Free Tool

SERP Preview Tool

See exactly how your pages will appear in Google search results. Preview your title, description, and URL, then get actionable optimization suggestions to improve your click-through rate and AI search visibility.

Page Details

Quick Import (Optional)

Attempts to extract title and meta description from a live page. Some sites may block this due to CORS restrictions.

Page Title0 / 60 chars

Page URL

Meta Description0 / 155 chars

Target Keyword(optional)

Enter your page details to see a live preview

Type a title and meta description above to see how your page will appear in Google search results. The preview updates in real-time as you type.

How Google Displays Search Results

Understanding how Google constructs search result listings helps you optimize every element for maximum visibility and click-through rate.

Google truncates titles based on pixel width, not just characters

Google uses a pixel-based limit (~580px on desktop) to decide when to truncate your title tag. Uppercase letters, wide characters like M and W, and emojis consume more pixels than lowercase letters and narrow characters. A 55-character title with wide characters may be truncated, while a 62-character title with narrow characters might display fully.

Meta descriptions influence click-through rate, not rankings

Google has confirmed that meta descriptions are not a direct ranking factor. However, they significantly impact click-through rate (CTR), which indirectly affects rankings. A description that matches search intent, includes the target keyword (which Google bolds), and contains a clear CTA can dramatically increase clicks. Google also uses meta descriptions as snippets in AI Overviews.

Google may rewrite your title and description

Google rewrites title tags ~61% of the time and meta descriptions ~63% of the time. Google is more likely to use your original title if it accurately describes the page content, is the right length, and matches search intent. Well-optimized titles are rewritten less frequently, and your original tags influence what the rewrite looks like.

URL structure affects both user trust and click-through rate

Google displays URLs as breadcrumb trails in search results. Clean, readable URLs with descriptive slugs (like /blog/seo-guide instead of /p?id=3847) build user trust and increase clicks. URLs containing the search query receive more clicks. Use hyphens, keep URLs short, and avoid parameters and deep nesting.

Rich snippets and structured data can enhance your SERP listing

Beyond title, URL, and description, Google can display star ratings, prices, FAQs, how-to steps, and more. These rich snippets are generated from JSON-LD structured data on your page. Pages with rich snippets typically see 20-30% higher click-through rates compared to standard listings.

Why SERP Preview Matters for AEO

Your search result appearance is not just about Google rankings anymore. AI search engines use the same metadata to decide what to cite and how to present your content.

AI engines use your title tag as the primary citation label

When ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews cite your page, they use your title tag as the link text. A clear title with your target keyword ensures AI engines represent your content accurately.

Meta descriptions feed AI-generated summaries

AI search engines use meta descriptions as a starting point for understanding page content. A well-structured description with answer-first formatting influences how AI engines summarize and cite your content.

Clean URLs build citation confidence for AI systems

AI engines prefer citing pages with clean, readable URLs. Descriptive slugs act as content signals, while parameters, session IDs, or deep nesting reduce citation confidence.

SERP optimization is the first layer of AEO

Title, description, and URL are the first things AI crawlers encounter. Without strong SERP fundamentals, even great content may not be discovered by AI systems.

Click-through rate influences AI engine selection

Higher CTR signals to AI engines that users find your content valuable. Better SERP optimization leads to more clicks, creating a feedback loop that strengthens AI citation signals.

SERP optimization is one piece of your AEO strategy

Optimized titles, descriptions, and URLs ensure AI crawlers can identify and cite your content correctly. But full AI visibility also requires solid structured data, heading structure, AI-optimized content, and correct canonicalization. Run a full AEO scan to see how all of these work together for your site.

Anatomy of a Google Search Result

Title Tag

The blue clickable link. Google displays ~580 pixels (~60 characters) on desktop. This is the strongest on-page ranking signal and the first thing users see.

URL / Breadcrumb

Displayed above the title as a breadcrumb trail. Google converts your URL path into a readable navigation path. Clean, descriptive slugs build user trust.

Meta Description

The gray text snippet below the title. Google displays ~920 pixels (~155 characters) on desktop. Keywords matching the query are bolded automatically.

Google can also display rich snippets (ratings, prices, FAQs) from structured data, sitelinks, and featured snippets that can significantly increase click-through rate.

SERP Optimization Best Practices

Front-load your primary keyword in the title

Place your target keyword near the beginning of the title. Early keywords have stronger ranking impact and match the natural left-to-right scanning pattern of users reading search results.

Write a unique title and description for every page

Duplicate titles and descriptions confuse search engines and dilute CTR. Each page needs a unique title and description that accurately reflects its specific content and target keyword.

Include a call-to-action in your description

Descriptions with CTAs ("Learn how," "Get started," "Compare prices") outperform passive descriptions. The CTA tells searchers what they will get by clicking, increasing click-through rate.

Use numbers and match search intent

Titles with numbers ("7 Ways to...," "2025 Guide") outperform generic titles in CTR studies. Match your title format to search intent: informational queries need "how to" titles, transactional queries need "buy" or "review" titles.

Keep URLs short, descriptive, and hyphenated

Use 2-4 words in your URL slug with hyphens. Avoid underscores, parameters, and deep nesting. URLs like /blog/serp-guide are far more effective than /blog/2024/03/15/post-id-38472.

Place critical information before the truncation point

Assume titles cut at 60 characters and descriptions at 155. Keywords, value propositions, and CTAs must appear before these cutoffs. Never put your most important message at the end where it might be truncated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SERP preview and why should I use one?

A SERP (Search Engine Results Page) preview shows you exactly how your page will appear in Google search results before it is published or indexed. It lets you visualize the title truncation point, description length, and URL breadcrumb format. Using a SERP preview tool helps you craft titles and descriptions that display fully without truncation, include compelling language, and maximize click-through rates.

What is the ideal title tag length for Google?

Google truncates title tags based on pixel width, not character count. The display limit is approximately 580 pixels on desktop, which typically translates to 50-60 characters depending on the characters used. Wide characters like M, W, and capital letters consume more pixels, so a title with many capitals may be truncated at fewer characters. The safest range is 50-60 characters for desktop. Mobile displays are wider, showing up to approximately 78 characters.

What is the ideal meta description length?

Google displays approximately 155 characters (about 920 pixels) of your meta description on desktop search results. On mobile, descriptions are typically truncated around 120 characters. The ideal range is 120-155 characters, which ensures your description is long enough to be informative while short enough to avoid truncation. Always place the most important information and your call-to-action within the first 120 characters.

Does Google always use my title tag and meta description?

No. Google rewrites title tags approximately 61% of the time and meta descriptions approximately 63% of the time. Google is more likely to use your original text when it accurately matches the search query, is the correct length, and well describes the page content. Well-optimized titles and descriptions are rewritten less often, so optimization is still critical even though Google may modify them.

How do AI search engines use my title tag and meta description?

AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews use your title tag as the label when citing your page in answers. They use your meta description as an initial signal for understanding page content. Clean, descriptive titles and descriptions that follow answer-first formatting make it easier for AI engines to cite your content accurately and prominently.

What are power words and how do they improve CTR?

Power words are emotionally charged or action-oriented words that attract attention in search results. Examples include "free," "proven," "ultimate," "guide," "best," "step-by-step," and "new." Studies show that titles containing power words can increase click-through rates by 10-20%. They work because they create urgency, promise value, or trigger curiosity -- all of which motivate searchers to click.