This will be a quick SEO test, very easy to prove Google completely ignores the title attribute of text links.
Google probably ignores the title attribute SEO wise because it’s semi-hidden content that can be very easily abused by black hat SEOs.
Though interestingly Google does count the alt text of images as a ranking factor and that’s as semi-hidden as the title attribute text.
As I wrote this article I did a few Google searches like “Title Attribute SEO” and was shocked to find some still either believe the title attribute has SEO value or they don’t know for sure!
Title Attribute SEO Ranking Value
If your SEO expert or SEO consultant is advising you to optimize your title attributes for increased Google rankings, run away right now. They are not experts in search engine optimization and should not be allowed near your website and definitely not your money!
What is a Title Attribute?
First things first, we are not testing the Title Element or Title Tag SEO value, the title tag is VERY important SEO wise and found within the head of a web page and looks like this
<title>Title Tag Has a Lot of SEO Value</title>
I’ve wrote about the title tag regarding a WordPress home page title tag and WordPress title tags generally.
The title attribute is added to text links and other HTML elements and looks like this:
<a href="https://stallion-theme.co.uk/yoast-wordpress-seo-plugin-review/?cid=51" title="THIS IS THE TITLE ATTRIBUTE">Best WordPress SEO Setup</a>
Title Attribute SEO Testing
I took this code from the title attribute SEO test text link from the anchor text SEO tips article.
So I didn’t damage the SEO test I changed the title attribute in the code above to title=”THIS IS THE TITLE ATTRIBUTE”, it looks like this code wise: Screenshot of Firefox view source-
I highlighted the title attribute text which is a unique made up keyword I used to prove Google doesn’t use the title attribute in it’s ranking algorithm.
If you search Google for the made up keyword you will find as of April 2nd 2014 there are no results found. Google SERP screenshot below:
This could not be a clearer SEO test result. Neither the page the link is on or the link is to is ranking for the made up keyword, clear proof Google ignores it.
David Law
Website - SEO Gold
Try With a Long Tail Keyword SERP Instead of a Fake Word
although, your post is not so fresh, so you may be not interested any more, I’d like to ask if you have ever tried to test a long tail phrase instead of that meaningless word? I suppose Google in order to do not waste time and efforts should have implemented something to rip off of fake words. Indeed, a brand new business may not rank immediately for its brand name, when its name is something away from something that sound “human”.
I mean try to add a long phrase that make sense and there is no hint of that exact phrase on internet. wait for 3 weeks up to 1 months and then see.
I’m not sure, but IMHO it should rank if it makes sense in the contest of your page, your website etc etc.
I suppose the biggest point missed by SEO is: meta tags, attributions or any other part for our code are there to add information not to cheat Google. The Title Attribute is for an alternative info to show, for example it can be a “tool tip” (a short message that appears when the pointing device pauses over an object).
So if Google is improving its algorithm, testing fake keywords will be pointless, as – sorry for my language – Google won’t give a shit to a word without meaning; showing a word without meaning won’t make the user experience amazing or slightly better, that’s why Google dumps straight way fake words and misspellings.
Cheers,
P
Try With a Long Tail Keyword SERP Instead of a Fake Word
Long Tail Keywords SEO Test
How is an SEO test created 5 months ago that is still valid not a fresh post, it’s only 5 months, Google doesn’t change that fast?
I regularly check my SEO tests, this one is a public SEO test, most of my tests are private so they can’t be damaged.
Regarding using made up words for SEO tests, you clearly do not understand the scientific process. If you can remove as many variables as possible it makes a test easier to perform and interpret.
Do you seriously believe Google has an algorithm that some how decides what is and what is not a real word? If you believe this, you don’t understand Google, let’s see if you are correct, three new made up words.
bzrzgzinz
rminghysd
mrygthsfyr
All three searches gave:
If Google can ignore made up words explain why made up words work in other SEO tests like at Anchor Text SEO Tests?
What you are attempting to do is find a reason beyond Google ignoring the title attribute text to explain the clear cut SEO result. Google ignores the title attribute text, if you believe Google uses the title attribute show me an SEO test that proves your belief?
90% of what you wrote either made no sense or was wrong, meta tags for example have no RANKING value.
Google does not ignore made up words, it does not ignore misspellings.
The only thing you got right was the title attribute is used as a tooltip.
And yes I have SEO tests for the title attribute with long tail SERPs, same result. Feel free to test it yourself, it’s a simple SEO test to setup.
Create a phrase not found on the page, you can even use important keywords, for example I could have created a title attribute with this phrase
“Bullshit SEO Title Attribute has SEO Value”
Currently this phrase doesn’t exist on the Internet, you would check by doing a Google search for the phrase above including the speech marks (looks for the exact phrase only). Google gave these results:
Clearly since I’ve added this above text here in a few days this page will be found for the exact search phrase above, so you must only use the test phrase as the title attribute ONLY. I’ve added another unique title attribute to a link within this comment that’s similar to the text above, every word in the title attribute exists on this page, the only thing unique is the order of the words. these are the words in a different order, so I’m repeating them again in alphabetical order:
Advice
Attribute
Bullshit
Ranking
SEO
Title
Value
Right now the loose search for both long tail phrase finds my “101 SEO Tips” article as number one, but no pages are found for the exact “Google search”.
Search Google for “Bullshit SEO Title Attribute has SEO Value”, when Google finds this comment, view source of this comment, find the link with anchor text “Anchor Text SEO Tests”, search Google for the text within title=”unique phrase including bullshit SEO here” and as it’s the title attribute you won’t find anything in Google for the exact search.
Guess we’ll see a comment the SEO test isn’t valid because you have to use the speech marks to find an exact match, if you believe that there’s no convincing you :-)
This is using the scientific method to my advantage: studied genetics at Uni, planned to go into HIV research, I know how to setup valid experiments, but I’m very happy to be proved wrong. If you prove me wrong my understanding of SEO improves, that makes me better at SEO which makes me more money. I will thank you if you prove me wrong.
David
Long Tail Keywords SEO Test
by fresh I wasn’t meaning it wasn’t valid, but that eventually you wouldn’t be interested in it.
I have no proof or evidence of anything, I was wondering if we try this what will happen. That’s it. I suppose you can get I’m not English – I didn’t know the “made up words” term – so please be kind to understand something may be lost in the translation, therefore try to see what I say as a way to discuss, it wasn’t anything against you. I felt your comment a bit aggressive and I don’t understand why, I wasn’t criticising you or your method, I wasn’t state Google is always right! I was asking you if you have tried something, and I did it because I was curious to see if it changes something.
Why do you attack me for something that I didn’t state? For example can you quote where I said this: “meta tags have RANKING value”?
I said those are there to add information not to cheat Google.
What I was trying to say is: Google reckons made up words as you said when you misspell something it will suggest words; I supposed in theory it should’t pay too much attention to made up words. I said I was supposing, so instead of start doing a kind of sarcastic insulting would it have been too hard just linking the other post saying: yes, I tried this or this etc etc?
Sorry, I thought you were open up to talk, but I believe I was wrong on all therefore I won’t bother you any more.
Have a good day,
P.
Optimization of Title Attribute