Longer SEO meta titles (often exceeding the traditional 50–60 character recommendation) are a strategic choice to improve click-through rates (CTR) by providing more context, though they come with the risk of truncation by search engines.
Here is what you need to know about longer meta titles in 2026:
Pixel Limits vs. Character Counts: Google does not have a strict character limit, but rather a pixel width limit for search results (usually around 600 pixels). Longer titles can fit if they use narrower characters, but generally, titles over 60–70 characters will be truncated (cut off) with a “…”. Benefits of Longer Titles:
More Context: You can include additional keywords, value propositions, or branding to make the snippet more compelling.
Higher CTR Potential: A longer, more descriptive title may better match a user’s specific query, driving more clicks despite being cut off. Risks of Longer Titles:
Truncation: Important information at the end of the title may not be seen.
Google Rewriting: If a title is deemed too long or irrelevant, Google may rewrite it entirely to fit the SERP layout. Best Practices for Longer Titles:
Front-load Keywords: Place the most critical keywords and the main value proposition within the first 50–60 characters to ensure they are visible even if the end is cut off.
Focus on Relevance: Only make a title longer if it adds value to the user, not just for “keyword stuffing”.
Use Pixel Checkers: Use tools like SEO Mofo to check how your title looks, rather than just relying on character count.
This video explains the ideal length for SEO titles and meta descriptions: If you’d like, I can: Review a specific meta title to see if it’s too long. Suggest a longer, more compelling version of a title. Compare a short vs. long title for a specific keyword.