While quality content remains a key factor when it comes to ranking high on search results, crafting the perfect headline gives you the edge over your competition.
Catchy blog titles increase organic click-through rate (CTR) by up to 500%, while poorly written blog titles rarely convince one to click and read your article.
Apart from convincing more users to click your link on search results, which in turn leads to a boost in organic rankings, catchy blog titles also set the tone and increase user engagements.
Such a title captures attention and compels one to click a result they see on search engine result pages (SERPs) or an article/post on a blog/website.
Below are the best catchy blog titles you should be using if you want to drive more organic traffic to your blog.
1. Blog titles with numbers
People love numbers, and numbers grab attention. Interestingly, 80% of your website visitors will read the headline copy before deciding to read the article, with just 20% reading the rest of the article.
When it comes to organic searches, users take their time to scan the first few results before choosing the result that they feel answers the search query the best.
Using numbers in your meta titles will boost organic CTR, which in turn leads to more traffic and potentially better conversions, leads or sales.
Mike Hamers uses this simple explanation to explain the psychology of numbers in blog titles.
“Our brains are attracted to numbers because they automatically organize information into a logical order. In marketing and advertising, your headline is an advertisement for your content. A single, small odd-numbered digit, like 7 for example, is like candy for your organizational mind.”
When it comes to choosing between odd numbers and even numbers, another study found that odd numbers generate 20% more clicks than even numbers.
Here are a few examples of results on the first page of Google when you search for “increase website traffic”. As you can see, each of them is using a number (in figures, not words).
According to a study by Conductor, a higher percentage of people prefer numbered headlines compared to other types of headlines.
The conductor headline research also indicated that women like numbered headlines almost 20% more than men. So, in case your blog’s target audience is women, it would be ideal to include numbers on your blog titles.
Apart from using numbers on meta titles, you should also use numbers to split the content from one section to another.
WHY?
Because 43% of users skim through posts to either identify if it’s worth reading or when in need of quick answers to their search queries. Surprisingly, only 29% of people who click on organic results (on Google, Bing, or other search engines) go on to consume the whole entire.
Key takeaway: Include odd numbers in your title, and break down your blog post into segments with numbers. You can do “Inverted Lists” where you start from 10 to 1 or 15 to 1, more like a countdown (here is a good example).
2. Blog titles with “power words”
Most successful bloggers use certain words to capture their readers’ attention. These words are called “Power Words” as they can be pretty convincing. Power words are so effective for two main reasons;
- They evoke emotions: According to studies, content that elicits emotions is more likely to be shared than the one that doesn’t. Emotions can be anxiety, joy, amusement, etc.
- They trigger curiosity: Viral blog posts have catchy blog titles that trigger curiosity, evoking a “need to know“ desire in readers. When you’re curious, you are more likely to click and read an article, and probably share it.
A study conducted by CoSchedule to measure the effect of Emotional Marketing Value (EMV) of headlines on shares a post gets showed that the more emotional value a post had the higher the number of shares it gets.
Some of the most commonly used power words in creating catchy blog titles include;
Best, Awesome, Top, Quickest, Heartwarming, Shocking, Unbelievable, Crazy, Interesting, Strange, Powerful, Worst, Scary, Stunning, Proven, Badass, Inspiring, Luxurious, Glamorous, Expensive, Funniest, Ridiculous, Unforgettable, Effortless, Easy, Adorable, Breathtaking, Gorgeous, Step-by-Step, Cheap, Easy, Instantly, etc.
Headlines using numbers and power words would look like this;
- 23 Stunning Pics of Lake Tahoe That Will Leave You Speechless
- 17 Gobsmacking Facts About Sleep You Didn’t Know
- 13 Most Expensive Cars to Maintain in 2020
You can see the entire list of power words here.
3. Blog titles with negative superlatives
According to a study by Outbrain, negative superlatives (e.g. worst, never) tend to perform better compared to positive superlatives (e.g. always, best).
We are accustomed to seeing positive superlatives in meta titles, and eventually, we get used to them. However, negative superlatives are rare and tend to send a “WARNING”, and not many readers ignore such a compelling title.
Look at these two titles and tell me which one captures your attention the most (and the one you’re more likely to click)
- 13 Best Strategies to Grow Your New Business
- 13 Worst Mistakes That Will Kill Your New Business
I bet the second one elicits more emotions than the first, which leads to more clicks, views, and shares.
It’s ideal to use only one superlative in the blog title (whether it’s a positive or negative superlative). The Conductor study indicated that the highest number of readers prefer blog titles with only one superlative.
4. Opinion-driven blog titles
Opinions divide and create never-ending conversations. If one’s opinions about a given subject differ from yours, then singing from the same hymn sheet would probably be a far-fetched probability.
