I know this thread is a bit old, but I'm curious about something.
If we take the example of the "landscaping company Minneapolis", of the pages that are websites, some of the titles Google rewrites (in organic) , and some it doesn't. Does anyone know why that is?
It seems to happen more frequently on those that put the company name in the title, but even that's not completely consistent.
I know the guidelines say to brand the title page - particularly the home page.
https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35624?hl=en
But Travis's suggestion also seems more enticing than Google's version, and less prone to being chopped.
If we put the company name in, then the kw + city formula can partly disappear (unless you have kw in your biz name).
This is confusing - following the guidelines or aiming for conversions...? Maybe that's why they've shortened the titles - to try to put more emphasis on the meta desc? But I really wonder how many people bother to read the desc or just click on the nearest title that looks good to them.
Organic title: Bluhm Brothers Landscaping, Inc.: Minneapolis St Paul ...
<title></span><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: monospace">Minneapolis St Paul Landscape Design and Installation Company :: Bluhm Brothers Landscaping, Inc.</span></font><span style="font-family: monospace"></title>
Organic title: APL Landscape Solutions: Landscaping Company ...
<title></span><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: monospace">Landscaping Company Minneapolis, MN, Landscape Supplier | Brick Paver Driveways & Patios | APL Landscape Solutions</span></font><span style="font-family: monospace"></title>
Organic title: Southview Design: Minneapolis MN Landscape Design and ...
<title>Minneapolis MN Landscape Design and Construction | Southview Design</title>
Organic title: Terravista Design Landscaping contractor ? Minneapolis, St ...
<title></span><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: monospace">Terravista Design Landscaping contractor ? Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN</span></font><span style="font-family: monospace"></title>
Organic Title: Field Outdoor Spaces: Minneapolis & St. Paul Urban Natural ...
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[TD="class: webkit-line-content"]<title>Minneapolis & St. Paul Urban Natural Landscaping ? Field Outdoor Spaces</title>[/TD]
[TD="class: webkit-line-number"]
Organic title:
#1 Minneapolis Landscaping | Landscaping MN Experts | St ...
<title></span><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: monospace">#1 Minneapolis Landscaping | Landscaping MN Experts | St. Paul & More</span></font><span style="font-family: monospace"></title>
Organic Title:
Landscapers Minneapolis - Landscape Design and Project ...
<title></span><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: monospace">Landscapers Minneapolis - Landscape Design and Project Management</span></font><span style="font-family: monospace"></title>
[/TD]
</tbody>