Understanding the Site Name in Google Search Results

What is the Site Name?

In Google search results, the top line of text above the page title and URL is called the Site Name. This is how Google identifies the website for users. It helps people quickly recognise where the search result is coming from.

What Influences the Site Name?

Google determines the Site Name using various signals across your website and the web - Google can still decide what to display based on:

• Page Titles: The titles of key pages, especially the homepage, often influence the Site Name.
• Brand Mentions: If your brand name is widely recognised across the web (social media, external websites, business directories), Google may prioritise that.
• Internal Links & Navigation: If your own site consistently refers to itself using a certain name (e.g., in navigation menus, footers, and internal links), Google may use that.
• Domain Name: Google may extract the Site Name from your domain, particularly if it clearly matches your brand.
• Google Business Profile (if applicable): If your business has a Google profile, the name used there can sometimes influence how your website is displayed.

Steps to Influence or Update Your Site Name in Google Search

If Google is displaying the wrong Site Name, follow these steps to encourage an update:

✅ 1. Update Your Homepage Title Tag

• Ensure your homepage title tag includes your preferred Site Name.
• Example format:
  • Good: "Your Brand Name | What You Do"
  • Avoid: "Welcome to Our Website - Best Services Online"

Login to ASP: Goto Pages > Home Page > Edit Page > Page Options > SEO > Meta Title (Update this as above).

✅ 2. Use the Correct Brand Name in Headers & Content

• The H1 heading on your homepage should clearly state your brand name.
• Ensure the footer and navigation bar also use the correct name.

✅ 3. Keep Your Branding Consistent Online

• Use the same business name across all external platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, business directories, etc.).
• Avoid variations (e.g., "Your Brand Name Ltd" vs. "YourBrand").

✅ 4. Check Your Google Business Profile (If Relevant)

• If you have a Google Business Profile, update the name to match what you want Google to display.

✅ 5. Review Internal Links & Anchor Text

• When linking to the homepage, ensure the anchor text is your brand name rather than generic terms like "Home".

✅ 6. Get Your Brand Name Mentioned on Trusted Sites

• Encourage mentions of your brand name on reputable external websites (e.g., press releases, industry blogs, or guest articles).

How Long Will It Take to Update?

Google does not change the Site Name instantly. It may take a few weeks to months for updates to be recognised, depending on how often Google crawls your site.

By following these steps, you increase the chances of Google displaying the correct Site Name in search results.

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