Whether they’re written for search engines or social media, great headlines grab attention, stop scrolling and persuade readers to click. They also set the tone for content and can influence search engine algorithms, so a well-written headline is incredibly important.
The best headlines are clear and direct, letting readers know what the article is about and why it’s relevant to them. They also convey a benefit that will earn their click—whether that’s learning something new, getting in on a trend, or being entertained.
A headline that incorporates a pun or cultural reference is more likely to get clicked than one that sounds generic or overdone. But don’t get too clever, or your headline may feel like an afterthought and lose its impact.
If your content is about a first of its kind or game-changing, be sure to highlight it in the headline. This shows that your content is a valuable resource and will be of interest to readers.
This type of headline is especially effective for newsworthy or time-sensitive content. It takes a popular belief or expectation and turns it upside down, creating curiosity around what the article will reveal.
A good rule of thumb is to go long wherever truncation doesn’t matter (that’s for example on Twitter or page