Shreding The Title Tag Fable
Before I rant further and completely lost my mind (I always do since the new semester started), just a quick shout to you guys that this is my 100th quixotic talks. It took me nearly a year to produce my 100th post, and still not able to connect with Mostly Lisa 
.
Obviously, I am not going to talk about Lisa in this post. What I want to share is much more interesting if you love Google as much as I do. Back on Nov. 26, I started a little experiment on Google SERP. With this post: I changed my tag line and blog’s title, I changed my blog’s title (the previous one was “Make Money Online | Internet Marketing | Ramblings of an unknown” – yea, it was ugly) to Norhafidz Quixotic Blog – Ramblings of an unknown.
I started this little experiment on the “title tag vs. serp”, since most of the tutorials on the Net emphasizing the importance of the title tag (as an on page strategy) to be on the comfort position on SERP. I am curious to know whether it is an effective technique or just hereditary fable. The purpose of this experiment is to see a blog rank higher in SERP without using the title tag strategy.
Title Tag..
Some of you may ask, what is the title tag? Let’s do some wikipedia session:
<title></title>
Define a document title. This element is required in every HTML and XHTML document. Different user agents may make use of the title in different ways. For example:
- Web browsers usually display it in a window’s title bar when the window is open, and in the task bar when the window is minimized.
- It may become the default filename when saving the page.
- Search engines‘ Web crawlers may pay particular attention to the words used in the title.
The
titleelement must not contain any nested tags (that is, it cannot contain any other elements). Only onetitleelement is permitted in a document.
Notice how wikipedia stated that web crawlers MAY pay particular attention to our title tag. Obviously, no one knows Google’s algorithm or how they rank websites better than Larry and Sergey. But this fact (using title tag to rank higher on SERP) has been widely spread on almost every sites on the Net.
I started this experiment by targeting a keyword which was “make money on internet”. Then, I expelled my previous title tag and set a new one – Norhafidz’s Quixotic Blog – Ramblings of an unknown. Through this time span, I did less job on the on page strategy and focusing more on the off page strategy.
The Result..
Instead of posting pictures and images, I decided to put a video this time (excuse the quality of the video – this is my first video ever). I checked the result on Google (Malaysia) and Google.com:
So if you ask me, does title tag helps a lot in SEO, my answer would be a definite no. Does it helps you?
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I don’t think it is the title tag, so much as having keywords in the url that helps in individual posts. The title tag just gives you more keyword density.
~ Kristi
Hey Norhfidz, I was under the impression that the title tag did help with the SEO when it came to a post, but now after seeing and reading your post I’m going to have to read up a little bit more before I say for sure. I do definitely agree that having the correct keywords in your url helps with the Search engines. In regards to your 100th post congratulations on that and hang in there with Mostly Lisa
jj-momscashblogs last blog post..Taxes and blog income
hmm i am under the impression that title sometime do help but towards certain extend. but the most important i think would also depend on the keyword of the content and all. but that is only my opinion. But like kikolani said, it increases the density of keyword on your blog.
Here where I disagree with you N; Title tag is not a
‘super-duper-major-serp-booster’ However it will give you the edge up against other ‘competitors’.
For example two urls about ‘oiopublisher’ if both are exactly the same permalink / content etc etc. if one had a better ‘title’ tag it would rank slightly higher for that keyword.
My research on our sites has indicated that the title tag is still very relevant.
Boris the SEOs last blog post..The 109 Day Link Building Explosion – Day 25
i think its works.
I think no matter what keyword we use for a post/page as long as it has exact amount of backlinks with sufficient words inside and in addition well structured design then everything will be working amazingly.
yeah..i guess so..title tag keyword’s very important for positions in search engine..
Does it helps you?
Hi Nor, my answer is yes, defends on how we target our reader and how we choose the keyword.
Busby SEO Tests last blog post..Busby SEO Test
Hi i can say that i don’t have much information, since i am new webmaster ans trying to learn what is SEO, so i thing this will defiantly gonna help me a lot, thank you very much for sharing this information
nice blog .we really thankfull for having such information about web.thanks
I was always under the impression that the title tag gave you an quite a boost over some other sites in the listings, I’ll go take a read around. Grats on the 100th post by the way
Scroobys last blog post..Finger Thin TV’s
hi, that great tip , it works…
thank you for sharing…
Like you said it’s impossible to know what Google’s algorithm does, but if you look at the SERP’s for competitive keywords everyone in the top ten have the keyword in the title tag
Marks last blog post..Paper Roses for a First Wedding Anniversary Gift
My blog always had the title of the blog used for each page. I recently swapped it to the title of each post for each individual post. The result was , I took a beating in the SERPS. It could be that my blog title happens to include my keywords but I also made sure to use them in the title for each post as well. So I am starting to be more skeptical on the title tag. But not quite ready to give up on it either.