Blog titles that divide opinions drive engagements, including comments, shares, and tweets. Here are a few examples of blog posts that employ this strategy;
- SEO is Dead. Link Building is Dead. Your Pony is Dead
- Why You Should Forget Facebook
- Why Successful People Are Douchebags
Although neither SEO nor link building is dead, I still believe the same blog post had thousands of views (yet it states that SEO and link building are dead strategies).
5. Blog titles with social/scientific proof
Do you believe that successful people wear similar clothes every day? How about the existence of meridians and the ability of the human body to heal itself?
What if I told you (sorry, not me) – what if science can prove to you that we are not alone in the universe, would you believe it?
Some things can be said to be untrue until a source we can trust proves otherwise. Crafting a catchy blog title citing a trusted source will make the article perform better.
Here are some “backed by science” headlines to inspire you;
- Science Finally Proves Meridians Exist
- The Science of Simplicity: Why Successful People Wear The Same Thing Every Day
At the time of writing this post, the blog post about Meridians has been shared more than 104K times. That just shows such catchy blog titles work so well.
And here are examples of blog titles with “social proof”
6. Blog titles that use sentence case
According to the study done by Conductor, 64% of readers prefer titles that apply sentence style in their headlines. The other forms are lower case and capitalized blog titles.
- Sentence Case – “17 Ways to Increase Website Traffic Fast”
- Lower Case – “17 ways to increase website traffic fast”
- Capitals – “17 WAYS TO INCREASE WEBSITE TRAFFIC FAST”
The second most preferred headline type is a capitalized headline with 21% and the lower case comes in third at 7%.
7. Blog titles about “mistakes made”
Although we still learn a great deal from our own mistakes, our desire to learn from the mistakes of others is an innate human desire. For example, if you’re starting a new business or blog, an article detailing the mistakes someone did and what you can learn from them will always appeal to you.
Headlines about mistakes connect to our innate desire to be perfect or do everything just right. The moment you mention “Mistakes I Made” or “Mistakes to Avoid”, anyone would be interested to read, learn, and avoid them.
Examples of blog posts employing this strategy;
Alternatively, you can focus on mistakes to avoid. Here is a good example;
8. Blog titles that include brackets
Another way to increase organic CTR for your blog posts on search engines is to use brackets to inclose vital information.
According to V3b, bracketed clarifications in blog titles increased the click-through rate by 38%.
The use of brackets on headlines helps improve title clarity, which in turn leads to higher organic clicks and traffic.
Examples of headlines with brackets are:
- 7 Tips to Writing the Perfect Blog Title [Template]
- 13 Eye-Opening Stats About Human Evolution [Infographic]
- The Future of Cryptocurrency [7 Experts Speak]
9. Blog titles about “lessons learned”
Not only are people interested in the mistakes you did (and the ones they should avoid), but also in the lessons you’ve learned along your journey to success.
In whatever you have been doing, are there lessons you’ve learned that you think can be beneficial to others? People love lessons as they do mistakes, and you can give them exactly that, or even both.
Some good examples include;
- 10 Lessons I Learned From Making Many Mistakes In My 20s
- 10 Important Life Lessons We Are Often Taught Too Late
10. Blog titles with provocative questions
Using provocative questions to create catchy blog titles will ensure your post performs better compared to when using most of the other forms of post headlines.
Instead of writing a title like “Content Marketing Mistakes to Avoid“, why not create a provocative question headline that makes your title stand out and perform better?
A few good examples include;
- Are You Making These Embarrassing Print Marketing Mistakes?
- Are You Making These 7 Mistakes with Your About Page?
- Do You Make These 7 Mistakes When You Write?
11. The “X vs Y” blog titles
Users love comparisons, especially those in the buying mood. They are the ones looking for reviews and comparisons of products or services.
Rather than reviewing one product or service, take things a notch higher and compare two or three of the best. A few good examples include;
12. Personalized blog titles
Personalizing your blog titles allows you to connect with your readers on a personal level. This includes adding words such as “YOU” and “YOUR” within the blog title. Personalized titles generate lots of shares.
Here are a few good examples;
13. Statistical/case study blog titles
Another impressive way to create catchy blog titles would be to use statistics or data from a case study. This best suits blog posts that use raw data and including a number or percentage in the title is very effective.
Since we already mentioned that people love numbers, using them strategically will boost your organic CTR and drive more organic traffic to your website.
Some notable blog posts that apply this strategy include;
- SEO Case Study: 6-Step Process That Generated 150,732 Visits
- SEO Case Study – 313% More Organic Traffic With Real Examples
In a nutshell, after creating awesome, engaging, insightful content, crafting the perfect catchy blog title will give yours an edge over other equally quality content out there. Use these insightful catchy blog title ideas to craft the ideal and perfect titles for your blog posts.
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