Page <title> length - what's too long?

How long can a <title> tag be before it either hurts you, or the excess just gets ignored? Google SERP's only show the first ~ 65 characters, so does that mean they only "count" that portion of the title in the index and/or results ranking?

thanks
LC

 

I'm not so sure it matters anymore. I see lots of sites where the keywords are buried 2-3 words deep and they still rank well for a given term. Problem is, everything is a function of link popularity, so more links still wins if you don't have the best page title.

 

My longest page title is 11 words (and I think I once read somewhere to keep titles <= 12 words). I'm indexed/ranked well, but always looking to learn more and improve.

Johann's point about link popularity/PR is well taken.

thanks
LC

 

I would say 60-80 characters works perfect.

 

Anything that is excesives to describing the page is too much. Titles are for accessibility. Don't make your page inaccessible.

 

You gotta think of the users as well. If I look at the first page SERPS, I definitely won't click on a webpage with a spammy title.

Gotta strike a balance with attractiveness as well.

 

Just think on what "title" means... and use it for that. A title is not a description of your site. A few words should be more than enough.

 

taken from meta tag myths e-book...

Despite this articles title recommendations Ive written titles allot longer and they have been unmoved from #1 in google for nearly 2 years now, it can be over 66 characters and still rank well but the whole title won't be displayed in the SE listing.

 

Don't forget a title should also make a user want to click your page...

having titles stuffed with keywords may do more harm than good. My tags are very simple:

Keyword at my site.com or something.

 

My experience shows that a short keywork rich title is best. If you have 10 words, each word get's 1/10 value for title, if there are 2 words, 1/2 value for title...an so on

 

I like to keep titles short. I often tend to use the site name and a few words describing its content/service.

 

Yeah, the more words you have there, the less weight is on each word.

 

<Title> is the key for any website. As much as attractive it is, more clicks you get. It should be not so spamy. Write title using 60- 70 characters. Don't write main targeted keyword directly. Use phrases and repeat main word atleast 2 time in that to make proper density.

This is my opinion.

Thanks

 

80 Characters should be the maximum. This includes spaces. And don't try and stuff it with keywords either. Make sure your audience can understand it.

 

I have found that 5-7 word title work best with the target keyword in the beginning or near the beginning

 

While of the subject... can I ask ... how important is it to list your meta tags in a perticular order...

I know that the <title> should be first and then the <description> but what would be the ideal order to set ones meta tags... or does it matter all that much after the first two... thanks