Page title structure?

[PH292]

From an SEO and user perspective what structure do you recommend for page titles.  For example (given that they shouldn't ideally be more than 70 characters) :-

Keywords (maybe two or three) | Company Name | more keywords

I understood the best place for the company name was about second place.  Is this now the considered view taking into consideration 'branding' which has been flagged up as the way forward.

Keywords are separated by the vertical bar    |     - any thoughts?

For 'house keeping' pages such as Privacy Policy - should this be optmised or simply stated as 'privacy policy'

Thanks

[lolskizz]

If you go to Learn Seo page here on SEOmoz  there is an article called SEO Cheat Sheet and in there you will find recommended title tag syntax. And some more interesting stuff if you are new to SEO - just as I am

[PH292]

Thank you - Yes, I have seen the cheat sheet, but it was produced in a 2009 and as things change I wondered what the current feeling was.

[krissy-cca]

I always start with the keyword I'm targeting and then finish with the brand. To me the general keyword is always going to be more competitive than your brand term so in my eyes that goes first.

DD

[PH292]

Thanks Damien, I certianly agree with putting the main keyword first - I just wondered what happened next.

What do you do with housekeeping pages -such as Privacy Policy - do you optimise it for the site, or state Privacy Policy first and then the company name?

[krissy-cca]

I don't usually index privacy policies and such pages so don't think too hard about those particular titles but something like: 'Privacy Policy | Brand' is the general way I'd go about it.

DD

[PH292]

Thanks Damien - all helpful