Headline Character Limits for Every Platform — Google, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Meta Ads

Every platform has a different character limit for headlines and titles. Write too long and your message gets cut off. Here is the complete reference — every platform, every limit, with the optimal length for maximum engagement.

Complete Headline Character Limits (2026)

Platform	Max Characters	Visible Characters	Optimal Length
Google SEO title tag	No hard max	~60 desktop, ~50 mobile	50-60 characters
Google Ads headline	30 per headline	30 (no truncation)	Use all 30 characters
Google Ads description	90 per line	90 (no truncation)	80-90 characters
YouTube title	100	~70 desktop, ~55 mobile	40-60 characters
LinkedIn profile headline	220	~65 desktop, ~45 mobile	Front-load first 60
LinkedIn article title	150	~60 in feed	Under 60 characters
Facebook post	63,206	~80 before See More	40-80 characters
Facebook/Meta ad headline	40	40 (no truncation)	25-40 characters
Facebook/Meta ad primary	125 visible	125 before See More	Under 125 characters
Instagram caption	2,200	~125 before More	First line hooks in 50-60 chars
Twitter/X post	280	280 (no truncation)	70-100 for engagement
Pinterest title	100	~40-50 in feed	40-50 characters
TikTok caption	2,200	~55 before See More	Front-load in 55 chars
Email subject line	No hard max	30-40 mobile, 60 desktop	30-50 characters
Reddit post title	300	300 (no truncation)	60-100 characters

Why Character Limits Matter More Than You Think

The difference between a 55-character and a 75-character Google title is not 20 characters — it is the difference between your full message being visible or getting cut off with "..." Your call-to-action, your differentiator, your hook — if it is past the truncation point, it does not exist for that viewer.

Platform-Specific Optimization Tips

Google SEO Titles

• Primary keyword in the first 30 characters
• Brand name at the end (if included): "How to Compress PDF Free | YourBrand"
• Google measures in pixels (~580px), not characters — W takes more space than i
• Avoid ALL CAPS — takes more pixel width, looks spammy

Google Ads Headlines

• You get 30 characters — every character matters
• Include your keyword (quality score factor)
• Use all headline slots — Google tests combinations automatically
• Numbers and specifics beat vague claims: "Save 40%" beats "Save Money"

LinkedIn Headlines

• 220 characters allowed, but only ~60 visible in most places
• First 60 characters = your elevator pitch
• Use separator characters (|, -, or bullet) to organize sections
• Include searchable keywords recruiters use

Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

• The first line IS your headline — it shows before the "More" button
• Hook in the first 50-60 characters or you lose the scroll
• Emojis work in social but take 2 characters each
• Questions and numbers stop the scroll

Headline Length Workflow

1. Decide your platform — check the limit above
2. Write your headline targeting the "optimal" column length
3. Run it through the analyzer — check character count + score
4. If too long, trim from the end (your hook should be at the start)
5. If too short, add a power word or specific number
6. Word counter for exact character count verification