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How to Change a Page's SEO Title and Meta Description in WordPress

Using Joomla instead? See How to Change a Page's SEO Title and Meta Description in Joomla.

An SEO title in WordPress is the clickable title that shows up in search results. It's not the same as the page title in the editor. WordPress doesn't include a field for it (or for a meta description), so most sites set both in an SEO plugin like Yoast, Rank Math, or All in One SEO. Here's what those fields mean, how to write them, and where to click in the common plugins.

Note: search engines don't always use your title and description exactly as written, but setting good ones gives you the best chance.

What is an SEO title in WordPress?

An SEO title (sometimes called the title tag) is the title that appears in search results and in the browser tab. In WordPress it's separate from the post or page title you type at the top of the editor. Search engines may rewrite it, but setting a clear one gives you the best shot at a good snippet.

SEO title vs page title: the page title is what you edit at the top of the post. The SEO title is what you set in the plugin for search results.

Where to set it in Yoast, Rank Math, or All in One SEO

  • Yoast SEO: Open the page or post. Open the Yoast SEO sidebar (Yoast icon) or scroll to the Yoast SEO box under the content. Open Search appearance or the Google preview, then edit the SEO title and meta description. Save or update. For a static home page, you can also use Yoast SEO > Settings > Content types > Homepage, then the page's Search appearance fields.
  • Rank Math: Open the page or post. In the block editor, click the Rank Math icon (or open the three-dot menu, then choose Rank Math). On the General tab, click Edit Snippet, then fill in Title and Description. In the Classic Editor, use the Rank Math SEO box, then General, then Title and Description.
  • All in One SEO (AIOSEO): Open the page or post. Scroll to AIOSEO Settings. Enter the Title and Meta Description (smart tags are optional). These override the site-wide formats under All in One SEO > Search Appearance.

Note: Don't run two SEO plugins at once, because they can conflict and add duplicate titles or descriptions. If you use a different plugin, follow the generic steps under "Set the title and description" below.

Write a good title and description

  • Title: describe the page clearly, put the most important words first, and keep it to about 60 characters so it isn't cut off.
  • Meta description: a sentence or two (about 155 characters or fewer) that tells people what they'll find and why to click.
  • Make each page's title and description unique.
  • Write for people. Repeating keywords won't help.

If you'd rather have someone else tighten titles and meta descriptions across the site, see our marketing and SEO work.

Check whether you have an SEO plugin

Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and look for an active SEO plugin. If you're not sure, ask your web team. Don't install a second one if you already have one, since two SEO plugins can conflict.

Set the title and description

Every SEO plugin looks a little different, but the steps are similar:

  1. Open the page or post in the editor.
  2. Find your SEO plugin's panel. It's usually in the settings sidebar or in a box below the content.
  3. Fill in the SEO title and meta description fields.
  4. Click Save.

Many SEO plugins show a preview of how the page may look in search results.

Site-wide title settings

  • Settings > General > Site Title and Tagline: WordPress uses these in titles by default, and many themes show them in the header.
  • Your SEO plugin usually has site-wide title templates too, like "Page title | Business name." Changes there affect every page, so ask before you change them.

Home page

Depending on your settings and plugin, the home page title and description may be set on the page used as your home page (Settings > Reading) or in your SEO plugin's settings.

Related

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