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Which page to set as HOME page?

by mikehende
54 replies
  • SEO
    • |


So guys, I am ready to start with the HOME page SEO on my new theme but my WP theme's home page is not set up like a regular theme:

Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

Each section of that page is merely links to another full page or widget so when I go into my dashboard's Pages>HOME<Edit page there isn't any content showing as the attached image shows. So the problem is how can I edit the HOME page's description, titles e.t.c please? I can use my "Services" page as the HOME page but I want visitors to see the main page first as it shows everything at a glance of what my entire site is about, any ideas please?
#home #page #set
  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Ok,to update I am using the HOME page as the home page and have started the SEO work:

    Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

    but can anyone tell me why the link to my page is displaying the text above and not the actual url please?
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Ok,to update I am using the HOME page as the home page and have started the SEO work:

      Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

      but can anyone tell me why the link to my page is displaying the text above and not the actual url please?


      This forum converts URLs to your page <title> text.

      That's why I always use hxxp instead of http for showing URLs on the forum.
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      • Profile picture of the author paulgl
        The "home" page, or index page, is set by the server,
        or perhaps your WP is tweaking it.

        Most servers it to domain/index.php, index.asp index.html, etc.
        There is a hierarchy built in. If it finds an index.php, the it
        loads that. Or it goes down a chain, eventually finding a page
        that exists.

        So, I assume you are actually wanting to edit the index.php page.
        But you will need to look at what WP is currently loading.

        Type in youdomain.com/index.php If a page loads, then it's
        most likely index.php. Start editing that page.

        However, WP is a bloated piece of sewage. There are
        probably many index.phps floating around in your files.
        You will need to find the default one. It also probably has
        a lot of pieces of that page that are loaded to build the page.
        You will have to dig for those.

        I always tell people to ditch WP. But most people think
        it's too hard and love the bloated, inane WP.

        Paul
        Signature

        If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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        • Profile picture of the author yukon
          Banned
          Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

          The "home" page, or index page, is set by the server,
          or perhaps your WP is tweaking it.

          Most servers it to domain/index.php, index.asp index.html, etc.
          There is a hierarchy built in. If it finds an index.php, the it
          loads that. Or it goes down a chain, eventually finding a page
          that exists.

          So, I assume you are actually wanting to edit the index.php page.
          But you will need to look at what WP is currently loading.

          Type in youdomain.com/index.php If a page loads, then it's
          most likely index.php. Start editing that page.

          However, WP is a bloated piece of sewage. There are
          probably many index.phps floating around in your files.
          You will need to find the default one. It also probably has
          a lot of pieces of that page that are loaded to build the page.
          You will have to dig for those.

          I always tell people to ditch WP. But most people think
          it's too hard and love the bloated, inane WP.

          Paul
          Maybe I read OP wrong on his 2nd comment but I think he's talking about the link he posted on this forum.

          Who's on first?
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          • Profile picture of the author mikehende
            Yes, I was referring to the link, since I had edited the home page's title and description earlier today to reflect what the attached screenshot shows, I am confused by what the title text is showing on this site?
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            • Profile picture of the author yukon
              Banned
              Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

              Yes, I was referring to the link, since I had edited the home page's title and description earlier today to reflect what the attached screenshot shows, I am confused by what the title text is showing on this site?
              I have no idea what's on that thumbnail image.

              Host a larger image on something like imgur then paste the image direct link (right sidebar of imgur after upload) in the forum image URL pop-up on the forum advanced comment form.




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              • Profile picture of the author mikehende
                something's up with the link system on this forum too so here's the url:

                http://imgur.com/oJKdp4t
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                • Profile picture of the author yukon
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

                  something's up with the link system on this forum too so here's the url:

                  Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
                  That doesn't tell me anything useful, the image shows a Yoast plugin example URL while your link on this forum thread is the Home page URL. It's like comparing apples & aardvarks.
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Ok,to update I am using the HOME page as the home page and have started the SEO work:

      Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

      but can anyone tell me why the link to my page is displaying the text above and not the actual url please?


      BTW, the anchor-text on this forum thread for your link is correct, it's the exact same text as your page <title>.

      Code:
      <title>Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services</title>
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Then I am certainly missing something here. I thought to edit a page's title and description it needs to be done in the Yoast snippet editor and that title and description is what will be seen on google along with the page url?
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Then I am certainly missing something here. I thought to edit a page's title and description it needs to be done in the Yoast snippet editor and that title and description is what will be seen on google along with the page url?

      I have no idea what you're doing with the plugin but I can see your live HTML source code just fine, that's how I copied pasted your Home page <title> code.