Blog For Moneys last blog post..WidgetBucks Update
In this regard, I find the WordPress plug in “All in One SEO Pack” very useful as you can change the title tag with every post – if you want to
AshleyScs last blog post..Tour de France
In my opinion, title tag help in seo.But not help much more.
Just Dropping by hoping for a link exchange!
infosoftzs last blog post..Aus Loses to newzealand
The topic is very useful and interesting about the title for the blog. Thank for giving tips.
It’s hard to see something in the video. Probably you could post it in better resolution somewhere?
Webkinzs last blog post..Webkinz Jr. Releases by Ganz
You know, only 2 months isn’t all that long in internet terms. I find that SEO sort of things can take awhile to kick in, so you may have to wait just a little longer before you see your position start to slide…
blog keywordss last blog post..Free Giveaway Fridays – Jan 30
yes i agree with you that title tag really plays an important role in the ranking of page in serp but other factors also affect the ranking …
Nice post,,, i like the information provided by you and the video also explains it..
Tags are important, otherwise why would the WordPress creators implement them
?
-Ricardo
Pigeon Pest Controls last blog post..Pigeon Repellent
yes i agree that title tag really plays an important role in ranking of page.good post thanks for such important information….
The post is really interesting.. nice information about
SEO thank you keep sharing….
would this make you feel better??
mostly lisas last blog post..TRANSFORMERS 2 – Revenge of the Fallen
Interesting. I’ve always thought it was important for seo but have never done any testing. I still believe it is important to have a good, relevant title because blogs are read by people not search engines.
this is helpful, thanks:))
Title tag does give value. I agree with donace. If you have a teasing title and also have the keywords in the title. It helps.
I always do that way and i have got 86% of my traffic is Search engine traffic.
Nihars last blog post..January 2009 Blog Traffic & Income statistics
Hi that is nice post, Thank you for the tips relating to SEO…keep sharing the information plz…
It seems that Google is contantly changing or at least not revealing aspects of their ranking in order to prevent illegitimate seo optimization.
I guess link building and having the desired anchor text still build anything else for SEO.
Ben
Nice video, thanks a lot…
Really it is nice video and provide very useful information.
Your current title tag is indeed nicer ;P I actually never gave a thought about it, but now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ll make sure I’ll make the most out of my blog title too.
In my opinion you did not run a fair test. “Through this time span, I did less job on the on page strategy and focusing more on the off page strategy”. To keep the test absolutely fair, you should’ve changed nothing about your strategy other than your title tags.
I still think title tags have a solid value, but only as part of a larger SEO strategy.
Website designs last blog post..Checklist ‘Mijn Website Is Stuk’
Really it is very useful and thanks for sharing this strategy.
Great video. thank you very much. keep updating…
ericcantonnas last blog post..www wamucards com
Where are you… how come no update on this blog…
Interesting finding…Just before reading this post, I thought changing title tag would surely make our page go down in SERPs . I read about it in another blog.
Its very useful to me. Its very relevant to me as beginner. Thank’s
Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009s last blog post..Capiznon SEO nuggets
I guess title tags can help sometimes. I think putting some keywords in the title tag can improve keyword density. Title tag helps in SEO if it has keywords in it.
different people has an different strategy. as you say no one know what exactly google algorithm. btw all aspect are important like meta keywords, category and tags. i have some experiment which i was wrote on my blog
Very useful post i’m a webmaster so it would be very helpful to learn more about SEO and blog title.
This is awesome stuff!
I hate being the newbie, there is so much to learn
First time here, I will be back for more.
Thanks
Honestly it just one of onpage seo, I tested for my blog uptownmalaysia.com/blog i change the tag line to “Malaysia Traveling Blog” and do nothing. Less than 2 weeks, this blog at SERP but still not stable.
Future Internet Entrepreneurs last blog post..MySpace Web 2.0
Is it useful? Yes. Does it help you? Yes. How much? I think it varies on a case by case basis.
I’d also say no but I think that if a person does a search query with a keyword, having that keyword in your title can increase your click through rate. But as far as SEO is concerned I think that mostly it doesn’t matter.
