Over-optimized title tags and location

[McTaggart]

Hi,

Question 1) I have gotten in the habit of putting e.g. Pizzas Birmingham, Pizzas Coventry, Brand name, for pizza outlets that straddle 2 towns / cities (which is often the case) - in title tags.

I tried, for example, Pizzas, Birmingham & Coventry, Brand Name - and it didn't work as well.

PS The Brand Name includes the word Pizzeria, not Pizzas.

Both towns / cities will be key markets when I use the above format.

But could this be seen as an over-optimization I'm thinking?

Question 2) In one of my title tags, I have Pizzerias, Restaurants, City, Brand name

which is working well, but that's 4 elements - is that too many? Is that an over optimization signal?

Thanks in advance for your help

[McTaggart]

Thanks Anthony - that's very helpful feedback - I'll have a go with those formats and see how it goes. I have quite a few pages to play with so I'm gonna test, test, and test again...

[Anthony_NorthSEO]

Hi Luke,

I don't believe that this would be considered over optimization but there's probably a better solution for your titles for a couple of reasons.

1. Google places more relevance on keywords closer to the beginning of the Meta Title, so you'll want to keep that in mind. Also do a little keyword research. I would think that Pizza would be searched more than Pizzas  or Pizzerias. If I were searching for a Pizza place I'd search simply for Pizza in Birmingham, or Pizza Restaurant in Birmingham.

I'd recommend XXXX Pizzeria | Pizza Restaurant in Birmingham AL and Coventry AL

XXXX = Brand Name

2. If a user is signed in to a Google account, or Google recognizes the location of the user's IP, it will usually automatically display listings relevant to that location, which is why I recommended putting those near the end. Using your Meta Descriptions to help users know that the location is near them.

"XXXX Pizzeria is conveniently located near Birmingham and Coventry at 1234 Whatever St, Birmingham, AL. Delivery, Carryout, and Dine In available... so on and so on.

3. For local businesses, Google Places results usually display before actual websites, so do your best to optimize your local listing by completely filling out the profile and by linking to the Google Places listing from your actual website.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

Anthony