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Page Title

The page title, defined by the <title> element in the document's <head>, is one of the most critical accessibility features of a web page. It provides the first piece of information announced to screen reader users and appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, and search results.

Stanford University page title from the homepage

Best Practices

Be Descriptive and Concise

Page titles should clearly describe the page's content or purpose within the first 50-60 characters. This ensures the unique content is visible in browser tabs and search results without being truncated.

Put Unique Information First

Place the most specific information at the beginning of the title, followed by less specific details like site or organization name. This pattern helps users quickly identify the page, especially when multiple tabs are open.

<title>English Department - Stanford University</title>
<title>Contact Us - Stanford University</title>

Make Each Page Title Unique

Every page should have a distinct title that differentiates it from other pages on your site. Duplicate titles make navigation difficult for all users, particularly those using assistive technology.

Avoid Generic Titles

Titles like "Home Page," "Untitled," or just the company name provide little context. Instead, describe what the page contains or what task users can accomplish.

Common Patterns

Homepage

<title>Stanford University - The spirit of possibility</title>

Content Pages

<title>Degree Programs - Biology - Stanford University</title>

Forms and Applications

<title>Step 2 of 3: Grade Information - Apply - Stanford University</title>

Search Pages

<title>"scholarships" - Search - Stanford University</title>

Testing

Verify your page titles by:

  • Reviewing browser tabs with multiple pages open
  • Checking browser history and bookmarks
  • Using a screen reader to hear how titles are announced
  • Validating that titles update appropriately on dynamic pages
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