Grammar? Wait — come back! I didn’t mean to scare you off like that. This isn’t your stern English teacher talking. Grammar just happens to have a few neat analogies for explaining how to craft an effective title.
A sentence is a complete thought. A title should be complete and able to stand on its own — just like a sentence.
In The Elements of Grammar, Margaret Shertzer describes the parts of a sentence.
“The subject of a sentence is the person, object, or idea being described. The predicate is the explanation of the action, condition, or effect of the subject.”
It’s not too much of a stretch to describe an SEO title using the same terminology. The subject of the title is the keyword phrase, the predicate explains and completes the thought. The keyword phrase as the subject of the title should come first. The title’s predicate assures a complete title that can stand on its own.
- Subject + Predicate = Sentence
- Topic (SEO keyword phrase) + Energetic verb = SEO effective and engaging title
A well-chosen title is complete because it identifies the topic clearly. The SEO-friendly subject focuses your title and your verb choice adds energy. This is how you appeal to both audiences, SEO bots and your audience of readers.
Compare this before and after title fix:
- Poorly formed title: What NOT To Buy At A Dollar Store
- Well-structured title: Bargain Shopping: Dollar Store Deals To Avoid
- While the meaning of the first title is clear to a person reading the title, too much is implied and the first six words are not SEO keywords. The only keyword in the entire title is Dollar Store
- The topic is really about bargain shopping and what not to buy at the dollar store.
- The second title immediately has Bargain shopping as a keyword to be scooped up by the web spiders. Dollar store (and perhaps deals) will also be scooped up as SEO keywords.
Want more? Here’s a link to a great SEO article! –SEO Tips That Make Sense
Thanks for spreading the word on this, (Title) Dean McD!