I came across an interesting video by Matt Cutts head of Google’s webspam team. I was already aware that hyphens are better than using pipes for blog titles.
What’s a pipe? It is the character or key below the backspace on a standard keyboard. To use a pipe, just hold down your shift key and (|).
The problem with using pipes in the middle of a group of words when someone searches for those words in the exact phrase, the version with pipes will not show up in (SERP) Search Engine Results Page, but the version with hyphens will.
SERP: A search engine results page (SERP), is the listing of web pages returned by a search engine in response to a keyword query.
Matt Cutts explains more in this video
Here are two examples of a blog title using a pipe and hyphen.
Pipe: SEO Tips | Better Rank
Hyphen: SEO Tips-Better Rank
Now pipe up and start using hyphens in your blog titles!
Wow, I had no idea! I think I’d better check out my blogs! Thanks so much Frank!
.-= christie´s last blog ..Flatland – colorful math fun for all ages =-.
Christie,
I am glad I could help. Now get off the pipe and get with hyphens. :)
I’ve never used a pipe, but I’m often unsure if it matters if I use a hyphen or a colon. Such as SEO Tips: Better Rank. Do you know how google treats that?
.-= Jennifer/Connect with your Teens´s last blog ..Jillian Michaels New Fitness Ultimatum 2010 Workouts for Nintendo Wii and DS =-.
Jennifer,
Try to use hyphens when ever possible. It will improve search when it comes to exact phrases.
Thanks. I’ve been switching over. I think the colons look a little nicer, but I do want to improve the chances of people finding the article.
.-= Jennifer/Connect with your Teens´s last blog ..Top 5 New TV Series for Parents and Teens to Connect =-.
Jennifer,
Good move and it’s never too late to make a change for the better.
I have to admit you caught me with my metaphorical pants down on this one. I think bro’s site uses pipes and it is problem which I now know needs to be rectified IMMMEDIATELY!
Thanks for the hepful tip. Pipes kind of look good, but if they effect your SEO that is a patently stupid trade off.
.-= A. Zuck´s last blog ..Jason, Where Have You Been? =-.
Hyphens are the way to go for blog titles. It will make a difference when it come to search.
I use Hyphens in titles but try to avoid Apostrophes. Could you comment on the use of Apostrophes and SEO?
.-= Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..The Power of Silence =-.
Jonathan,
Try to use hyphens when ever possible.
I never use pipes
Oh :S I always thought the | was better than the –
Anyway thanks for this precision. I’ll rather use the – more now.
.-= Kurt Avish´s last blog ..Need For Speed Shift Demo Download =-.
Kurt,
Glad I could shed some light on the subject.
I’m not sure I totally agree with you on this one. Having watched the video, it didn’t seem that Matt Cutts definitively said hyphens are better than pipes. He said he thinks Google handles both okay and that it wouldn’t really make a difference.
Have you done testing to back up your theory that hyphens are superior?
.-= Confused´s last blog ..2009’s Hottest Product! SinkPositive =-.
Confused,
I have learned that hyphens work best with specific keyword phrases. I have added what I use based on the RESULTS that I check often.
I’m really happy when I find out things that are good for SEO and such when I discover that I have already been doing them! Hyphens act like spaces in my filenames so it was natural to use them in my post titles and other “google-able” text
.-= Andy Bailey´s last blog ..Worldwide CommentLuv search engine trawling over 150,000 CommentLuv Enabled Sites =-.
Andy,
The only way to learn is to read what your interested in and to make sure the source is a subject expert. I am not an expert, but I work with and know many.
.. but, you don’t use hyphens … you use the pipe in your title header tags~! :D
.-= HART (1-800-HART)´s last blog ..Blending Households with Pets =-.
Shhh Hart! It might be a little secret. :)
I had no idea that something so small could make such a big difference. Thanks again Frank. Hey if you can, I’m walking again for JDRF this year, would you like to donate?
.-= teasastips´s last blog ..Following Up With Prospective Affiliates You Would Sponsor =-.
Teasa,
I would love to. Please send me an email. Check out the Sharks page for my email.
i never used a piped but because matt cutts said it is good.
.-= oes tsetnoc´s last blog ..Checking oes tsetnoc SEO progress =-.
Matt explains either or is ok, but I think naturally a hyphen is used more often and looks more natural.
This is not charity, this is justice. ,
Red,
What do you mean by justice?