SEO Strategy

SEO for Product Titles: How to Write Titles That Rank in 2025

Oct 25, 2025
9 min read

Your product title has two jobs: convince the Algorithm to rank you, and convince the Human to click on you.

Most sellers fail at one or the other. They either write "keyword soup" that is unreadable to humans, or they write "minimalist poetry" that the algorithm can't index.

In 2025, with mobile traffic surpassing 75% on most platforms, the rules have changed. You have less space to make an impact.

In this guide, we will break down the anatomy of a perfect title, the mobile truncation limits you must respect, and category-specific formulas for Apparel, Electronics, and Home Goods.


The "Mobile First" Kill Zone

On a desktop computer, Amazon displays about 150-200 characters of your title.

On the Amazon Mobile App, they only display about 60-80 characters.

This is your "Kill Zone." If your main benefit or product type is at character #100, mobile shoppers will never see it. They will scroll past you.

The Rule: Your Brand, Main Keyword, and Primary Benefit MUST fit within the first 60 characters. Everything else is secondary.

The Universal Title Formula

While every category is different, this structure works for 90% of products across Amazon, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

[Brand Name] + [Main Keyword] + [Key Feature/Material] + [Size/Color/Quantity] + [Use Case]

Breakdown of the Formula

  • Brand Name: Builds trust and brand equity.
  • Main Keyword: What is it? (e.g., "Water Bottle").
  • Key Feature: Why buy it? (e.g., "Insulated Stainless Steel").
  • Size/Color: Logistics. (e.g., "32oz, Black").
  • Use Case: Who is it for? (e.g., "for Gym, Hiking, Travel").

Category Formulas

Different products require different priorities.

1. Apparel (Clothing)

Here, the Brand, Gender, and Product Type are critical.
Formula: [Brand] + [Gender] + [Product Name] + [Material] + [Color/Size]
Example: Nike Men's Dri-Fit Running T-Shirt, Breathable Mesh, Black, Large

2. Electronics

Specs and Compatibility are king. If it doesn't say "iPhone 15 Compatible," nobody clicks.
Formula: [Brand] + [Model] + [Product Type] + [Key Spec] + [Compatibility]
Example: Anker PowerCore Portable Charger 10000mAh, High-Speed Charging for iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy

3. Consumables (Food/Supplements)

Quantity and Flavor matter most.
Formula: [Brand] + [Product Type] + [Flavor] + [Dietary Feature] + [Count/Weight]
Example: Kind Bars, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Gluten Free, 12 Pack (1.4oz Bars)

Keyword Stuffing vs. Semantic SEO

Old SEO (2015): "Water Bottle, Gym Bottle, Sports Bottle, Flask, Blue Bottle, Cheap Bottle."
New SEO (2025): Algorithms are smarter. They use "Semantic Search" (like Amazon's COSMO) to understand intent.

If you repeat "Bottle" 5 times, you look like spam. Instead, use the extra space for Attributes.

  • Instead of: "Running Shoes, Jogging Shoes"
  • Use: "Running Shoes with Arch Support and Shock Absorption"

This targets "Long Tail Keywords" (e.g., "shoes for arch support") which convert much better than generic terms.

Optimization Checklist

  • Capitalize First Letter: Use "Title Case" (Like This). DO NOT USE ALL CAPS (IT LOOKS LIKE SCREAMING).
  • Use Separators: Use dashes (-) or pipes (|) to break up thoughts. It makes scanning easier.
  • Use Digits: Write "5" instead of "Five." It saves space and catches the eye.
  • No Subjective Claims: Avoid "Best Seller" or "Top Quality." Platforms can ban you for this, and customers ignore it anyway.

FAQ

Can I change my title later?

Yes, but be careful. If your product is already ranking well, changing the title can confuse the algorithm and temporarily drop your rank. Only change it if you have data showing your Click-Through Rate (CTR) is low.

Does the title affect Google Shopping?

Yes, heavily. Google Shopping relies almost entirely on the title feed. Ensure your most important keywords are at the VERY front (first 30 characters) for Google Shopping ads.

What about emojis?

Amazon: Strictly forbidden.
Shopify/TikTok: Allowed and can increase CTR, but use sparingly. One emoji is okay; five looks like a scam.

Conclusion

Your title is the most valuable real estate on your listing.

Don't rush it. Research your competitors. See what keywords they use. Then write a title that is readable for humans but rich in data for robots.

Action Step: Open your Amazon app on your phone. Search for your own product. Look at your title. Does the most important selling point get cut off? If yes, rewrite it today.

Check Your Profit

Better titles = Higher CTR = Lower Ad Costs. Calculate how much money you save by improving your Quality Score.

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