      Most themes include a default WP page title box on the admin. text editor.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikehende
        What's confusing me here is that I edited the page's "title" in yoast to reflect:

        Expert yet very affordable Computer Repair Services in NYC

        but as you've stated, I now looked at the page source and instead of seeing the line above I am seeing these words:

        Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

        So I am not understanding the purpose of editing the title in yoast if it does not show in google? Also, then how/where do I edit the title to reflect:

        Expert yet very affordable Computer Repair Services in NYC

        in the page source?
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        • Profile picture of the author yukon
          Banned
          Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

          What's confusing me here is that I edited the page's "title" in yoast to reflect:

          Expert yet very affordable Computer Repair Services in NYC

          but as you've stated, I now looked at the page source and instead of seeing the line above I am seeing these words:

          Computer Repair | Computer Repair Services

          So I am not understanding the purpose of editing the title in yoast if it does not show in google? Also, then how/where do I edit the title to reflect:

          Expert yet very affordable Computer Repair Services in NYC

          in the page source?


          You're talking about 3 different things.

          This forum is not Google SERPs. You can change your page title 100 times in a day but Google will never know until they reindex the page & find the updated page title in the HTML source code.

          You have to verify the source code is correct & I advise to use another browser that's not logged into a WP admin or the WP cache will sometimes mess with your mind & not show updated edits. Example, If you're using Chrome to make WP admin. edits then use Firefox for checking the HTML source code after you make edits on Chrome.

          I can't help you with Yoast because I would never use a plugin for something like page titles or meta descriptions. Personally I use the default WP title box on the editor & on the rare occasion I want a meta description I would be using a WP Custom Field on the WP editor page.

          Either way your Home page title is exactly what you see on your link anchor-text here on this forum thread.
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          • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
            Yoast is saying the home page is no big whoop anyway LOL.

            As you probably won't try to rank your contact page, neither should you try to rank your homepage.
            https://yoast.com/homepage-seo/
            Signature

            "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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          • Profile picture of the author mikehende
            Originally Posted by yukon View Post

            You can change your page title 100 times in a day but Google will never know until they reindex the page & find the updated page title in the HTML source code.

            You have to verify the source code is correct & I advise to use another browser that's not logged into a WP admin or the WP cache will sometimes mess with your mind & not show updated edits. Example,

            Personally I use the default WP title box on the editor & on the rare occasion I want a meta description I would be using a WP Custom Field on the WP editor page.
            GREAT info, thanks! I looked at the source in chrome, same title. Seems to me my only option here is do what you've stated here:

            Personally I use the default WP title box on the editor & on the rare occasion I want a meta description I would be using a WP Custom Field on the WP editor page.
            I'm not understanding how to create a WP Custom field on the editor page please?
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            • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
              Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

              I'm not understanding how to create a WP Custom field on the editor page please?
              That's not going to help you either with what you are trying to do.

              Yoast "should" be working on all the other pages. If it's not (and you've cleared your cache when checking), then you may have a plugin conflict. If you disable all other plugins first and then check, you can determine if the plugin is going to work for you.

              A dead easy start for you to fix this is to stick something better in the tag line first:



              Go to settings -----> Reading and replace "just another wordpress site"

              I'm thinking your theme is what is messing things up. Here is a work around to try:

              https://wordpress.org/support/topic/...ion-of-my-site
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              "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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              • Profile picture of the author mikehende
                Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

                A dead easy start for you to fix this is to stick something better in the tag line first:



                Go to settings -----> Reading and replace "just another wordpress site"
                I am not seeing a tagline in Readings.Settings?
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        There may be a back way on the theme you have.

        Wordpress updated some things on the back end panel recently, so access to customizing things like the home page would be easier (for some).

        So there might be some options somewhere down the left menu on the main admin page.

        Otherwise, do you have a page titled "Computer Repair Services" ???

        That seems to be the primary content block on your front page.
        Signature

        "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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        • Profile picture of the author mikehende
          Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

          Otherwise, do you have a page titled "Computer Repair Services" ???
          No, definitely not, "Computer Repair Services" is only the main kw for the Home page
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          • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
            Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

            No, definitely not, "Computer Repair Services" is only the main kw for the Home page
            Where did you place that copy that is in that section on the home page?
            Hello and welcome to my site. I am Mike, a private Tech with close to 20 years of experience in the Pc repair and computer technology world.
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            • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
              Ok, I think I got this:

              Yoast SEO: Titles & Metas template variables - Yoast Knowledge Base

              For the home page on this site you may have to do those settings specifically within the yoast plugin.

