Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
What is the page title?
The page title sits in the code of every page and shows up on Google as the blue, clickable line. Google calls it the title link in its documentation. Every page needs its own title. Google recommends keeping it unique, descriptive and short, and not repeating search terms.
How do I build a good title?
A proven structure for local businesses:
Service, place, what sets you apart, name
| before | after |
|---|---|
| Home page | Physiotherapy in Hanau, evening appointments too, Praxis Muster |
| Services | Bathroom renovation in Kassel at a fixed price, Muster Haustechnik |
| Welcome to Café Linde | Breakfast until 2 pm in the old town, Café Linde |
For small businesses, the name works better at the end. Customers search for the service, not for your name, as long as they do not know you yet.
What is the description?
The meta description is a short text in the code that Google often shows under the title. According to Google, the search engine may use text from the page instead if it fits the search better. A good description still raises the chance of a click.
A good description:
- answers the question behind the search
- names a concrete benefit, for example appointment within 48 hours, fixed price, parking
- ends with what the reader can do next
How long should titles and descriptions be?
Google gives no fixed character count, but it cuts off texts that are too long. As a rule of thumb, about 50 to 60 characters for the title and 120 to 160 for the description have proven to work. Put the most important part first.
Why does Google rewrite my title?
According to Google, the title link can be generated from other sources on the page, such as the main heading, if the title is missing, too long, stuffed with search terms or does not match the content. The best remedy: title and main heading fit together and describe the content honestly.
How can I tell a title is not working?
In Search Console under Performance: a page has many impressions but few clicks. On websites our agency looks after, we measured a click rate of 9.7% for a property management company and 6.4% for a beverage retailer, for example. If your page is clearly below that despite ranking high, it is worth reworking the title and description.
At freeehouse every page gets its own title and description, matched to what your customers search for. We do not charge for building the website, you only pay for hosting, cheaper than today. Claim your spot on the waiting list
What about the main heading?
The main heading on the page, the H1, should fit the title but does not have to be identical. It speaks to the visitor who is already on the page, while the title speaks to the one still deciding in the search results. Every page has exactly one main heading.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a page title be?
Google names no fixed limit, but it cuts titles off in the display. About 50 to 60 characters is a proven rule of thumb.
Does every page need a different title?
Yes. Duplicate titles make it hard for Google and readers to tell pages apart.
Does the description help with ranking?
Hardly directly, but it influences whether someone clicks. And clicks are what counts in the end.
Should the place be in the title?
If you work locally, yes. Customers often search for a service and a place.
Sources
- Google Search Central: Titellinks in der Google Suche, accessed 23 October 2026
- Google Search Central: Snippets und Meta-Beschreibungen, accessed 23 October 2026
- Google Search Console Hilfe: Leistungsbericht, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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