Why has Google started to re-write my page titles?

[cubicle_Craig]

Since earlier this week I've noticed that Google has started to re-write several of our page titles and I'm not entirely sure why - does anyone have any info?

We are a UK business and currently have top spot for the keyword 'toilet cubicles' - however, our index.html page title has changed as follows:

FROM: Toilet Cubicles | WC Panel Systems for Washrooms | Cubicle Centre

TO: Cubicle Centre: Toilet Cubicles | WC Panel Systems for Washrooms

Is this Google favouring a more brand-led approach to search?  Be interesting to hear everyone's thoughts...

Cheers,

Craig.

[cubicle_Craig]

Ha, excellent Robert. I have to agree there are far more interesting topics than toilet cubicles but good to hear the site was informative! Thanks for your response above, very sensible point. If we drop a few in the rankings you have given me something to consider here. All the best. Craig.

[RobertFisher]

Brian,

I wrote a response to this, hit post reply and then got an error message from moz. This will be shorter.

Where are you seeing the reports of this or is it something with sites you control? The reason I ask, is I would love to see any examples to see if there might be a change occurring.

My guess is that the issue with Craig and Cubicle Centre is that the whole page is around Cubicle Centre and the targeted keywords are the Toilet Cubicles and WC Panel systems. With everything being Cubicle Center, those terms are being moved by Google's algo. All important on site SEO is around Cubicle Center.

It would be interesting though if there is a change afoot. If you could let me know for any you see I would like to look at them.

Thanks,

Robert

[RobertFisher]

Craig, I have to add that I now know more about toilet cubicles than ever before! Wow. I did not need that info;)

As to an additional interesting component, when I did non personalized search in US, you are ranked 2nd and on Google.co.uk you are first for toilet cubicles even though Google has affected it. Not too shabby.

Best

[RobertFisher]

Craig

I just looked at this and the title tag is what you have for FROM and when you look at the SERPs, you have the title moved as you say in TO.

This has nothing to do with Google and branding, etc. Here is a good quote from WMT:

Google's generation of page titles and descriptions (or "snippets") is completely automated and takes into account both the content of a page as well as references to it that appear on the web. The goal of the snippet and title is to best represent and describe each result and explain how it relates to the user's query.

I suggest reading the whole page; I am trying to be brief.

Now, when you look at the content, etc. on your page (I use view source as it is easier to get there) you see that as a home page for Cubicle Centre you talk much more about cubicles than about toilets. Google's algorithm is inferring that you are a cubicle centre first. If you look at the others on your site not all have changed, just a few. But, on this page it makes total sense that the algo would change it. Your alt text, most of your links, etc. are around Cubicles and Cubicle Center. Not around Toilet cubicles. Your content is around cubicles and cubicle center as well.

I think the meta description is just generic enough that t has not been touched and is verbatim. I see more often where a meta description is changed than seeing titles change, but it really makes sense here. What you may want to do is reconsider what you are ranking the home page for (Typically your business like you have here.) The problem is you are actually trying to rank for three terms here: Toilet Cubicles, WC Panel Systems for Washrooms, and then your brand. That is diluting the other two because you are strong with the brand.

Hope this helps,

Robert

[RobertFisher]

Craig

I just looked at this and the title tag is what you have for FROM and when you look at the SERPs, you have the title moved as you say in TO.

This has nothing to do with Google and branding, etc. Here is a good quote from WMT:

Google's generation of page titles and descriptions (or "snippets") is completely automated and takes into account both the content of a page as well as references to it that appear on the web. The goal of the snippet and title is to best represent and describe each result and explain how it relates to the user's query.

I suggest reading the whole page; I am trying to be brief.

Now, when you look at the content, etc. on your page (I use view source as it is easier to get there) you see that as a home page for Cubicle Centre you talk much more about cubicles than about toilets. Google's algorithm is inferring that you are a cubicle centre first. If you look at the others on your site not all have changed, just a few. But, on this page it makes total sense that the algo would change it. Your alt text, most of your links, etc. are around Cubicles and Cubicle Center. Not around Toilet cubicles. Your content is around cubicles and cubicle center as well.

I think the meta description is just generic enough that t has not been touched and is verbatim. I see more often where a meta description is changed than seeing titles change, but it really makes sense here. What you may want to do is reconsider what you are ranking the home page for (Typically your business like you have here.) The problem is you are actually trying to rank for three terms here: Toilet Cubicles, WC Panel Systems for Washrooms, and then your brand. That is diluting the other two because you are strong with the brand.

Hope this helps,

Robert