The best headlines grab readers’ attention and communicate a single idea. They can also be a powerful trigger for search engines to match your article with the right readers. But a headline needs to do more than just grab attention and trigger interest. It should be accurate, and it needs to help Google rank your content in the most appropriate places (in search, on social media or inside of a news feed).
Writing a great headline requires empathy for your reader. Put yourself in their shoes: What would entice them to click on your story? The answer to that question should jump off the page. If you can’t figure out what will grab readers, try a simple exercise: Write lots of headlines and choose one that sticks.
Jessie Willms and Shelby Blackley share tips for crafting headlines that catch readers’ attention, are accurate and align with the article that follows.
Start with trending topics: Identify what people are searching for on Google Trends to get ideas for your next headlines.
Keep it short: We recommend using the shortest headline possible for titles that will be truncated in the news feed or by inbox providers (such as title tags
Don’t give up on old “cheesy” headline formulas: Numbers and benefit statements still work, and so do questions. These are proven to leverage the psychology of curiosity and desire in your audience.