Use of Trademark symbol in Title tag?

[phunklord]

Hi all,

Question: How do you advise your clients with regards to the use of trademark ("tm") or copyright symbols in their Title tags or meta data? I'm initially inclined to think that using them is a waste of precious character space - especially in the Title tag. However, the flip side of me thinks there might be some added benefit from a validity perspective (i.e. the trademark symbol might validate the site as "official" in the web surfer/prospective client's eyes, and thus make them more likely to click)

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

pl

[ctabuk]

A long shot here, and just a guess really, but I would have thought that a well known logo or trademark could attract a lot of free IBL's - any take ups on this?

[phunklord]

I've been digging around a bit and found that:

1.) None of these big (U.S.) brands that I searched for are using a "tm" or "R" in their title tags:

- McDonalds
- Coca-Cola
- General Motors
- Microsoft

2.) A few were using the symbols in the Meta Descriptions only:

- Adobe
- Pepsi

3.) Subway actually uses a symbol in both Title & Meta Description on their international site (search for "subway sandwich").

4.) Staples uses it in the Title tag only, but on both the brand name and their catch phrase ("that was easy").

It seems to me that that is the way to go is to use it in the description and not in the Title tag. I think it has more impact that way and also frees up precious characters in the Title tag for additional keywords/keyword phrases. What do you guys think?

[bhartzer]

I don't it's necessary to use a TM symbol in the title tag or meta tags on pages. However, it should be included wherever the trademarked word or phrase appears in the body copy of the site.

[phunklord]

Thanks for the response, bhartzer. Do you think there's any validity to the thought that the TM being present adds some validity in the eyes of the consumer?

[Faglork]

As a general rule, I would shy away from using special characters in any tags, attributes or properties.

faglork