The title is one of the essential attributes for ranking and increasing your CTR for both Shopping Ads, Buy on Google, Free Listings, and Display Ads.
Why Optimize The Title?
Optimizing your title increases your data feed quality, which results in better performance. This means you get more eligible impressions due to the higher ranking, and you get better click-through rates due to better visual text and search query matches.
You can expect as much as 200% improvement by correctly building your titles.
Improved titles are beneficial for both Google’s algorithm and consumers reading the title.
The latest client since writing this article, where I improved the titles, had an immediate impact in getting more impressions and more clicks.
Can Shopping Ad Titles Be Different VS Landing Page Titles?
Absolutely yes, as long as you describe the products accurately, you can have different titles on your website vs your data feed.
You can also change up the titles vs your website SEO structured data title, and you can add extra keywords.
Basics
Length:
The recommended length for a title is between 60 and 80 characters long, with up to a maximum of 150 characters. The recommendation is based on your ads’ average maximum visible length, based on current ad formats. This is 70 characters long.
Capitalization:
Do not full cap words unless it is a commonly known abbreviation or word. You can, however, capitalize the first letter of each word.
- Bad Example: ADIDAS SPORT SHOES SIZE 9
- Good Example: Adidas Sport Shoes Size 9
Section Separation:
Separate your titles using hyphens or pipelines. This helps users to read your titles easily.
- For example:
- Thule – Fastride Bike Carrier 564001 – Black
- Thule | Fastride Bike Carrier 564001, Black
Promotional:
Do not include any promotional text such as shipping, prices, discounts, dates etc.
Language:
Match the language used for the target country. For example, if your target country is the United Kingdom, then make sure your grammar is UK English and not US English. Or, if your target country is the United States, do not submit the French language.
- Exception: When a foreign word is commonly used in the target country
Spam:
Avoid titles that include repetitive keywords or keywords that all sound the same but written slightly differently. The more spammy your title sounds, the more likely you will get the product disapproved.
Character Type:
Do not use special repetitive characters, emojis, or combinations of characters, symbols that create a smiley.
Variants:
When you submit variants, make sure not to submit the same title for each variant. Instead, each title needs to be unique. You can do this by including what variates between each product. For example, it differs in size and color, then submit the size and color alongside the base title.
- Bad Example: Adidas Sport Shoes
- Good Example:
- Adidas Sport Shoes – Blue Size 9
- Adidas Sport Shoes – Blue Size 10
- Adidas Sport Shoes – Red Size 9
- Adidas Sport Shoes – Red Size 10
Numeric Values:
Use numeric values such as 1, 2, 3, 4 instead of using words such as one, two, three, four.
Generic vs Branded Titles
When selling white-label products, it is better to use generic titles.
- For example:
- Black 5 Panel Caps
If you are selling well-known brands, make sure the brand, product name, and model number are included.
- For example:
- Samsung Galaxy S11
Title Cutoff
Keep in mind how titles look in different ad formats and different devices. What is more visible on the shopping tab, is less visible on web search carousel. Or what is more visible on a desktop compared to less visible titles on a smartphone.
Titles can be as short as 25 characters or as long as 150 characters.
Keyword Research
Analyze your customer search queries and find a pattern of how your customers are searching if you have identified how customers are searching, then include these search terms at the beginning of your title.
It is extremely easy to get underperforming titles from missing keywords to incorrect title structured (explained below). Creating titles based on how consumers search is the best method.
You can use Google Analytics or Google Search Console.
Don’t have your own data? You can also use SpyFu or SemRush.
You can also use suggested search terms on Google, Yahoo, Bing or DuckDuckGo. You might find different suggestions based on each search engine.
And if you are already paying for advertising in Google Ads, you can use Google’s Keyword Planner.
You might find that they search for Brand + Product ID. Then, in this case, including the brand, followed by product id, followed by product title.
Or are they searching by product type/category followed by size or color? Then, follow this pattern in your titles.
Consumer Research
A while ago, Arpen shared a screenshot of a Google video discussing preparing for the holiday seasons and the importance of consumer interest in features, or in other words, attributes. The video demonstrates consumer interests in cabinets and storage, tables and chairs, cookware, tools and carry-ons, and kitchen appliances.
For example, important attributes of cookware are brand, shape, material, and size. So, when you want to build up your product titles, it is essential to include these points. Most merchants will already know what is necessary for their consumers, but I have compiled a list below of top niches and their essential attributes.
Here is a list of the most common products and it’s attributes on Googe Shopping.
