How to write title tags and meta descriptions
What we will go through
- How to write a title tag that earns clicks
- How long titles and descriptions should be
- Why search engines sometimes rewrite them
Short answer
A title tag is the clickable headline in search results. A meta description is the short summary below it. Write titles of about 50 to 60 characters with your keyword near the start. Write descriptions of 120 to 160 characters that explain the benefit. Together, they form your search snippet and decide whether people click.
Why these two matter
Your title tag helps Google and other search engines understand your page. It is also the first thing searchers read.
The meta description does not directly affect rankings. But it can raise your click-through rate, or CTR: the share of people who see your result and click it. More clicks mean more visitors from the same ranking.
How to write a strong title tag
- Put the keyword near the start. Searchers scan the first few words.
- Keep it about 50 to 60 characters. Search engines measure titles by pixel width, about 600 pixels on desktop Google. Longer titles get cut off with “…”
- Make each title unique. No two pages should share a title.
- Add a reason to click. A year, a number, a benefit, or “free.”
- Add your brand at the end if space allows.
Title formulas that work:
| Formula | Example |
|---|---|
| Keyword: Benefit | Aircon Cleaning Pasig: Same-Day Service from ₱600 |
| How to Keyword (Number Steps) | How to Renew Your Passport Online (5 Easy Steps) |
| Best Keyword for Audience Year | Best Budget Phones for Students in 2026 |
| Keyword in Place, Brand | Custom Cakes in Quezon City, Sweet Lola’s |
If you use prices or years, keep them updated.
How to write a meta description that earns the click
- Aim for 120 to 160 characters. Longer ones get cut off.
- Include the keyword. Search engines often bold words that match the search.
- Say what the reader gets. Prices, steps, free tools, or delivery areas.
- End with a soft call to action. “Get a free quote” or “See the full list.”
Example: “Same-day aircon cleaning in Pasig and Ortigas. Split and window type, from ₱600. Book online in 2 minutes.”
Why search engines rewrite them
Google, Bing, and other search engines can change your title or description in the results. They do this when they think another part of your page better matches the search.
You cannot stop this fully. Clear, accurate titles that match your H1 make rewrites less likely.
SERP snippet editor
Quick quiz
Common mistakes
- Same title on every page. Each page needs its own title.
- Clickbait that the page does not deliver. People bounce, and trust drops.
- Leaving the description blank. The search engine picks random text instead.
- Old years in titles. “Best phones 2023” looks outdated in 2026.
Your action
Key terms
- Title tag
- The HTML title of a page, often shown as the headline in search results.
- Meta description
- A short HTML summary of a page, often shown under the title.
- Search snippet
- The full result: title, URL, and description.
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Clicks divided by impressions, shown as a percentage.
- Pixel width
- How much screen space text uses. Wide letters take more space.
Questions beginners ask
Is the title tag the same as the H1?
Not always. The title tag shows in search results. The H1 shows on the page. They should match in topic, but can be worded differently.
How do I edit these in WordPress?
Use an SEO plugin like Yoast or Rank Math. Each page gets fields for the SEO title and meta description.
Related lessons
Want someone to handle SEO for your business while you learn? The team at Remar Digital can help.