The issue: If your audit is showing that some URLs are missing title tags, you’ve stumbled across a critical issue.
The title tag isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s one of the most essential on-page SEO elements.
Without it, both search engines and users are left guessing about the content of your page.
Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and how to fix it.
What Is a Missing Title Tag?
A missing title tag occurs when a page doesn’t include a <title> element in the HTML <head> section.
Instead of telling search engines and users what the page is about, it’s leaving that box completely blank.
Here’s what it might look like in the code:
<!doctype html>
<html lang=”en”>
<head>
<!– No <title> tag present –>
</head>
<body>…</body>
</html>
This isn’t just an oversight—it’s a major missed opportunity.
Why Is This a Problem?
1. SEO Impact
The title tag is one of the most important ranking factors for search engines.
Without it, search engines struggle to understand your page’s content and relevance, which can hurt your rankings.
2. Investigate the Cause
The title tag is the clickable headline users see in search results.
If it’s missing, search engines will auto-generate a title, often pulling random text from the page.
This is rarely compelling and could cost you clicks.
3. Signals Broader Issues
If a title tag is missing, it often points to a larger problem—whether that’s a CMS misconfiguration, a broken template, or a plugin issue.
Why Does This Happen?
Here are the most common reasons your site might be missing title tags:
- Template or CMS Errors: Your system isn’t set up to dynamically generate titles for certain pages.
- Plugins or Scripts: Something in your tech stack is blocking or overriding title tag generation.
- Manual Oversight: Someone forgot to add a title tag when creating or editing the page.
Next Steps: How to Fix Missing Title Tags
If your audit flagged missing title tags, here’s how to tackle the problem:
1. Identify the Affected Pages
Start by reviewing the list of URLs flagged in your audit.
Focus first on high-priority pages—those with significant traffic potential or targeting competitive keywords.
2. Investigate the Cause
- If your site uses a CMS, check whether title tags are being generated dynamically for the affected pages.
- Look for issues in your templates, plugins, or scripts that might be preventing title tags from being created.
3. Manually Add Title Tags
For smaller-scale issues, you can add title tags manually. When creating titles:
- Include the main keyword for the page.
- Keep it concise and descriptive (50–60 characters is ideal).
- Clearly communicate what the page is about.
For example, instead of leaving it blank, a page about running shoes could use:
- Best Running Shoes For 2024 | Brand Name
4. Fix the Underlying System
If the issue affects multiple pages, it’s likely systemic.
Work with your developer to:
- Ensure title tags are being generated dynamically for all page types.
- Set up fallback logic to prevent titles from being left blank. For example, default to a format like
Page Name | Brandif no custom title is specified.
Wrapping It Up
Whether it’s fixing templates, tweaking your CMS, or adding titles manually, the solution is straightforward.
But don’t just slap on generic titles—take the time to craft ones that are optimised, clear, and engaging.
A well-written title tag can be the difference between a user clicking on your page or moving on to the next.