SEO META

Sometimes my clients ask me about so called Pipes in their SEO Titles. Here is a little clarification of this problem:

Whether or not the vertical bar (|) is recommended in SEO meta titles is a topic with some nuance. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros:

• Improved Readability: Pipes can break up long titles and make them easier to scan for users, especially on mobile devices with limited screen space. This can lead to higher click-through rates (CTRs) in search results.

• Keyword Targeting: Pipes allow you to naturally incorporate multiple relevant keywords into your title without sacrificing readability. This can be beneficial for targeting broader search queries and reaching a wider audience.

• Visual Separation: Pipes create a clear visual distinction between different elements of your title, making it more concise and impactful. This can help your title stand out from the competition in search results.

• Brand Differentiation: If used consistently, pipes can become a signature element of your brand's SEO strategy, helping your titles to be easily recognized and remembered.

Cons:

• Character Limit: Meta titles have a character limit of around 60 characters. Using pipes takes up valuable space, so you may need to shorten other elements of your title to fit everything in.

• Overstuffing: If you're not careful, you can end up stuffing your title with too many keywords using pipes. This can be penalized by search engines and appear spammy to users.

• Cultural Relevance: Depending on the target audience, pipes might not be universally understood. In some cultures, they may be interpreted differently or not be as visually appealing.

• Technical Issues: Some platforms and tools may not display pipes correctly or may count them as characters towards the limit. This can lead to unexpected formatting issues in search results.

Final Thoughts:

The decision of whether or not to use pipes in your meta titles depends on your specific goals, target audience, and content.

Here are some general recommendations:

• Use pipes sparingly: One or two pipes per title is usually sufficient.

• Focus on readability: Don't sacrifice clarity for keyword targeting.

• Target broader queries: Use pipes for longer tail keywords.

• Consider your audience: Use pipes if your audience understands them well.

• Test and optimize: Track your CTRs and experiment with different formats to see what works best for you.

Ultimately, the best meta title is one that is concise, informative, and relevant to your content. Whether or not you choose to use a pipe, make sure your title accurately reflects what users will find on your page.