There's nothing fake or pointless about the title even if Shanks is still equal to Mihawk since Zoro's goal is both surpassing that level and being recognized as WSS, in the case of Shanks and his reputation he may simply not be as defined by swordsmanship as Mihawk whose entire way of life revolves around it, this isn't to say Shanks isn't a fighter who uses a sword and is perfectly described as swordsman but to say his fame isn't characterized by it, just like Luffy isn't feared for being a brawler but instead is perceived as some tall demon monkey the world may see Shanks as some menacing pirate figure instead even if he was Mihawk's swordmanship equal to this day.