I think it helps but the amount it helps is overblown
IMHO – Title tags are one of the most important *on page* seo optimisations that you can make.
Off page optimisations (mostly links) are still more important.
While I certainly do not agree with the premises of your argument it does appear to be good linkbait… Almost 50 comment! Not bad indeed.
Good explanation makes a person proud of himself. No matter what the circumstances are, the best thing in this very competitive web world is to be a good “member” and not to do any untoward action that will eventually lead to being “outcast”. Title tag focusing is really one of the “ways” to achieve that much anticipated high ratings (PR).
The post is really nice and very interesting and thanks for providing this information.
Really it is very interesting post and thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for sharing it and really this post is very useful and keep it sharing.
Indeed, That the title tag is a very good technique in search engine optimization.
Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009s last blog post..Why Hectic!
Hi,
I think that like most things to do with SEO everything helps to push you up the serps, something’s more than others.
I think title tags are still relevant, and lets face it won’t hurt to have your keyword in there. At the end of the day there are only 3 things that determine your position in Google…Links, Links and Links
All the Best
John
It’s always interesting to see the outcomes of other bloggers’ experiments. I’m sorry to see the change didn’t result in the outcome you expected, but congratulations on the 100th post.
Erik | Curtains last blog post..Mickey Mouse Fabric Shower Curtain
This is a real eye-opener. Maybe I can change some of my ugly, bulky, keyword-stuffed titles now…thanks!
Really it is great tip and thanks for sharing it.
Great post! I’m always happy to find a post on SEO and Google that actually has some degree of testing to back it up. Thanks for sharing another point of view!
Online Freelance Writing Blogs last blog post..Freelance Writing: Freelance Writing Movie Reviews Online
I believe that it can’t hurt. But then you also need to ensure that your title is accurate to what the content is and not just keyword stuffing in hopes of a good ranking.
Tracys last blog post..Valentines Day Special Karmin Titanium Only $75.00!
I found the title tag relevant for the site rankings as well as CTR’s!
I agree with you and title tag will be most relevant with site and thanks for sharing it.
Mostly Lisa is just very nice
Great post! I’m always happy.I agree with you and title tag will be most relevant with site and thanks for sharing it.
Title tag do helps, it probably will not help much for extremely competitive key words and phrases but for new ones I believe it plays a big role.
Regards,
Deimos Tel`Arin (DTA) @ ahkong.net
P/S: Help me delete the previous comment as the name is wrong. Thank you.
It’s most obvious thing about a website that title tag should be most relevant to website.
I also agree with this title tag phenomena.
adding a tag title places a little more specificity to the title, which could be what one wants; however, if traffic is the goal, then maybe bypass the tag title….In the end, anything that hones one’s sites searchability can’t hurt.
i guess its needed to change it sometimes..
bantingboys last blog post..Jennifer Love Hewit in Bra Commercial
The title tag is very important. If your blog post title has keyboard “money”, and the name of your blog is “OMGmanwow”, the person who is browsing for money would stay away from your OMGmanwow website. They want to find the word money in the title so they will click on it.
Kai Los last blog post..Should You Write Long or Short Blog Posts
I think that with your original title tag, you were targeting two phrases you had absolutely zero chance of ranking for.
“Make Money Online” and “Internet Marketing” are two of the most competitive keywords on the planet.
If you’d chosen something less competitive, I think you would have seen very different results.
I agree that the title tag does present opportunities to help improve search but I’ve found it most effective in organizing a website with a high volume of hierarchical documents and archived pages. I familiarized myself with the library cataloging systems such as the Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress system to create a naming convention that helps with consistency and identification.
From my experience, while the title tag is by far not the ultimate tool in SEO, it does help. It’s just that there is so much more you need to focus on and do correctly, that while it does help, there are numerous things that are helpful too. The key to success here is using them all, especially if you’re targetting a keyword with heavy competition.
Pozycjonowanie Poznans last blog post..Gry dla dzieci
Google is one great big mystery! If only they would let us know some parts of the algorithm. Where is the love Google? Just Kidding!
Title tag keyword’s are play a very important in posting a post. Because some one searching for some like SEO technique and you post content like this information. But you title does not match with it. So, what is your result will be. Take a look at it.
I hate being the newbie, there is so much to learn
First time here, I will be back for more.
@Online Colleges: that is most probably as equal as giving you the Google itself