre-titles should ideally be between 50 to 60 characters long to ensure they are fully displayed in search results. Keep them concise while accurately summarising the content of your web pages.
Be Descriptive and Compelling: Craft pre-titles that accurately reflect the content of your pages while enticing users to click through. Use action words, numbers, or compelling questions to capture attention.
Optimise for Branding: Include your brand name in pre-titles, especially for pages that represent your brand or key offerings. This fosters brand recognition and trust among users.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While it’s essential to include relevant keywords, avoid overloading pre-titles with excessive keywords. Focus on creating titles that are readable and user-friendly.
Tailor Pre-Titles for Social Media: Customise pre-titles for social media platforms to maximise engagement. Consider using hashtags or addressing specific audience pain points to resonate with your social media followers.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different pre-title variations to identify the most effective ones for your target audience.
Pre-titles should be utilised for every webpage on your site to optimise its visibility and click through potential. However, certain pages may require special attention, such as:
Homepage: Craft a compelling pre-title that represents your brand identity and value proposition.
Product Pages: Include product names, features, and benefits in pre-titles to attract potential customers.
Blog Posts: Use descriptive pre-titles that accurately summarise the topic of each blog post to attract readers.
Landing Pages: Create persuasive pre-titles that align with the goals of your landing pages, whether it’s generating leads, promoting a product, or driving downloads.
By following best practices, such as incorporating relevant keywords, maintaining conciseness, and crafting compelling titles, you can enhance the visibility and click through rate of your web pages. Continuously monitor and refine your pre-titles based on performance data and industry research to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimisation.
For a deeper dive, you can head to Google’s starter guide.
