"Hello all, I have observed that when I search for mysite.com on Google using the site: command, the title displayed is not from my homepage's meta title, but rather the overall site title. I have confirmed that the meta title on my homepage appears correct in the source code. Could anyone provide insight into why this is occurring or offer suggestions for resolving the issue?"
There could be several reasons why your homepage’s meta title isn’t showing up in Google search results using the site: command.
- Google’s Cache: Google often caches website information. If the cached version of your homepage is outdated, it might be displaying the old title. You can try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser to see if that resolves the issue.
- Crawling Errors: If Google is unable to properly crawl and index your homepage, it may be using the overall site title instead of the specific homepage meta title. Check your website’s robots.txt file to ensure it’s not blocking Google from accessing your homepage.
- Conflicting Tags: Sometimes there might be multiple title tags on your homepage, potentially leading to confusion for Google. Make sure there’s only one tag present and that it’s correctly placed within the section of your homepage’s HTML code.
- Title Tag Length: Google generally truncates titles that exceed 60 characters. If your homepage meta title is very long, it could be getting cut off in the search results. Try shortening the title for better visibility.
- Google Algorithm: Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving. There might be an update or change that is affecting how your homepage title is being displayed. While you can’t control Google’s algorithms, you can make sure your website is optimized for search engines in general.
To troubleshoot this further, consider:
- Submitting a Sitemap: If you haven’t already, submitting a sitemap to Google Search Console can help ensure Google can properly index your website’s content.
- Testing with Other Search Engines: See if the same issue occurs when searching for your site on other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo. This can help determine if it’s a Google-specific problem.
If the issue persists, you might need to contact Google directly for further support or consult with a website optimization expert.