Google has introduced an update to its search engine, adding a new source for title links that could impact how websites appear in search results. According to Google’s updated search documentation, the search giant may now use the OG title metadata as a source for determining title links, marking the ninth source that Google can pull from.
Google Introduces a New Source for Title Links
This latest addition means that Google Search may utilize the OG title, commonly associated with social media platforms, as the clickable title link in search result snippets. This change could influence how your content is displayed to users, depending on the structure of your website’s metadata.
Understanding the OG Title and Its Role
The OG (Open Graph) title is a piece of metadata used primarily on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to define how your content appears when shared. This metadata helps social networks determine the title that appears when users share your URL. Google’s decision to use this as a potential source for title links underscores the importance of maintaining consistent and accurate metadata across your site.
Impact on Search Result Listings
With this update, Google Search has expanded its options for generating title links, which are the clickable titles that appear in search result snippets. Although the primary source remains the content within the element, Google may pull from the OG title or other sources if it deems them more relevant.
The Nine Sources Google Now Considers
Google now pulls title links from the following sources:
- Content in <title> elements
- The main visual title is shown on the page
- Heading elements like <h1> tags
- Content in OG title meta tags
- Other large and prominent text on the page
- Any text within the page
- Anchor text on the page
- Text within links pointing to the page
- WebSite structured data
Why You Should Care About This Update
This update serves as a reminder for website owners and SEO professionals to review and optimize their OG titles. While most sites align their HTML title with the OG title, discrepancies could lead to unexpected changes in how Google displays your title links in search results.
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