| Cookware | Tools & Carriers (e.g., Toolboxes, Storage Solutions) | Kitchen Appliances |
| Brand | Material | Brand |
| Shape | Theme (e.g., DIY, Professional Use) | Product Line |
| Material | Occasion (Home Use, Professional Jobs) | Cooking Method (e.g., Air Frying, Grilling, Boiling) |
| Size | Brand | Capacity |
| Heat Source Compatibility | Weight Capacity | Energy Efficiency |
| Coating Type (Non-stick, Stainless, etc.) | Portability | Ease of Use |
| Durability | Compartments/Storage Options | Warranty |
| Ease of Cleaning | Durability | Dimensions |
| Fashion & Apparel | Beauty & Cosmetics | Electronics & Gadgets |
| Style | Brand | Brand |
| Size | Skin Type Compatibility | Features |
| Material | Ingredients | Battery Life |
| Brand | Scent | Compatibility |
| Fit (Regular, Slim, etc.) | Product Type (Lotion, Serum, etc.) | Size/Weight |
| Occasion (Casual, Formal, Sport, etc.) | Certifications (Cruelty-Free, Vegan, etc.) | Warranty |
| Color | Size/Volume | Price |
| Pattern/Design | ||
| Furniture | Health & Wellness | Sports & Outdoors Equipment |
| Material | Brand | Brand |
| Style | Effectiveness | Material |
| Size/Dimensions | Ingredients | Size |
| Weight Capacity | Form (Pill, Powder, Liquid) | Weight |
| Brand | Certifications (Organic, Gluten-Free, etc.) | Durability |
| Assembly Required | Price | Intended Use (Outdoor, Indoor, etc.) |
| Color/Finish | Size/Quantity | Ease of Setup |
| Durability | Warranty | |
| Home Decor | Pet Products | Jewelry & Accessories |
| Theme | Material | Material (Gold, Silver, etc.) |
| Material | Brand | Brand |
| Size | Pet Size Compatibility | Gem Type |
| Color | Type of Product (Food, Accessories, Toys) | Style (Casual, Formal, etc.) |
| Brand | Durability | Size (Ring Size, Chain Length) |
| Style (Modern, Rustic, etc.) | Nutritional Value (for Food) | Occasion |
| Occasion (Holiday, Seasonal, etc.) | Safety Standards | Weight |
| Customization Options | Packaging | |
| Toys & Games | Books & Media | Automotive Parts & Accessories |
| Age Group | Genre | Brand |
| Material | Author | Compatibility (Make/Model/Year) |
| Brand | Format (Hardcover, eBook, etc.) | Material |
| Theme | Language | Installation Requirements |
| Safety Certifications | Publisher | Warranty |
| Size | Edition | Dimensions |
| Educational Value | Number of Pages | Durability |
| Age Group | ||
| Home Office Supplies | Smart Home Devices | Outdoor & Gardening |
| Brand | Brand | Brand |
| Material | Compatibility (e.g., works with Alexa, Google Home) | Material |
| Size/Dimensions | Features (Voice Control, Automation, etc.) | Weather Resistance |
| Functionality (Adjustability, Ergonomics, etc.) | Energy Efficiency | Size/Dimensions |
| Durability | Warranty | Durability |
| Storage Capacity (for desks, organizers, etc.) | Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) | Weight Capacity (for furniture, planters, etc.) |
| Compatibility (for tech accessories like monitors) | Security Features (for cameras, alarms, etc.) | Functionality (Ease of Setup, Storage, etc.) |
| Portability (for devices and accessories) | Ease of Setup | Safety Features (for tools and equipment) |
| Warranty |
Title Structure Recommendations
Some commonly known structures can be used to get you started depending on the type of products you sell.
Electronics
Brand + Attributes + Product Type + Model Number
Consumables
Brand + Product Type + Attributes (weight, count, volume)
Books
Title + Type + Format + Author
Seasonal
Occasion + Product Type + Attributes (size, color, age group, pattern, material, size system)
Homeware
Brand + Product + Attributes (size, color, material, pattern)
Apparel
Brand + Designer + Gender + Product Type + Attributes (size, color, age group, gender, pattern, material, size system)
Tools & Materials
Product Type + Size + Attributes (size, color, material, pattern) + Public MPN or SKU
Accessories
Brand + Material + Feature + Product Type + Public MPN or SKU
Public MPN or SKU’s are identifiers used by the manufacturer that are visually available on the website. For example, Thule, a car accessory business, would list the model number on their page technical specifications. In this case, you should add the MPN in your title.
Store Name
While many manufacturers sell their products, there are many more retailers on Google Shopping. I have a client in the UK that sells curated products. This company is very famous in the homeware sector, and after some analysis, we found that many consumers have a high trust factor in this company. And tend to search for products with the store name.
By adding your store name at the end of the title, you may find a common search pattern to use in your titles.
- For example:
- Hasami Porcelain Black Bowl From xyz.com
Title Grammar Variations
It is good to have slightly different grammatical variations for products in the same category, using singular and plural, or non at all.
- For Example:
- UGG Premium Scuff Slippers
- UGG Scuff Slipper
- UGG Roozee Premium Scuff Slipper
- UGG Classic Women’s Scuff
- UGG Premium Ankle Slippers
Targeting Multiple Countries
When targeting multiple countries, make sure you submit a unique data feed for each country. For example, if you sell apparel, you can not use the UK sizing in Europe compared to the United States. The importance of the title is to match the language, grammar, and sizing system for that specific country.
How To Create Your Titles
Data Feed Management:
The easiest way to create custom titles is using datafeedwatch. This tool allows you to use simple rules, reg ex, different source, spreadsheet lookups, and more. It’s by far pretty advanced, and I use this for all my clients.
Feed Rules:
You could use Google Merchant Center Feed Rules. However, the requirement is to submit all your data, be it brand, product title, or custom attributes. This means you do need a data feed solution that can submit your required attributes.
Once you have all the data, it’s as simple as setting up the rules. You can merge, split, append, prepend, combine, and much more.
Supplement Feeds:
By far, adding a supplement feed is the easiest method. Use a spreadsheet, add your product IDs as a column and add your titles. Once you submit the spreadsheet, you will overwrite the default data.
Additional Benefit
The additional benefit for optimizing your titles is avoiding search query mismatch. This happens when poorly optimized titles get a lot of irrelevant search terms. If you are spending time excluding search terms into the negative keyword list then this is a big signal that your titles need improving.
By improving your titles, you should have a small negative keyword list.
Having many irrelevant search terms can also be caused by categories, product type, descriptions, variant attributes, or missing product identifiers.
Need Help?
Do you have a question or need specialist support? Get in touch!
What about using words like buy or buy now at the start of the title?
People actively searching and seeing shopping ads would already know they can buy it, so adding the words buy now would only do a little to convince a consumer to buy, or nothing at all. It’s a waste of real estate keywords in your title. Consumers would also not search with words including buy. I believe this would fall under the editorial guideline rules as not allowed.