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  4. Should I include a "|" for better page title SEO results?

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Should I include a "|" for better page title SEO results?

On-Page Optimization
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  • JedHenning
    JedHenning last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 12:29 PM

    I have seen many sites that include the "|" in page titles and was wondering if there is some SEO value in the practice.

    Example:

    Product Name | Company Name

    Instead of:

    Product Name by Company Name

    I have not seen any value in it myself other than a good way to avoid stop words.  I wanted to make sure.  Currently I have the "by" included in the page titles.

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • Entrusteddev
      Entrusteddev last edited by Apr 27, 2011, 7:08 AM Apr 27, 2011, 7:08 AM

      I always prefer the pipe for the following reasons, though I don't think it has any specific SEO value.

      a) its reader friendly

      b) its a natural separator

      c) as Seth says below, it looks cool!

      d) Whats good for SEOmoz is good for me!

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • IPINGlobal54
        IPINGlobal54 last edited by Apr 27, 2011, 5:46 AM Apr 27, 2011, 5:46 AM

        SEO advantage I would suggest is negligible, if any in this case - more a case of aesthetics as has been suggested, as well as character count saving.

        Section pages I would go with "Section | Company Name"

        Product pages I would go with "Product - Section | Company Name"

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • TECHeGO
          TECHeGO last edited by Apr 27, 2011, 2:50 AM Apr 27, 2011, 2:50 AM

          When it comes to a web page Title Tag Google's Supper Smart Spiders pay no attention to the markup or punctuation used. So it truly comes down to the personal preference of the site owner. As for me and my OCD I prefer the Pipes cause they just look cooler! 🙂

          To prove this point query the following:

          allintitle:"-"

          allintitle:"|"

          allintitle:"/"

          allintitle:""

          allintitle:","

          All come back with BUPKIS

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • BlinkWeb
            BlinkWeb last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 8:21 PM Apr 26, 2011, 8:21 PM

            | has my vote! More for readability than anything.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • BlinkWeb
              BlinkWeb last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 8:21 PM Apr 26, 2011, 8:21 PM

              | has my vote! More for readability than anything.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • MarkLoud
                MarkLoud last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 6:50 PM Apr 26, 2011, 6:50 PM

                The pipe and hyphen as already suggested are the way to go for pure usability and space saving for your title tag. In my opinion neither has a direct SEO advantage over the other however they both have a distinct advantage over other techniques. For me keeping the keywords used in the page title to the point help without any extra "by, or, and" breaks the keyword blocks both visually and semantically for the search engines. Now don't get me wrong I don't think this makes or breaks a good SEO effort on a page but for me it's certainly a preference.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • BenRWoodard
                  BenRWoodard @AlanBleiweiss last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 5:50 PM Apr 26, 2011, 5:50 PM

                  Sounds like it is just an issue of conserving valuable character real estate while being aesthetically pleasing to the reader.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Srvwiz
                    Srvwiz last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 3:33 PM Apr 26, 2011, 3:33 PM

                    I think people prefer pipe symbol over hyphen..as it takes relatively less space...that's the only benefit I have seen..

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • zharriet
                      zharriet last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 1:36 PM Apr 26, 2011, 1:36 PM

                      I use the pipe because SEOmoz uses it. Visually it indicates something different is following. I think it more professional looking than the mere dash.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • groomingguys
                        groomingguys last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 12:43 PM Apr 26, 2011, 12:43 PM

                        I am not sure the is any technical benefit however more used as Alan and EGOL suggest to separate keywords / phrases and increase CTR

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • EGOL
                          EGOL last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 12:43 PM Apr 26, 2011, 12:37 PM

                          I don't think that a pipe or dash or any other character adds or subtracts any SEO value.  Certainly what you type after it is more important.

                          If your brand is widely known and respected then adding it might help increase your clickthroughs or conversions.

                          If you don't have a popular brand then "free shipping"... "learn the secrets!"....  or a kickass price in the title tag will pull the visitors in.

                          ... and if you have something that everyone wants such as "free beer" then you might want to included it in CAPS.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                          • AlanBleiweiss
                            AlanBleiweiss last edited by Apr 26, 2011, 12:32 PM Apr 26, 2011, 12:32 PM

                            There's some disagreement in the industry as to whether the pipe symbol or hyphens are best - either way, one of these two would be recommended for readability purposes.  This is especially valid when you've got more than one keyword phrase.

                            Product Name | Alternate Product Name | Company Name

                            BenRWoodard 1 Reply Last reply Apr 26, 2011, 5:50 PM Reply Quote 4
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