              Don't look to edit a page, look into the yoast settings to find where to stick stuff that will apply to the home page.
              Signature

              "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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              • Profile picture of the author mikehende
                Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

                For the home page on this site you may have to do those settings specifically within the yoast plugin.
                Don't look to edit a page, look into the yoast settings to find where to stick stuff that will apply to the home page.
                That is exactly what I had done as can be seen in the link in post #9 so question still remains why it does not reflect in the page source title?
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                • Profile picture of the author irawr
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

                  That is exactly what I had done as can be seen in the link in post #9 so question still remains why it does not reflect in the page source title?
                  Real quick, I'm kinda busy atm, but if the title is hardcoded into whatever static page you set as the home page then no plugin will be able to modify it. You will have to edit the page by hand. If it was done correctly and the plugin can hook the title function to change it, you would normally change it there. Since it appears to be a customized page it's possible it was hardcoded into the template.

                  So figure out what static page was set to be the home page and then edit the source of whatever template it is using and see what's going on.

                  #1 figure out what static page was set to the index page
                  #2 figure out what template it's using
                  #3 edit that template in the editor and see whats up
                  #4 if it's calling a wordpress function to generate the title/header then I have no idea, you should be able to change it with yoast.
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                  • Profile picture of the author yukon
                    Banned
                    Originally Posted by irawr View Post

                    Real quick, I'm kinda busy atm, but if the title is hardcoded into whatever static page you set as the home page then no plugin will be able to modify it. You will have to edit the page by hand. If it was done correctly and the plugin can hook the title function to change it, you would normally change it there. Since it appears to be a customized page it's possible it was hardcoded into the template.

                    So figure out what static page was set to be the home page and then edit the source of whatever template it is using and see what's going on.

                    #1 figure out what static page was set to the index page
                    #2 figure out what template it's using
                    #3 edit that template in the editor and see whats up
                    #4 if it's calling a wordpress function to generate the title/header then I have no idea, you should be able to change it with yoast.

                    I doubt the title is hard coded, it's a premium WP theme sold to the public.
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                    • Profile picture of the author irawr
                      Banned
                      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

                      I doubt the title is hard coded, it's a premium WP theme.
                      Probably, I didn't realize theme1787 was a premium theme.
                      Seemed "custom" just by the name, like I tried to indicate, drive by post.

                      BUT, it might be controlled by the theme, it depends on the hook order.
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            • Profile picture of the author mikehende
              Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

              Where did you place that copy that is in that section on the home page?
              The content under Computer Repair Services on the Home page is located and edited in Appearance>Widgets>Left-content-area

              Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
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              • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
                NOTE: Below you will find only a sampling of the available variables. Please check the HELP tab in the top right corner of your WordPress admin screen in your Titles & Metas section for the complete list available to your site. You'll find it here:
                Look for that second pink box on the link I gave above - click on that homepage tab in the yoast plugin. What ever you put in there will be applied to the home page.

                All other posts/pages get edited on their specific post/pages as you create them.
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                • Profile picture of the author mikehende
                  Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

                  Look for that second pink box on the link I gave above - click on that homepage tab in the yoast plugin. What ever you put in there will be applied to the home page.
                  The Homepage box does not give any fields to fill out:

                  Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

                  and when I click on "editing the frontpage itself", that leads back to the snippet as shown in the link on post #9.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Yes, I just tried editing the title for the virus repair page in the snippet editor in WP and that too does not reflect in the page source title so I need a fix for this for every page please?
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Thanks, I think we're narrowing down the problem. I first deactivated 3 of the 4 plugins and only let the yoast active,. Then I went to Settings>Readings and this is what I am seeing, an SEO error message mentioning:

    SEO Issue: Your theme contains a meta description, which blocks Yoast SEO from working properly
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Thanks, I think we're narrowing down the problem. I first deactivated 3 of the 4 plugins and only let the yoast active,. Then I went to Settings>Readings and this is what I am seeing, an SEO error message mentioning:

      SEO Issue: Your theme contains a meta description, which blocks Yoast SEO from working properly
      Yes, unfortunately it is the theme.

      You are going to want to try to drop code directly into the theme file to do what you want the home page to do.

      As to how it is affecting the other pages, only you can see. You might want to just drop the yoast all together and find a work around if you want to not mess with the theme.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Or should I contact the theme's developer for this issue since it seems to be a theme related issue?
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Or should I contact the theme's developer for this issue since it seems to be a theme related issue?
      The theme is likely pulling information to use as the meta for that page.

      Contacting the theme creator is a good idea.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        Here's what you can try - go ahead and select a default wordpress theme - don't worry, you can select back to your canned theme and the site should display the same way it did.

