CrawllexaSERP Preview
See how your title and meta description are likely to look in Google on desktop and mobile, measured in pixels rather than guessed from character counts, and find out how likely Google is to rewrite your title, based on data from 80,959 real titles.
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Title rewrite risk:
Based on Zyppy's 2022 study of 80,959 titles on 2,370 sites. Even in the best length range, Google rewrote about 4 in 10 titles, so a lower risk isn't a guarantee.
Meta description
Check many titles at once
Copy columns straight from a spreadsheet or crawl export: URL, title and description, or just title and description. Each row is checked for length, pixel width and rewrite risk, and the whole set for duplicates and repeated boilerplate.
How Google builds your title and snippet
Google writes the title in search results, called the title link, automatically. According to its title link documentation, it draws on your <title> element, the main visible title, heading elements such as the H1, the og:title tag, other prominent text, and the text of links pointing to the page. The <title> is a strong suggestion, not a guarantee.
The snippet underneath comes mainly from the page's content, chosen to fit each search. Your meta description is used when it describes the page better, so a single page can show different snippets for different queries.
We cover titles, descriptions and headings in depth in our guide to on-page SEO.
How the rewrite risk check works
The risk levels come from the largest public study of title rewrites, in which Zyppy compared 80,959 titles with what Google showed on desktop; 61.6% of them had been rewritten. The patterns the tool checks for:
- Length. Titles of 1 to 5 characters were rewritten 96.6% of the time, and titles over 70 characters 99.9%. Titles of 51 to 60 characters were rewritten least, at 39 to 42%.
- Square brackets. Titles with brackets were rewritten 77.6% of the time, and the bracketed text was removed completely in 32.9% of cases. Text in parentheses was removed 19.7% of the time.
- Separators. Pipes were removed or replaced 41.0% of the time, against 19.7% for dashes.
- The H1. Matching the H1 to the title typically reduced rewrites. When both contained a number, the displayed title kept a number 97.3% of the time.
- Repeated keywords and vague titles, which both the study and Google's own guidance identify as reasons to rewrite.
These are patterns from one large study, not published rules. The same page can also get different titles for different searches.
About the size estimates
Search layout sizes aren't published and change from time to time. The preview measures text in pixels, not characters, because an "m" is several times wider than an "i". It assumes a title width of about 600 pixels on desktop, which matches what Zyppy observed, roughly two lines of snippet on desktop, and a narrower layout on mobile where titles can wrap. Fonts also vary between devices, so treat the result as a close estimate.
SERP preview: frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be?
There's no set limit; titles are cut to fit the screen, typically at around 600 pixels on desktop. In a study of 80,959 titles, those of 51 to 60 characters were rewritten least, at 39 to 42%, while titles over 70 characters were rewritten 99.9% of the time. A clear, specific title of about 50 to 60 characters is a good target.
How long should a meta description be?
There's no length limit; the snippet is cut to fit the device. Around two lines on desktop is a practical target. On our own site we keep descriptions between 140 and 155 characters so they usually show in full.
Why does Google show a different title from mine?
Title links are created automatically from several sources, including the title element, the H1, other prominent text and links to the page. Google is more likely to use something else when a title is very long or short, vague, stuffed with keywords, repeated across pages, or out of step with the page's main heading.
Can I stop Google from rewriting my titles?
Not completely; there's no setting that prevents rewrites. What you can do is reduce the reasons to rewrite: keep titles accurate and specific, around 50 to 60 characters, matching the H1, without repeated keywords, square brackets or boilerplate.
Is this preview exactly what searchers will see?
No preview can be exact. The title and snippet can change from one search to the next, layouts vary by device and over time, and the fonts differ. This tool measures text in pixels against typical layouts, so treat it as a close estimate rather than a guarantee.
Does the meta description affect rankings?
No. Google has said it doesn't use the meta description for ranking. It can still be shown as the snippet, so a clear description can improve how many people click.
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