SEO tags are pieces of HTML code that give search engines and browsers important information about your web pages. They influence how your pages appear in search results, how content is interpreted, and how links are displayed when shared. For many website owners, the challenge is not understanding why tags matter but knowing exactly how to add them. Whether you use WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or a custom-built site, adding SEO tags correctly is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your on-page optimization. This guide walks through the most important SEO tags and explains how to add each one properly.
How AAMAX.CO Implements SEO Tags Correctly
Adding tags is simple on a single page, but getting them right across an entire website requires strategy and technical precision. AAMAX.CO is a full service digital marketing company offering web development, digital marketing, and SEO services worldwide. Their developers and SEO specialists implement titles, meta descriptions, canonical tags, structured data, and social tags directly in site templates, so every new page launches optimized. Businesses that want clean, error-free technical foundations often turn to their search engine optimization team to audit and fix tag issues at scale.
1. Title Tags
The title tag defines the clickable headline in search results. It belongs in the head section of your HTML: <title>Primary Keyword | Brand Name</title>. Keep titles around 50 to 60 characters, make them unique for every page, and place important keywords near the beginning.
In WordPress, SEO plugins such as Yoast or Rank Math add a title field below the editor. In Shopify, scroll to the "Search engine listing" section on each product, collection, or page. Wix and Squarespace provide SEO settings panels for each page where you can enter a custom title.
2. Meta Description Tags
The meta description summarizes the page and often appears below the title in search results. The HTML looks like this: <meta name="description" content="Your summary here.">. While not a direct ranking factor, a compelling description can improve click-through rates. Aim for roughly 140 to 160 characters, include the main keyword naturally, and describe the value the reader will get.
Most CMS platforms and SEO plugins provide a meta description field right next to the title field, so you can add both at the same time.
3. Header Tags
Header tags, from H1 to H6, structure the content on your page. The H1 is typically the main visible headline, while H2 and H3 tags organize sections and subsections. In most editors, you add header tags by selecting text and choosing a heading level from the formatting menu. Use headings logically to reflect your content hierarchy, and include relevant keywords where they fit naturally.
4. Image Alt Attributes
Alt text describes images for screen readers and search engines. The HTML looks like <img src="red-running-shoes.jpg" alt="Red lightweight running shoes">. In WordPress, you can add alt text in the media library. In Shopify, click on a product image and select "Add alt text." Write concise, descriptive text that accurately explains the image, and avoid stuffing keywords.
5. Canonical Tags
Canonical tags tell search engines which version of a page is the preferred one when similar or duplicate versions exist. The tag looks like <link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/preferred-page/">. Many platforms add self-referencing canonical tags automatically. SEO plugins let you set custom canonicals for individual pages when needed, such as for filtered product pages or syndicated content.
6. Meta Robots Tags
The meta robots tag controls whether a page should be indexed and whether its links should be followed. For example, <meta name="robots" content="noindex, follow"> prevents a page from appearing in search results while still allowing crawlers to follow its links. Use noindex for thank-you pages, internal search results, thin tag archives, or staging content. SEO plugins provide simple toggles for this setting.
7. Open Graph and Social Tags
Open Graph tags control how your pages look when shared on social platforms. Common tags include og:title, og:description, and og:image. Twitter card tags serve a similar purpose on X. Most SEO plugins include a social tab where you can set custom titles, descriptions, and images for sharing. Attractive previews can increase clicks from social media.
8. Structured Data Markup
Structured data, usually added in JSON-LD format, helps search engines understand specific types of content such as products, reviews, articles, FAQs, events, and local businesses. It can make pages eligible for rich results with star ratings, prices, and other enhanced features. Many plugins add basic schema automatically, and you can add custom JSON-LD to the head section of your site. Test your markup with Google's Rich Results Test.
9. Hreflang Tags for Multilingual Sites
If your website serves multiple languages or regions, hreflang tags tell search engines which version to show to each audience. For example, <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://example.com/es/">. Multilingual plugins and many international e-commerce platforms can generate these automatically.
Adding Tags on a Custom Website
For custom-built websites, SEO tags are added directly in the HTML head or through your framework's metadata system. Modern frameworks such as Next.js provide built-in metadata APIs that make it easy to define titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, and Open Graph tags for each route. Using templates ensures every page receives consistent, accurate tags automatically.
Checking Your Tags
After adding tags, verify them. Right-click a page and select "View Page Source" to confirm tags appear in the head section. Use SEO browser extensions, crawling tools, or Google Search Console to identify missing, duplicate, or incorrect tags across your site. Regular audits prevent small issues from growing into larger problems.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to add SEO tags is one of the most practical skills for improving your website's search performance. Title tags, meta descriptions, headers, alt text, canonical tags, robots directives, social tags, structured data, and hreflang each serve a specific purpose. Most platforms make adding them straightforward through built-in settings or plugins. Add them thoughtfully, keep them accurate and unique, and audit your site regularly to maintain a strong on-page SEO foundation.
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