Title tags and SEO: Everything you need to know in 2025

Title tags play a key role in attracting clicks from search results.

In 2025, standing out means going beyond keywords – it’s about crafting concise, compelling titles that draw attention and match what users are looking for. This article shows you how.

Title tags and their key characteristics

Title tags are the clickable headlines displayed on search engine results pages (SERPs). 

They summarize a webpage’s content and play a crucial role in helping users and search engines understand what the page is about.

They remain largely consistent year over year, as they still need to adhere to pixel count limits (55 characters or fewer with spaces is recommended for character-based limits). 

They shouldn’t be clickbait and must clearly convey what the user will learn or how they’ll benefit from clicking. 

They should also include the keyword phrase or entity you aim to rank for.

Trends and challenges in 2025

The nuances come into play when tailoring title tags for the new year. 

In 2024, we saw:

• Media companies exploiting “best” queries for shopping and affiliate listicles.
• Niche sites reverting to question-based titles and clickbait.
• Retailers prioritizing SEO modifiers over relevance to their offerings (in the niches we operate in).

To compete and stand out in 2025, we must adapt our title tags to differentiate from these trends. 

Standing out helps maintain rankings and also increase click-through rates. 

Below are common SEO tactics for title tags that apply to multiple niches I work with.

Optimizing title tags for length

In many queries we compete for, ecommerce, service providers, and content producers are using the full character limit for title tags. 

This year, we’re focusing on reducing title length to stand out and capture attention.

When most titles in the SERPs are between 45 and 55 characters, a shorter title that includes keywords and possibly a number can draw attention to your listing.

Examples:

• Shop Red Tshirts That Work for Women, Men, and Children
• The Best Red Tshirts for Children to Adults in All Styles on Sale
• Red Tshirts for Sports, Fitness, & Casual for Your Entire Family
• Red Tshirts for the Family – XS – XXL
• Cotton, Polyester, and Blended Red Tshirts for the Family
• $25 & Under – Red Tshirts for the Family

In these examples, one title includes a number and dollar amount, appealing to cost-conscious buyers, while another highlights sizes. 

Both provide clear information and stand out when other results fill the available character limit.

Dig deeper: SEO for page titles and meta descriptions: How to win more clicks

Using numbers and symbols effectively

A few years ago, SERPs were dominated by title tags starting with numbers, but their prevalence has declined. 

This creates an opportunity to strategically reintroduce numbers with modifiers, without reverting to listicles.

Examples of modifiers include:

• Percent off.
• Dollar amounts.
• Sizes or lengths.

Search your target query to see how many title tags include numbers. If most don’t, or they all use the same format, consider introducing a variation. 

For example: 

• “50% off” could become “half off” or vice versa.
• “Buy 1 Get 1” might replace “BOGO.”

Incorporating numbers can effectively capture attention as long as the title tag accurately reflects the page content and doesn’t mislead users.

Shifting from questions to statements

In 2023 and 2024, there was a resurgence of questions used as H1 and H2 tags, with many sites using the same phrasing for title tags and headings. 

If these sites are penalized or the search results you compete in rely heavily on questions, switching to statements can give you an edge.

This trend likely stems from platforms like Reddit, Quora, and forums, where community-driven questions surfaced and inspired brands, publishers, and lead gen sites to follow suit. 

It’s reminiscent of the rise of “People Also Ask” results in search engines.

To compete, focus on crafting titles that highlight what users will learn.

For example, instead of “Which Blue Tshirt is Best for Baseball?” use “How to Style Your Blue Baseball Tshirt and Get Fitted.”

This approach emphasizes the practical value of the content, such as styling tips and sizing guidance, rather than posing a vague question.

If competitors are relying on “how-to” guides and questions, statements can help you stand out. For instance:

• “Blue Baseball Tshirt on Sale + Our True Fit Guide for Sizing.”

This example conveys product availability and practical advice in one concise statement. 

Publishers, affiliate sites, and others can adopt similar strategies to differentiate themselves.

Leveraging AI Overviews

A key focus for title tags in 2025 is optimizing for AI Overviews and tools like ChatGPT, especially if they begin displaying title tags and sources more prominently without user prompts.

AI Overviews already show title tags and sources, which is promising, but most strategies for ranking remain standard. 

The real opportunity lies in standing out among the cited resources once your site is included.

To make your title tags stand out, monitor which tags are appearing and how long they remain visible. 

For static title tags in AI Overviews, consider what you can do for the entity or main query that would cause a user to click on your website instead of the other cited resources.

For example, if the AI Overview is about baking sourdough, consider what most users want to learn.

If half of the searches focus on baking and recipes while the other half emphasize scoring and artisanal techniques, combine these aspects into your title tag. 

By addressing the full spectrum of search intent, you position your site as the most relevant and appealing option.

Writing title tags that stand out

Optimizing title tags for 2025 means analyzing what worked for others in 2024 and using that insight to differentiate your approach. 

The tips outlined here have proven effective across multiple clients and can be adapted to fit your niche. 

As search trends evolve, staying alert to new features and search result types will ensure you remain competitive and continue capturing clicks.

Dig deeper: How to write title tags for SEO with ChatGPT