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Title Tags

5-10 minBeginner

Title tags are one of the most important on-page SEO elements. In WordPress, you can manage them through SEO plugins (Yoast, Rank Math, All in One SEO), theme settings, or custom code. This guide covers all approaches so you can choose what works best for your setup.

Prerequisites

  • WordPress admin access (wp-admin)
  • FTP/SFTP access (for code method only)
  • Child theme set up (recommended for code modifications)
Easy Recommended

Using Yoast SEO Plugin

The most popular WordPress SEO plugin with over 5 million active installations. Great for beginners with a user-friendly interface.

1

Install Yoast SEO

1

Go to Plugins > Add New in WordPress admin

2

Search for "Yoast SEO"

3

Click Install Now, then Activate

4

Complete the configuration wizard that appears

The free version is sufficient for title tag management
2

Configure Global Title Settings

1

Go to Yoast SEO > Settings

2

Click on "Site Basics" in the left menu

3

Set your Site Title and Title Separator (|, -, etc.)

4

Configure the default title template using variables

5

Click Save Changes

Example
Template Example: %%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%
3

Set Individual Page Titles

1

Edit any page or post

2

Scroll to the Yoast SEO panel below the content

3

Click "Edit snippet"

4

Enter your custom SEO title (or use variables)

5

Check the preview - keep it under 60 characters

6

Update/Publish the page

Best Practices

Do

  • Keep titles under 60 characters to avoid truncation
  • Include primary keyword near the beginning
  • Make every page title unique across your site
  • Use brand name at the end: "Page Title | Brand"
  • Match title closely to page content/H1
  • Write for humans first, search engines second
  • Use separators like | or - for readability

Don't

  • Stuff keywords: "SEO Tips, Best SEO Tips, SEO Advice, SEO Help"
  • Use the same title on multiple pages
  • Make titles too long (over 60 characters)
  • Use ALL CAPS or excessive punctuation!!!
  • Leave default "Just another WordPress site" tagline
  • Use misleading or clickbait titles
  • Forget to update titles when page content changes

Verification Checklist

  • View page source (Ctrl+U / Cmd+U) and search for <title>
  • Check browser tab shows correct title
  • Title is under 60 characters (check in SERP preview)
  • Test multiple pages to ensure titles are unique
  • Use Google Search Console to check for title issues
  • Search for your page on Google and verify display

Pro Tips

  • Use Yoast/Rank Math variables for dynamic titles that update automatically
  • Check competitor titles for keyword and length inspiration
  • Include location in title for local SEO: "Plumber in Seattle | Company"
  • Test different title formats and monitor CTR in Search Console
  • Use the SERP preview feature before publishing
  • For large sites, use bulk editing features in SEO plugins

Common Issues & Fixes

Problem: Title shows twice or looks duplicated
Solution: Your theme is outputting its own title tag. Either disable theme SEO features in theme settings, or ensure your theme has add_theme_support('title-tag') and let WordPress/plugins handle it.
Prevention: Before installing an SEO plugin, check if your theme has SEO features enabled and disable them.
Problem: Changes not appearing after saving
Solution: Clear all caches: WordPress caching plugin, server cache, CDN cache (Cloudflare), and browser cache. Wait 5-10 minutes and try again.
Prevention: Set up a staging environment without caching for testing SEO changes.
Problem: Google showing different title than what I set
Solution: Google sometimes rewrites titles if they seem too long, keyword-stuffed, or not matching page content. Make sure your title accurately describes the page and is under 60 chars.
Prevention: Write natural, descriptive titles that match your page H1 and content.
Problem: SEO plugin meta box not appearing in editor
Solution: Check Screen Options (top right) to ensure the meta box is enabled. If using Gutenberg, look for the plugin icon in the sidebar or top toolbar.
Problem: Variables like %%title%% showing as text instead of values
Solution: This means the SEO plugin isn't processing the template. Check that the plugin is activated and there are no PHP errors. Try deactivating other plugins to test for conflicts.