Title stacking, similar to title “stuffing,” is a practice designed to help a web page rank higher in the search engine results, although it is deceptive. This black hat technique involves stacking multiple title tags, rather than a single HTML tag so that all of these tags could be optimized for various keywords. Today, search engines are able to see these deceptive “tricks,” so they’re not effective. In fact, using title stacking for the purpose of SEO optimization may get you banned by Google!
What is a title tag? This is an element used in SEO that goes in the section for each web page on your website. In fact, it is a required element for a web page, an element that should be context rich in order to be effective for SEO purposes. A title tag is formed using HTML code in this format:
This tag is seen not only by search engines but by your visitors as well. In a search engine’s eyes, the three key elements in determining where your website ranks in search results are the content on your pages, title tags, and inbound links or external links pointing to your pages from other sites.
It is recommended that title tags be approximately 65 characters in length; in fact, Google states that these first 65 characters are the only ones they give value to. Title tags should include your primary keywords and your geographic areas of practice if applicable. The keywords used in title tags should not be repeated and should reflect the keywords used in the content (main body) of your web page.
Essentially, in “title stacking” many title tags are created, then stacked one on top of the other. Title “stuffing” involves stuffing keywords into a single title tag, a practice frowned upon by search engines. While title stacking may be beneficial for immediate results, all black hat techniques will eventually get your website penalized. This means that after the initial period of success, you will likely be black-listed, and chances of long term success are obliterated.
Trusted SEO professionals use only “white hat” or legitimate techniques to achieve high rankings for websites. In most cases, a reputable search engine optimization firm will not resort to title stacking or other underhanded techniques, as they know that this is not beneficial for the overall long-term success of the business.
A decade ago, search engines were not as “smart” as they are today. Because devious people over the years have learned how to “trick” search engines for higher rankings quickly, Google and other search engines have become much harder, if not impossible, to fool with black hat techniques such as title stacking. If you want a business that is profitable and sustainable for the long term, stay away from title stacking and other tactics that are basically cheating.