Headline vs Title: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

When it comes to writing web articles, two terms are often used interchangeably: headline and title. But do they really refer to the same thing? Or are they completely different? While they may seem similar on the surface, a closer examination reveals that some key differences in a headline vs title are worth exploring.

In this article, we’ll clear up your doubts related to the difference between a headline and a title. After understanding their technical differences, we’ll discuss which is more important. Lastly, we’ll explore how to write a headline vs title along with some simple examples. 

Understanding Headline vs Title

To start with, the headline (H1) is the topmost prominent heading on a webpage. It is generally represented by the <h1> tag in the HTML body section. This provides a clear summary of the content that follows. Moreover, it enhances user experience, improves readability, and ensures accessibility. As a result, it plays an important role in optimizing the web page for on-page SEO. 

An SEO (or meta) title briefly describes the web page in a few SEO-friendly words. This text is defined using the <title> tag in the HTML head section. It usually appears in the browser’s title bar/ tab. The SEO title helps search engines understand the page content and influences click-through rates. This way it optimizes the web page or an article for off-page SEO.

H1 vs Title: Technical differences

Let’s discuss the technical differences between a headline and a title.

H1 Tag	Title Tag
An H1 tag is a structural element.	The title tag is a metadata element.
It’s visible within the web page for users to read.	It’s not visible on the webpage itself.
It does not appear in SERPs or browser tabs.	It appears as the page name in SERPs and the browser window.

To explore what is a headline in detail, check out our all-encompassing guide!

Which Is More Important, a Headline or a Title?

The headline is an important on-page factor that serves as the first impression of an article. It provides a clear idea of what the content entails. Ideally, it should attract the reader’s interest and pique curiosity.

If well-crafted, it helps readers quickly understand what they can expect, making it easier for them to engage with the content. This is how a headline’s clarity and relevance significantly impact the reader’s decision of whether to continue reading further or leave the article altogether.

On the other hand, the title is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) and metadata. It usually appears in search engine results, browser tabs, and social media shares. It summarizes the content of the web page’s subject matter as well.

Doing so helps search engines understand and index the content for more discoverability. Hence, it plays an important role in online visibility, driving more page traffic, and increasing click-through rates. 

In a nutshell, the title and headline both work together. They are equally important for sparking interest and making your content discoverable plus engaging for your audience.

How to Write a Headline vs Title

Source: Giphy

The question of headline vs title requires you to understand their main differences. They are both crucial for SEO, but they serve different purposes. The following is a table of factors to consider while writing either.

Factor	Headline	Title
Purpose	To attract and engage immediately	To inform and provide a concise summary
Character length	~ 50-65 characters	~ 50-60 characters
Keyword usage	Should include relevant KWs to improve SEO	Can include relevant keywords, but could be less emphasized
Power words	Highly recommended to grab attention, drive clicks/shares	Not as crucial, focus on clarity and accuracy
Tone	Conversational, engaging, and friendly	Informative and clear, but still engaging
Language	Punchy, provocative wording	More formal, descriptive language
Specificity	Focused on the main takeaway or a surprising angle	More specific and direct
Clickability	High priority – designed to encourage clicks	Mainly designed to reflect content accurately
Visual appeal	Often uses numbers, lists, or questions to attract attention	Focus on readability and structure

The key is to tailor the approach based on the specific goals and context. Headlines should be crafted to maximize engagement, while titles should accurately and briefly represent the content.

💡Tip: Where there are so many differences in title vs headline, there are also a few similarities. They are both written in the title case. Use a capitalization tool to ensure that you write them correctly. Moreover, both the title and headline are unique for every page/ post. Both should avoid clickbait, be accurate, and guarantee mobile responsiveness.

If you want the answer to how to write an article title, explore this: sample titles!

[Bonus] Quick + Free Headline & Title Generator 

Do you want to generate unlimited headlines and titles at lightning speed? Content Gorilla has got you covered! Leverage our best headline generator, the Free Blog Post Idea Generator. It helps you get tons of free yet valuable ideas. Of course, you can customize these ideas too! 

After all, it should not take forever to craft a headline or a title!

Examples of Great Headline-Title Pairs

Source: Freepik

Below are some great headline-title pair examples to inspire you to craft yours!

Headline 1: How to Make Your TikTok Videos Go Viral: Tips from Top Creators
Title 1: The Secret Sauce Behind Viral TikTok Videos

Headline 2: Is Microwaving Food Actually Bad for You?
Title 2: Unveiling the Myths and Truths of Microwaving

Headline 3: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking Like a Pro
Title 3: How Quiet Achievers Can Build Powerful Connections

Headline 4: Stand Out from the Crowd with These Proven Tips and Tricks
Title 4: How to Write a Compelling Cover Letter

Headline 5: The Unexpected Benefits of Learning a New Language
Title 5: Unlocking a World of Advantages: The Joys of Multilingualism

Headline 6: Upgrade Your Slumber: Proven Strategies for Better Rest
Title 6: The Science-Backed Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep

Headline 7: Overcoming Obstacles: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Title 7: The Top 5 Mistakes Holding You Back from Success

Headline 8: The Psychology of Color in Marketing
Title 8: How Color Influences Consumer Behavior and Brand Perception

Headline 9: 7 Unexpected Productivity Hacks Backed by Science
Title 9: Boost Your Productivity Without Burning Out

Headline 10: Step-by-Step Guide to Launching and Growing Your Blog
Title 10: How to Start a Successful Blog [+ 7 Untold Tips]

Headline 11: Stay Ahead of the Curve with These Essential Skills
Title 11: Top 10 Most In-Demand Skills for the Future

Headline 12: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Title 12: How to Manage Social Media Use for Better Mental Well-being

Headline 13: The Science Behind Building a Loyal Customer Base
Title 13: Customer Retention Strategies: How to Build a Loyal Following

Headline 14: Why Can’t Robots Click The “I’m Not a Robot” Box On Websites?
Title 14: Robots vs. CAPTCHA: The Battle Continues

Headline 15: The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Profitable Online Course
Title 15: Create a Profitable Online Course: The Ultimate Guide

[Bonus] 5 real-life headline-title pairs (from Content Gorilla’s top-ranked blogs)

Headline: Your Guide to the Leading Professional Women Blogs of the Year
Title: Top 8 Professional Women Blogs to Elevate Your Career

Headline: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Blogs for Women Over 60
Title: The Top 10 Blogs for Women Over 60

Headline: 150+ Topics for Articles You Wish You’d Known Earlier
Title: The Ultimate List of Topics for Article in 2024

Headline: Your Ultimate Guide to Trending Skincare Blog Topics
Title: 60+ Killer Skincare Blog Topics to Drive Traffic

Headline: Inspiring Hobby Blogs to Unleash Your Inner Hobbyist
Title: 5 Top Hobby Blogs for Every Passionate Soul + [Tips to Start Yours!]

Wrap Up

Whether you write a blog post or an article, both the headline and title are equally important. The headline is crucial for content clarity and readability, while the title is essential for SEO and metadata. We hope you liked our all-inclusive guide on headline vs title. Let us know in the comments which section of this article you liked the most.