        Check how things are looking/working by just changing the theme.

        Be sure to clear your cache.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    ok, will do, will get back here with their response.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Yeesh, not sure what's going on here, I activated another theme but the HOME page still shows as the theme in question, only all other pages show differently.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Anyway, I tested 2 other pages on the newly activated theme which works fine, i can see the change in the title but not on the HOME page. Template Monster said I would need to contat yoast to settle this issue.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

      Anyway, I tested 2 other pages on the newly activated theme which works fine, i can see the change in the title but not on the HOME page. Template Monster said I would need to contat yoast to settle this issue.
      Based on the links I pointed out to you in yoast, they probably won't be much help.

      But you can try.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikehende
        After clicking the FIX IT button and it showed a file which had been fixed then the titles of each page works now but except for the HOME page. In the dashboard when I open the HOME page for editing it is showing a red dot in the SEO column only for that page, I have posted on the yoast forum for help with the home page.
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        • Profile picture of the author mikehende
          Looking at this again, I just thought of something, as this shot will show, there isn't any content in the HOME page I created under PAGES in the dashboard:

          http://i.imgur.com/O1h2Pa3.png

          and that is because the home page is made up of multiple sections and widgets which are all accessed from other parts of the theme. Now looking at the Yoast here:

          http://i.imgur.com/RGaQdzy.png

          You will see 4 items with red dots showing these items:

          • Bad SEO scoreThe text contains 0 words. This is far too low and should be increased.
          • Bad SEO scoreThe focus keyword 'Computer Repair Services' does not appear in the page title.
          • Bad SEO scoreNo images appear in this page, consider adding some as appropriate.
          • Bad SEO scoreThe focus keyword doesn't appear in the first paragraph of the copy. Make sure the topic is clear immediately.

          Doesn't this mean because there isn't any content on this page, that is why I am having this problem?
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          • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
            Originally Posted by mikehende View Post

            Looking at this again, I just thought of something, as this shot will show, there isn't any content in the HOME page I created under PAGES in the dashboard:

            http://i.imgur.com/O1h2Pa3.png

            and that is because the home page is made up of multiple sections and widgets which are all accessed from other parts of the theme. Now looking at the Yoast here:

            http://i.imgur.com/RGaQdzy.png

            You will see 4 items with red dots showing these items:

            • Bad SEO scoreThe text contains 0 words. This is far too low and should be increased.
            • Bad SEO scoreThe focus keyword 'Computer Repair Services' does not appear in the page title.
            • Bad SEO scoreNo images appear in this page, consider adding some as appropriate.
            • Bad SEO scoreThe focus keyword doesn't appear in the first paragraph of the copy. Make sure the topic is clear immediately.

            Doesn't this mean because there isn't any content on this page, that is why I am having this problem?
            All those dots do is give you BS stats based on the content within the content box on that page. It doesn't look at your actual home page for a theme like you are using.
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          • Profile picture of the author mikehende
            Yes Jill, that was the issue, I added some text and now the red dots are gone. This means I was editing a non-existing page title. I will contact TM again and ask where the editing for the home page title needs to be done.
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            • Profile picture of the author mikehende
              Man oh man am I paying my dues for this new theme. Just spent over an hour with TM support, end result is you were correct Jill [Thanks] that the title needs to be edited from the Settings>General>'Site Title" field. Do I need a tagline or should I leave that blank please?
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Sorry question I should have asked is since the main kw for my site is "computer repair services" which is already in the title, should the tagline include another keyword or just put something enticing for the reader?
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      If you are in a specific location, consider putting that in there.

      Otherwise, just play with it.

      "Serving X county since 1999"
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    I have put the location in it and this is best I cam come up with?

    Affordable Computer Repair Services NYC | Expert Personalized Services
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      NYC is a HUGE place. If I am uptown, I'm likely going to be looking for something a tad bit closer than going all the way down to the village.

      I'd bring it in a bit tighter personally - but that's up to you at this point.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikehende
        Well, that was the next thing I have to address, location so I will create another thread for that.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Wait a minute, how do you change the tagline on "every" page?
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    No it's not the tagline, it's the 'site title" these words
    Affordable Computer Repair Services NYC
    which is showing in the title of every page, I am not understanding why?
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  • Profile picture of the author mikehende
    Yes, i think this is universal in all WP sites, looking at this site:

    The New York Times Company | The New York Times Company

    every page has this "The New York Times Company" at the end:

    <title>The New York Times Company | The New York Times Company</title>


    How can I insert that separator which separates the keyword and the name of the company please?
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