should company name be in seo title?

So, you’re staring at your blog post draft, wondering: should company name be in SEO title, or is that just another thing SEO folks say to sound clever? Let’s cut through the jargon and get real about whether your business moniker deserves a spot in that precious title tag real estate.

The Great Title Tag Dilemma: Brand or Keywords?

If you’ve ever tried to squeeze both your main keyword and your company name into a 60-character title, you know it’s like trying to fit into your “pre-pandemic jeans” — possible, but not always comfortable. Google typically displays 55–70 characters (about 600 pixels) of a title tag in search results. Anything longer, and your carefully crafted title gets chopped off mid-thought, leaving users wondering if you’re a business or a cliffhanger novelist.

What Do the Experts Say?

SEO should company name be in title? Well, the answer is: it depends (classic, right?). According to industry wisdom and Google’s own guidelines, the best practice is to lead with your primary keyword and tuck your brand name at the end. This way, you maximize visibility for what people are actually searching for, while still giving your brand a nod for those who care.

“Not all businesses put their name in a title tag, but it helps users identify the domain they’re going to click through to, which is especially helpful in shared social posts or bookmarks.” — Search Engine Journal

Brand Power: When Your Name Opens Doors

If your brand is as recognizable as Nike or Apple, congratulations! Including your company name in the SEO title can boost click-through rates (CTR) by leveraging trust and recognition. For example:

**“Running Shoes for Men & Women

Nike”**

Here, “Nike” at the end reassures fans and flexes brand muscle. If you’re not quite a household name (yet), you might want to prioritize keywords instead — at least until your brand is the talk of the town.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Well-known brands: Including the company name can increase CTR, even if your page isn’t the top result.
Lesser-known brands: Focusing on keywords can attract more organic traffic by matching user intent — crucial for building visibility.

The Keyword-First Approach: For the Rest of Us

Let’s be honest: most of us aren’t Nike. For small and medium-sized businesses, digital agencies, and content-driven enterprises (like us at Blogging Machine), keyword-first titles are usually the way to go. Why? Because you want to show up when people search for what you offer, not just who you are.

Example:

“Best Italian Restaurant in Chicago

Bella Cucina”

Here, the keyword phrase comes first, and the brand name follows — if there’s room. If you’re tight on space, it’s okay to skip the brand and focus on the search intent.

Google’s Take: Rules, Guidelines, and a Dash of Mystery

Google doesn’t require your company name in the title tag. Their official stance is that titles should “accurately describe the page content and be unique for each page.” No keyword stuffing, no repetitive brand mentions — just clear, concise, and relevant titles.

For more on Google’s guidelines, check out their Search Central documentation.

Real-World Wisdom: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3

SEO isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. The best advice? Test different title formats (with and without your company name) and monitor your CTR and rankings. Data-driven decisions beat guesswork every time.

If you’re a multi-location or franchise business, including the brand name can help unify listings and reinforce trust. For everyone else, let your keywords do the heavy lifting.

Branding vs. Keyword Optimization: A Quick Comparison

Factor	Brand-First Approach	Keyword-First Approach
Brand Recognition	Boosts CTR for well-known brands	Less effective for new brands
Keyword Relevance	May dilute keyword focus	Maximizes keyword visibility
Character Limit	Uses valuable space	Prioritizes search intent
User Trust	Builds trust with familiar brands	Focuses on attracting new visitors

Subtle Brag: How We Do It at Blogging Machine

Here at Blogging Machine, our AI agent doesn’t just automate content creation — it obsesses over SEO details like title tags, keyword placement, and yes, whether your company name should be in the SEO title. We test, tweak, and optimize so you don’t have to. It’s like having a team of SEO nerds on autopilot (minus the coffee breaks).

Pro Tips for Crafting the Perfect SEO Title

Lead with your primary keyword: This is what users are searching for.
Add modifiers or secondary keywords: If you have space, these can boost relevance.
Include your brand name at the end: Only if you have room and it adds value.
Keep it under 60 characters: Avoid awkward truncation.
Test and analyze: Let data guide your decisions.

For more practical tips, check out Moz’s guide to title tags.

Recent Trends: What’s Hot in 2024 (and Beyond)

As of 2025, the trend is clear: concise, keyword-rich titles with the brand name included for established businesses or when building brand awareness is a priority. For everyone else, relevance and clarity win the day.

Want to see what’s working for your competitors? Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush offer insights into top-ranking title strategies.

FAQ: Should Company Name Be in SEO Title?

Q: Will including my company name in the title improve my rankings? A: Not directly. Rankings are driven by relevance and quality. However, a recognizable brand can improve CTR, which may indirectly help rankings over time.

Q: What if my brand isn’t well-known? A: Focus on keywords first. Build your brand through consistent, high-quality content (hint: that’s what we do best at Blogging Machine).

Q: How do I know if my title is too long? A: Keep it under 60 characters, or use tools like Yoast SEO to preview how your title will appear in search results.

Q: Should I always use the same format? A: Not necessarily. Test different formats and see what works best for your audience and niche.

Q: Can I put my brand name at the beginning? A: Only if your brand is a major draw. Otherwise, keywords first!

Final Thoughts

Should company name be in SEO title? If you’re a household name, go for it — just don’t hog the spotlight. For everyone else, let your keywords shine and your brand will follow. And if you’d rather not stress about title tags at all, let us at Blogging Machine handle it. We’ll make sure your titles (and your blog) work smarter, not harder.

For more on SEO best practices, check out:

And remember, when in doubt, test it out — or just let us do the heavy lifting.