Spaces at beginning of title tag - negatively affect the optimization of the page?

[CFSSEO]

For some reason, our title tags have a long space after the beginning title tag and before the text appears. The beginning title tag is on one line, then a break, a tab and then the content of the title tag.  I'm pretty sure this is not good and is affecting optimization of the page.  Am I correct or is this not an issue and does not need to be fixed?

Example:

|

<title></span></p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="line-number"> </td> <td class="line-content">                       First keyword</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></title>

|

[MickEdwards]

Google will look for the first character.  So unless there is some hidden character in the form of an entity (which I don't think is possible anyway) spaces are no problem whatsoever.

[YNWA]

Hi mate.

It looks like its just code that's been tabbed inline so its easier to read. Wouldn't worry about it.

[JustinTaylor88]

The key thing here is whether the space is shown in the search results.

I think its unlikely that it would cause any SEO issues, if however the space shows in Google results there is a high chance it would affect your click thrus as extra spaces, weird characters etc in page titles tend to suggest that the site is less trustworthy (in my opinion).

So if space is visible in your page title and/or search results, get it sorted. If it is just tabs and line returns in the source code you don't need to worry about it too much.

Hope that helps.

[CFSSEO]

I PM'd you a link.

[YNWA]

What does it look like in a browser? You got a link?

From what you have above, it looks like code thats just been tabbed inline to make reading easier which is good practice. So I doubt it would have any effect at all.

If you browser window says .......... Footballs for Sale then you might have an issue (take the ..... as spaces) as its using characters.