Title Tag Length Too Long: How to Fix This Technical SEO Issue

Understanding Title Tag Length

What defines a long title tag

A title tag becomes ‘too long’ when it exceeds Google’s display limits in search results, typically around 600 pixels or 50-60 characters. While longer titles get truncated with ellipses (…) in search results, Google still indexes the full title for ranking purposes. The key consideration is that mobile devices show different lengths than desktop, with some titles displaying up to 1000 pixels on certain devices.

Impact on search visibility

Long title tags significantly impact how search engines display and process your pages. Titles exceeding display limits get truncated, potentially reducing click-through rates. However, even shorter titles aren’t immune to rewriting if they don’t align with page content or user intent. Google’s 2021 title update emphasizes shorter, more precise titles in search results to better match search intent.

Character limit guidelines

The recommended title tag length is 50-60 characters or 575-600 pixels to ensure full display in search results. For optimal results across devices: keep desktop titles under 600 pixels, ensure mobile titles remain readable if truncated, and prioritize relevant keywords in the first 50-60 characters. While longer titles may be indexed, shorter focused titles tend to earn higher click-through rates.

Why Title Length Matters

Search engine display limitations

Search engines have specific display limits that affect how title tags appear in results. On desktop, Google truncates titles after approximately 600 pixels (50-60 characters), while mobile devices can display varying lengths up to 1000 pixels depending on screen size. Google’s display algorithm may show different versions of the same title across mobile and desktop devices to optimize for each format’s constraints.

User experience considerations

When titles get cut off with ellipses, users can’t quickly scan the full context of your page, leading to lower click-through rates. Clear, complete titles that accurately preview the page content lead to better engagement since users know what to expect. When crafting titles, prioritize readability and user intent over keyword density^{[1] [2]}.

Click-through rate impact

Title tag length directly impacts click-through rates in search results. Truncated titles can reduce engagement by obscuring important information. The key is balancing length with relevance – titles should prioritize including critical keywords and value propositions in the first 50-60 characters while remaining readable if truncated. Regular testing and refinement of title lengths based on click-through data helps optimize for both search visibility and user engagement.

Common Issues with Long Title Tags

Truncation in search results

When title tags exceed Google’s display limits, search results truncate them with an ellipsis (…), typically after 50-60 characters or around 600 pixels. This truncation can cut off critical information and keywords, potentially reducing click-through rates. The truncation point varies based on character width – narrow letters like ‘i’ take less space than wide ones like ‘w’, making pixel width a more reliable measure than character count.^[3]

Keyword dilution

Keyword dilution occurs when title tags include too many keywords, reducing the relevance and impact of the primary target term. When titles attempt to target multiple keywords, search engines have difficulty determining the page’s main topic, potentially lowering rankings for all targeted terms. Google’s algorithms prefer titles that focus on a single primary keyword with natural variations rather than stuffing multiple keyword variations.^{[4] [5]}

Template-inherited problems

Template-inherited problems occur when content management systems automatically generate title tags based on page templates without proper customization. Common scenarios include product pages inheriting category names as prefixes or blog posts getting default date stamps. These template-based titles often include unnecessary elements that consume valuable character space. To prevent template bloat, audit title tag patterns across different page types and remove redundant elements.

Best Practices for Title Tag Optimization

Ideal character count ranges

Recent analysis shows titles between 51-55 characters have the lowest Google rewrite rate. The key is prioritizing critical keywords and value propositions in the first 50-60 characters while ensuring readability if truncated. Rather than strict character counts, focus on crafting precise, descriptive titles that align with search intent and page content.

Priority content placement

Place the primary keyword and most important descriptive terms within the first 50-60 characters to ensure they display before truncation in search results. Structure multi-part titles using pipes (|) or colons (:) to naturally separate concepts while maintaining readability. This approach helps search engines understand the page’s main topic while preserving space for essential modifiers that drive clicks.

Brand name positioning

Place brand names at the end of the title after a separator (| or -) since Google often removes them from display anyway. For established brands, including the name can boost click-through rates by leveraging brand recognition and trust. However, if space is limited, prioritize descriptive keywords and value propositions in the first 50-60 characters over brand names.

Implementation and Monitoring

Auditing existing title tags

Regular title tag audits help identify and fix common issues that hurt search visibility. Check for truncated titles exceeding 60 characters, missing or duplicate tags, and template-inherited problems. Compare title performance data to identify tags with low click-through rates relative to their ranking position. When auditing, prioritize high-traffic pages and those ranking on page one, since optimizing their titles often yields the biggest impact.

Tools for length checking

Several tools help check title tag length to prevent truncation in search results. These tools measure both character count and pixel width, accounting for how different characters affect pixel width. For accurate results, test titles across multiple tools since pixel calculations can vary slightly between platforms.

Tracking title performance

Focus on click-through rate (CTR) relative to ranking position when tracking title tag performance. Test different title variations by modifying tags on groups of similar pages and measuring results over 2-3 week periods. Beyond basic metrics, examine how titles perform across different search intents and queries. Regular testing of elements like keyword placement, length variations, and brand inclusion helps optimize click-through rates.

Conclusion

At Loud Interactive, our SEO experts can help you craft compelling title tags that drive clicks and boost your search visibility. We’ll analyze your current titles, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement data-driven optimizations to maximize your organic traffic.