The 7 most effective techniques for writing headlines that get clicked and shared are: using numbers, creating numbered lists, comparing contrasting groups, challenging common beliefs, including celebrities, and two additional methods covered below. These techniques work because they trigger curiosity, credibility, and social relevance in readers.
If you are like me at some point you have probably been half way through an article such as “8 Ways Your Business is Like Virgin Media” or “5 Ways Your Life is Like Justin Bieber’s” and then half way through asked yourself, “Why am I reading this?” However there is a reason for why you are intrigued enough to open that type of article. There are certain formats for advertising content that the media frequently use to hook readers into clicking on the link.
Creating content whether it be with blogs, newsletters or even your website content, you can’t hide the fact that it is vital for businesses. So its good to know some of the best way to get people to read the content you create.
1. Use Numbers in Your Headline
Adding numbers or statistics to a headline increases perceived credibility and grabs attention faster than a plain statement.
For some reason by adding numbers into your title not only does it make it seem more true / believable but it also gages a readers attention better. By writing something along the lines of, “Why 80% of Pensioners Are Likely To Be Hacked” it highlights the significance of the point. One method that always attracts my attention and so many others is when people see reference to the word “million(s),” such as “How X Entrepreneur Made Their First Million”. When using this method I would always recommend that you use a large amount. It is much more eye-catching and compelling for example would you open “Why 2% of Pensioners Are Likely To Be Hacked?”
2. Use Numbered Lists, Ways, and Tips
Structuring content as a numbered list (e.g., “Top 5 Ways” or “10 Tips”) makes it easy to scan and signals clear, digestible value to the reader.
Just like the title of this article, if you can put the topic into a compelling list it can be a great way to get clicks and shares. Creating your content within the context of “Top 5 Ways” or “10 Tips” is an easy and effective method for getting readers interested enough to open and then read content.
3. Compare Contrasting Groups
Headlines that pit two groups against each other (rich vs. poor, men vs. women, small vs. big business) tap into natural human competitiveness and rivalry.
It is in our nature to be competitive and we like to see (and read about) competition between groups that we are involved in and / or include some sort of a rivalry. There are many examples of this: rich vs. poor, men vs. women, small business vs. big business, old vs. young etc. One way to write this would be “Why rich are getting further ahead of the poor.”
4. Challenge the Norm or People’s Beliefs
Headlines that question a widely-held belief spark curiosity and disagreement, both of which drive clicks.
This has been one of the more successful ways that the media and writers use to attract more interest and that is to challenge a common idea. Many people click on these links out of curiosity and sometimes as people just like to disagree so people look for things they can disagree with. One example would be for this might be “Why the A- Grade Student May Struggle To Get a Job”.
5. Include Celebrities in Your Title
Referencing a well-known celebrity or public figure in a headline instantly increases curiosity and click-through, regardless of whether the reader likes that person.
Whether you agree with it or not, in the modern day the pop culture or celebrities are a huge attraction and will bring interest along with it. You can use these singers, sportsmen or even someone like Paris Hilton. My example here is “21 Business Lessons You Can Learn From Justin Bieber” as a way to make people curious and more likely to read your content whether they like the person mentioned or not.
6. Use Emotional Trigger Words
Words that provoke a strong emotional reaction such as “shocking,” “secret,” “warning,” or “surprising” increase the likelihood a reader will stop scrolling and click.
We are wired to react to emotion before logic, and headline writers know this well. Words like “secret,” “warning,” “shocking” or “surprising” tap straight into that instinct and make a reader pause. For example, “The Secret Reason Your Website Traffic Is Dropping” pulls people in far more than a plain, factual title would. The key is to make sure the emotion promised in the headline is actually delivered in the content, otherwise readers feel misled and won’t come back.
7. Ask a Provocative Question
Framing your headline as a direct question creates a knowledge gap in the reader’s mind, and people naturally want to close that gap by clicking to find the answer.
Questions work because they leave something unresolved, and our brains don’t like unresolved things. A headline like “Is Your Business Making This Costly SEO Mistake?” makes the reader want to check whether it applies to them. This works best when the question feels personally relevant to the reader, rather than generic or obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do numbers in headlines get more clicks?
Numbers make a claim feel more specific and credible, and they help readers quickly judge the scope of the content before clicking.
Q: What is the best headline format for blog posts?
List-based formats like “Top 5” or “10 Ways” tend to perform best because they set a clear expectation of digestible, scannable content.
Q: Does mentioning a celebrity in a headline actually help SEO?
It can increase click-through rate and shares, which are behavioral signals search engines and AI answer engines take into account, but it should still be relevant to the article’s actual content.
Is there anything you would like us to write about in the future, can we help you with your website or digital marketing? Get in touch today liam@breezedevelopment.co.uk