Title Does Not Match SEO Title

Description

The HTML title tag and SEO title (meta title) on these pages do not match. The SEO title is what appears in search engine results pages (SERPs), while the HTML title is what shows in the browser tab. Having different titles can confuse users and impact click-through rates.

How to Fix

Review the pages where the HTML title and SEO title don't match. Consider:

• Making the HTML title and SEO title identical if possible • If they must differ, ensure both accurately represent the page content • Keep titles under 60 characters to prevent truncation in search results • Include your main keyword near the start of both titles • Make titles compelling and click-worthy while staying relevant

Test how your titles appear in search results using Google's Rich Results Test tool.

Detailed Analysis

1. What Causes This Issue

The issue of mismatched titles arises when the HTML title tag, which is the title seen in the browser tab, differs from the SEO title, often referred to as the meta title, which appears in search engine results pages (SERPs). This discrepancy can occur due to several reasons:

• CMS Configuration: Some content management systems (CMS) have separate fields for the HTML title and the SEO title. Editors may inadvertently enter different titles in these fields.
• Manual Errors: When manually editing titles, inconsistencies can occur if changes are made to one title and not the other.
• Automated Systems: Automated title generation systems might generate different titles for the browser and SERPs if not properly synchronized.
• Lack of Coordination: When different teams are responsible for on-page and off-page SEO, a lack of coordination can result in mismatched titles.

2. Why It's Important

• User Confusion: If users click on a link expecting a certain content based on the SEO title, but see a different title in the browser, it can lead to confusion and mistrust.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The SEO title is a key factor in determining whether a user will click on a search result. A mismatch might lead to lower CTRs if the SEO title is not compelling or relevant.
• Brand Consistency: Consistent messaging in titles helps in establishing and maintaining brand consistency. Discrepancies can dilute brand presence and messaging.
• SEO Impact: Search engines use the title tag as a significant ranking factor. If the HTML title is not optimized due to a mismatch, it could impact search rankings.

3. Best Practices to Prevent It

• Unified Title Strategy: Ensure that there is a single source of truth for titles. Use the same title for both HTML and SEO purposes unless there is a strategic reason not to.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of your website’s titles to ensure consistency and relevancy. Tools like Screaming Frog or SEMrush can be helpful for this.
• CMS Alignment: Configure your CMS so that it uses the same field for both the HTML and SEO titles, or at least ensures they default to the same value unless changed deliberately.
• Team Coordination: Ensure coordination between teams responsible for content creation and SEO to maintain consistency.
• Automate Synchronization: Use plugins or scripts that ensure any change in the HTML title automatically updates the SEO title, and vice versa.

4. Examples of Good and Bad Cases

Good Case Example:

• HTML Title: "Best Running Shoes for 2023 | Sports Gear Store"
• SEO Title: "Best Running Shoes for 2023 | Sports Gear Store"

In this case, both titles are consistent and provide a clear, relevant description of the page content, enhancing user trust and aiding SEO efforts.

Bad Case Example:

• HTML Title: "Sports Gear - Homepage"
• SEO Title: "Top Running Shoes for Marathon Runners in 2023"

Here, the HTML title is too generic and unrelated to the SEO title, which might mislead users expecting specific content on running shoes but landing on a more generic homepage.

By maintaining consistency between the HTML and SEO titles, you can enhance user experience, improve click-through rates, and strengthen SEO performance.