Title Tag
The HTML `<title>` element on a page. Google often uses its content to generate the clickable headline (the "title link") in search results.
Definition
A title tag is the HTML `<title>` element placed inside a page's `<head>`, defining the page's title. Google uses its contents — alongside other on-page signals — to generate the clickable headline (the "title link") shown in search results.
Google does not always display the exact title-tag text in the SERP. Its systems may rewrite the title link using the page's H1, anchor text from links pointing at the page, or other on-page content if the title is empty, repetitive, boilerplate, or doesn't match the query well. Google's documentation suggests titles be unique per page, descriptive of the content, and concise enough to display without truncation; very long titles are typically truncated in the SERP at around 50–60 characters depending on viewport width.
Examples
When Google rewrites the title link
A bakery's about page sets `<title>About Sunrise Bakery — Family-Owned Since 1992</title>` and Google uses this as the search-result headline. After the title is shortened to `<title>Our Story</title>`, Google rewrites the SERP title to use the on-page H1 ("About Sunrise Bakery") instead.
Sources
Related terms
Where QueryCatch uses this
Last updated: 10/05/2026