JournalismFree
Write search titles for your news story
Paste your story and get search titles and meta descriptions that lead with the news and match what the story actually says.
River writes the search title and meta description for a published news story: the headline people see in search results and the short summary beneath it. Each option puts the place, subject and news first, uses the words a reader would type, and says only what the story supports.
This page focuses on the search version alone. For a full headline package with print and web headlines, deks and a social line, River's headline and dek writer covers the search title too.
It is for web producers and reporters at small newsrooms who publish their own stories and want them found without resorting to clickbait.
How search titles work for news
Google uses a page's title element as one source for the title shown in results, and its guidance asks for titles that are descriptive, concise and unique to the page. There is no fixed character limit, but Google may shorten or rewrite a title, so many newsrooms put the most important words first in case the rest is cut.
Meta descriptions work similarly. Google may show the description you write or pull a snippet from the story instead. A useful description states the news in a sentence a reader can act on: what happened, where, and why it matters to them. Repeating the title or stuffing keywords does not help.
Search titles are still headlines and follow the same standards. They should not promise more than the story delivers, and allegations need attribution. A search title that baits clicks with information the story withholds may get a visit, but it costs trust with readers who feel tricked.
How it works
Paste the story
Paste the published or final version of the story.
River finds the news
It identifies the main news and the words readers would search.
Get the options
Search titles and meta descriptions, with counts and flags.
Adjust in chat
Ask for shorter options or a different keyword focus.
What you get
- Several search title options that put the place, subject and news first
- A meta description for each that states the news in plain words
- Character counts so you can see what may be cut off in results
- Flags on any option that overstates the story or drops attribution
- A recommended pair, with a one-line reason
Common questions
Is there a character limit for titles and descriptions?
Google does not set a fixed limit. It may shorten a long title or description to fit the results page, or rewrite it entirely. That is why River puts the most important words first and shows a character count, so you can judge what is likely to be visible.
Should the search title match the headline?
It can, but it does not have to. A print or homepage headline can rely on context or wordplay; a search title should make sense to someone who has never seen your site. Many publishing systems let you set the two separately.
Will Google use my meta description?
Sometimes. Google may show your description or generate a snippet from the page if it judges that more relevant to the search. A clear, accurate description written for readers gives it the best chance of being used.
Can a search title be catchy?
Yes, as long as it states the news. Clarity usually beats cleverness in search, because people scan results quickly. River avoids titles that hold back the main fact or promise something the story does not deliver.
Write search titles for your news story
Describe what you need, add any files you have, and your workspace opens with the work already underway.