HTML title Tag Complete Guide with Examples & Best Practices

Introduction: Why the HTML <title> Tag Is Important

When you open a webpage in a browser, the text shown on the browser tab comes from the HTML <title> tag.

The <title> tag plays a critical role in:

  • Browser tabs

  • Search engine results (SEO)

  • Bookmarks and history

  • User experience

Even though it is a small tag, it has a big impact on SEO and usability.
Every HTML page must have exactly one <title> tag.

What Is the HTML title Tag?

The HTML <title> tag defines the title of the webpage.

👉 In simple terms:
It tells browsers and search engines what the page is about.

Basic Syntax of the <title> Tag

<title>My Portfolio</title>

Important Rules

  • Must be placed inside the <head> section

  • Only one <title> per page

  • Text-only (no HTML tags inside)

Where Does the title Tag Appear?

The <title> tag is displayed in:

  1. Browser tab

  2. Search engine results (SERP)

  3. Bookmarks

  4. Browser history

👉 This makes it one of the most important SEO elements.

 

Example 1: Basic HTML Page with <title>

 
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>My First HTML Page</title>
</head>
<body>

  <h1>Welcome</h1>
  <p>This is my website.</p>

</body>
</html>

Result

  • Browser tab shows: My First HTML Page

  • Page is identifiable and professional

HTML title Tag and SEO (Very Important)

Search engines use the <title> tag as:

  • The main clickable headline in search results

  • A strong ranking signal

Example (Google Search Result)

 
HTML Title Tag Explained | SEO, Examples & Best Practices

👉 This text comes directly from the <title> tag.

SEO Best Practices for title Tag

1. Keep It Short and Clear

  • Ideal length: 50–60 characters

  • Avoid truncation in search results

 2. Use Main Keyword First

 
<title>HTML Title Tag – Complete Beginner Guide</title>

 3. Make Each Page Title Unique

❌ Bad:

 
<title>Home</title>

✅ Good:

 
<title>Home | Learn HTML for Beginners</title>

 4. Write for Humans, Not Just Search Engines

  • Clear

  • Descriptive

  • Meaningful

Common Title Tag Examples

Website Home Page

 
<title>Learn HTML & CSS | Beginner Web Development</title>

Blog Article

 
<title>HTML Title Tag Explained – SEO Guide</title>

Product Page

 
<title>HP Laptop i5 (8GB RAM) – Buy Online</title>

Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Placing <title> inside <body>
  •  Using multiple <title> tags
  •  Writing very long titles
  •  Keyword stuffing
  •  Using same title for all pages

HTML title vs h1(Important Difference)

Feature<title><h1>
Location<head><body>
Visible on page❌ No✅ Yes
SEO importance✅ Very High✅ High
Browser tab✅ Yes❌ No
Use casePage identityPage heading

👉 Both are important and should match contextually, not be identical.

Accessibility Benefits of title Tag

  • Screen readers announce page titles

  • Helps users understand page context

  • Improves navigation for visually impaired users

Best Practices Summary

  • Always include a <title> tag
  • Use one unique title per page
  •  Keep length under 60 characters
  •  Include primary keyword
  • Make it readable and descriptive

FAQs: HTML title Tag

Is the <title> tag mandatory?

Yes. Every HTML page should have one <title> tag.

Can I use HTML tags inside <title>?

No. Only plain text is allowed.

Does <title> affect SEO?

Yes. It is one of the most important on-page SEO factors.

How long should a title tag be?

Ideally 50–60 characters.

Can <title> and <h1> be the same?

They can be similar, but should not always be identical.