Scared About Changing Homepage Title Tags

by howto
10 replies
  • SEO
  • |
Hi warriors, I have changed my title tags but now I am bricking my pants fearing I have done something useless and dumb which won't help my rankings. So here is an example of what my title tag was (not using my niche):

Awesome Dogs - Brandname

I am number 1 for 'awesome dogs' but also rank first page position 4 for 'cool dogs'. Google doesn't identify 'cool' or 'awesome' as synonyms of each other. (it may do but for the purpose of this example lets say it doesn't). It does however identify canine and dog as synonyms. I also rank page 2 for 'cool canines'. I changed my title tags to this:

Awesome Dogs - Cool Canines | Brandname

This was in the hopes to raising my position for 'cool dogs' and 'cool canines'. Do you think this will be the case? Or will I just destroy homepages rankings for everything?

I last changed my title tags a year ago, I can't remember what it was to but I remember it had bad effects so now I am worried. I hope someone can help put my mind at ease because I am pretty worried since this is the site that makes me my monthly income. Should I change the title tag back to what it was, before it's too late? Or is it a good change?
#changing #homepage #scared #tags #title
  • Profile picture of the author howto
    Well would have been nice if someone replied but since no one seemed to give a 'monkey's nipple' perhaps I can add something to the thread that others may find of use.

    So far Google has updated my title tag on the search page 'cool dogs' moving me up 4 places instantly. The other keywords search pages haven't been updated yet however I will post back with results of these also.

    So far structuring my title tag in this way seems to have been beneficial.

    UPDATE: Moved up 4 places for 'cool canines' also.

    UPDATE 2: Interestingly Google seems to be changing to the new tag in the new position and then back again to the old tag in the old position. Like it is testing it before applying a permanent change.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronrule
    Less than two hours go by on a Sunday and you're already swearing because no one answered your question?

    Might want to get the attitude in check and delete that second post...
    Signature

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    Ron Rule
    http://ronrule.com

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    • Profile picture of the author howto
      Sorry I didn't realise people here were so sensitive I have edited it for you since it was so upsetting. I unfortunately naturally have a potty mouth and it was said light heartedly. I'm really not angry about not getting a response, hence why I am posting my results to maybe help other people
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  • Profile picture of the author online only
    Answer is simple. If you are scared to see some changing in the SERPS (up or down, can happen both ways), then simply don't do it. Just make sure they are readable to humans not to Google robots. Title and meta description can change the CTR as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    You could have probably left the old title tags & created a new web page targeting the new keyword, then place a link on your already ranked page with a single mention of the new keyword in plain text & an anchor-text linking to the new page (new keyword).
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      You could have probably left the old title tags & created a new web page targeting the new keyword, then place a link on your already ranked page with a single mention of the new keyword in plain text & an anchor-text linking to the new page (new keyword).
      I guess it's such a secret. Leaving some things in place, creating new
      content.

      Changing the title tag could have a huge effect.

      Cool has too many different meanings.

      Ranking #1 however, for your brand name, isn't really because of SEO
      in the real sense. Ebay.com does not rank for the keyword ebay because
      they optimized the site for the keyword ebay.

      Unless people know your brand via advertising/other, they will not be searching
      for it.

      Paul
      Signature

      If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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      • Profile picture of the author howto
        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        I guess it's such a secret. Leaving some things in place, creating new
        content.

        Changing the title tag could have a huge effect.

        Cool has too many different meanings.

        Ranking #1 however, for your brand name, isn't really because of SEO
        in the real sense. Ebay.com does not rank for the keyword ebay because
        they optimized the site for the keyword ebay.

        Unless people know your brand via advertising/other, they will not be searching
        for it.

        Paul
        Maybe you have misread me. I am number 1 for 'Awesome Dogs' which isn't my brand name. I agree ranking for brand names are easy since thats what the majority of people will use naturally as anchor text (obviously I am number 1 for my brand too). I keep my brand in the title tag though as over half my search engine traffic comes from people searching my brand on google. I know I would still be number 1 without it there, but it looks more professional to have it in the title IMO. I try to keep my fans happy and get them to remember my site as that's what I care most about.

        Perhaps I was wrong to use the word 'cool' as you're right about it having many different meanings. The word 'amazing' could also fit the secondary example keyword I provided. I meant it in the sense of having the same sort of meaning as awesome, however I am sure you get the gist of the point I was trying to make with it.
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    • Profile picture of the author howto
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      You could have probably left the old title tags & created a new web page targeting the new keyword, then place a link on your already ranked page with a single mention of the new keyword in plain text & an anchor-text linking to the new page (new keyword).
      I have thought about this but I was under the impression that doing so would involve me starting link building all over again for the new fresh page. The Homepage is already on page 1 for the second targeted keyword so I didn't want to start link building all over again for a separate page. Also with the type of site I have it's more beneficial in terms of bounce rate etc for people to land on my homepage. I would build landing pages for most other sites though.

      I like to target lots of keywords for my homepage anyway as it makes diversifying my anchor text a breeze. Seems title tags are not as powerful as I originally thought though. It probably would have been more worthwhile building some extra links than changing my tags. My rankings have settled back to exactly where they were before my title tag update. Maybe it will rise or fall in rankings in the coming weeks which is what I'm hoping will be the case.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by howto View Post

        I have thought about this but I was under the impression that doing so would involve me starting link building all over again for the new fresh page. The Homepage is already on page 1 for the second targeted keyword so I didn't want to start link building all over again for a separate page. Also with the type of site I have it's more beneficial in terms of bounce rate etc for people to land on my homepage. I would build landing pages for most other sites though.

        I like to target lots of keywords for my homepage anyway as it makes diversifying my anchor text a breeze. Seems title tags are not as powerful as I originally thought though. It probably would have been more worthwhile building some extra links than changing my tags. My rankings have settled back to exactly where they were before my title tag update. Maybe it will rise or fall in rankings in the coming weeks which is what I'm hoping will be the case.
        No, that's not always the case (building new external links).

        If the already ranked page has enough authority to get on page #1 for the first keyword, it's possible to get ranked for the 2nd very relevant keyword. Obviously everything depends on competition, each keyword could have completely different competition. Chances are the already ranked page would rank for both keywords just by mentioning the new keyword/link on the already ranked page.

        You could also re-purpose an older internal page that doesn't get much SERP traffic, but has already been indexed/cached, simply add the new keyword, then link/plain-text from the already ranked page, keep an eye on the new page title of the re-purposed page in the SERPs. You'll know when Google has re-indexed the re-purposed page when the SERP title changes to the new keyword.

        Basically piggyback off the already ranked page authority for very relevant keywords.
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  • Profile picture of the author trade4861
    Did you use a good collection synonyms within your content page which support your main keywords of awesome or cool? This may help greatly. Guessing you did though.
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