There is an ongoing debate among bloggers and writers about the best practices for titling blog posts versus article headlines. While they serve a similar purpose of capturing readers’ attention, there are some key differences between crafting an effective blog post title versus an engaging article headline.
The Purpose of Titles and Headlines
Both blog post titles and article headlines have the same core goal: to entice readers to click and read the content. Titles and headlines are often the first (and sometimes only) thing readers see before determining if they will invest their time in reading.
However, there are some nuances in the specific purposes of blog titles versus article headlines:
- Blog post titles aim to represent or summarize the core focus of the post. They allow readers to quickly grasp what the post is about.
- Article headlines take a more creative approach to engage readers. They often utilize techniques like humor, wordplay, irony, or provocation to pique curiosity.
Essentially, blog titles inform while article headlines intrigue.
Best Practices for Blog Post Titles
When crafting effective blog post titles, it’s important to focus on clarity, relevance, and creating interest:
- Be clear and direct about the post topic. Titles like “How to Bake Cookies” make it obvious what the post will cover. Avoid vague titles that leave readers guessing.
- Use keywords that are relevant to your target audience. Include the terms and phrases they would search for. But don’t over-optimize at the expense of readability.
- Create interest with emotional wording. Phrases like “The Easiest Way” or “15 Mistakes to Avoid” generate more intrigue.
- Write for humans first and search engines second. Natural wording optimized for users, not algorithms, performs better long-term.
- Keep titles under 65 characters. Concise titles prevent awkward truncation on search engine results pages.
- Don’t rely too heavily on formatting like parentheses ( ) or colons : These don’t stand out on all screens and can reduce readability.
Follow these best practices while also tailoring titles specifically to your blog niche and audience for maximum click-through rates.
Best Practices for Article Headlines
Article headlines have more creative license to be clever, provocative, or even outlandish. Here are some top tips for writing compelling headlines:
- Get attention with emotional wording: Shocking, funny, cute, amazing, unbelievable.
- Ask thought-provoking questions: Who Knew? Did She Really Say That? Could It Be True?
- Exaggerate with superlatives: The Single Best Way, 10 Things You Won’t Believe, Never Make This Mistake Again.
- Use numbers and lists: 9 Foods to Never Eat, 14 People You Won’t Believe Exist, 7 Ways to Save More Money.
- Reference pop culture: Movies, TV, music, celebrities, and other cultural references can make headlines more engaging if used well.
- Keep it short and scannable: Shorter headlines with 6-10 words perform best.
- Use active voice and strong action verbs: Transform, Discover, Unleash.
- Avoid vague nouns like Tips, Strategies, Methods. Opt for specificity.
- Consider readability on social media: How will the headline be truncated on Twitter or Facebook?
The goal is to grab attention through wit, humor, surprise, or even shock value. Just ensure headlines match the article content upon click-through.
Should You Use Clickbait Tactics?
Some content creators rely on “clickbait” tactics like exaggerated or misleading headlines that entice clicks but fail to deliver. This can frustrate readers and lead to distrust over time.
Instead of deceiving readers, focus on creating genuinely interesting and accurate headlines optimized for your audience. Write headlines based on what you would want to read yourself.
Here are a few clickbait tactics to avoid:
- Misleading or false headlines unrelated to the content
- Vague list-based headlines like “5 Things That Will Change Your Life”
- Excessive use of ALL CAPS, symbols, or emojis
- Sensationalized or shocking claims lacking substance
- Exaggerated phrasing like “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!”
Relying too heavily on manipulation to attract clicks typically backfires in the long run. Spend more time brainstorming headlines that genuinely capture the essence of your content accurately and enticingly.
Optimizing Titles and Headlines for Your Audience
While these best practices provide a general guide, always tailor titles and headlines specifically for your audience, niche, and platforms.
Study headlines that perform well or go viral within your industry. Identify terms and phrasing that resonate most with your target demographic. Continuously test new headline formulations and tweak based on metrics like click-through rates.
Be consistent yet flexible. Find a headline style that works, then iterate and improve while staying on-brand.
Blog Post Titles vs. Article Headlines
In the crowded digital media landscape, compelling titles and headlines are crucial to standing out and driving engagement. By following these best practices, you can craft titles and headlines optimized to capture attention and delight your audience.
Titles inform and headlines intrigue. Blend clarity and creativity to produce perfectly positioned phrases readers simply can’t resist clicking on. With strategic titles and headlines that align with your brand and content, you’ll convey relevance, foster trust, and leave readers eager for more.
