When it comes to writing a headline for a blog, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how long it should be. A headline that’s too short might not engage readers at once, while one that’s too long might get cut off in search engine results. So, how long should a headline be?
Source: Freepik
What’s the sweet spot? How long should a headline be to maximize clicks, shares, and engagement? In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind headline length. Get ready for actionable tips to help you write better headlines that resonate with your audience and drive quantifiable results.
Understanding Article Headlines
Let’s start by answering the question, what is a headline? Parker Conrad, CEO of the cloud-based HR firm Rippling, nails its definition. He says, “A good headline is far more than a summary. It has to characterize, in a few brief words, the most important themes and news items of the article it accompanies.”
Example of an Article Headline
Here’s an example to get a clearer understanding. Headspace published an article on 10-minute meditation every day. The title says, How to Fit a 10-Minute Meditation Into Your Day, Every Day. Do you know the key factor that makes it one of the top-ranked Google articles? It’s the headline! Yep, you’ve read it right. Check out our answer to your ‘how’ below:
This headline is neither too short nor too long. It presents an intriguing question with a notable number and offers a solution to a common pain point. Plus, it has the comical factor! It ticks all the boxes for being an excellent headline that captivates the reader’s interest.
Importance of an Article Headline
Headlines are super important because they’re the first thing readers see. They grab attention, summarize content, and entice further reading. They’re basically the entry point that lets readers decide whether to read further or move forward.
Hence, write headlines by keeping the following three points in mind:
- Highlight key features of your topic.
- Tap into a relatable pain point.
- Offer the reader a believable benefit.
What Makes a Headline Great
Crafting great headlines requires you to be good at three things:
- Identifying your audience’s burning problem (pain point),
- Organizing ideas effectively, and
- Presenting them skillfully.
But wait, there’s something more that contributes to a compelling headline! The following key elements will help you understand how to write a headline that grabs attention.
Clarity
An effective headline is easy to understand and gets straight to the point. It immediately conveys the main idea or benefit, avoiding ambiguity. Resultantly, it reduces the chances of readers scrolling past.
Specificity
Keep your headline ultra-specific to make it explore-worthy. Include precise details like numbers, time, or unique angles to add value. Let’s be clear. Vague headlines give readers no reason to read further.
Curiosity
To make your headline more compelling, hint at a surprising element of your article. Another option is to pose an attention-grabbing question to trigger the reader’s curiosity and prompt them to explore further by clicking the link.
Urgency
Urgency in a headline stresses the need for an immediate response. Use time-sensitive phrases like ‘limited time’, ‘last chance’, ‘only today’, or more. It creates FOMO and urges the readers to engage right away.
Utility
The utility of a headline is an all-encompassing element that makes a headline great by adding practical value for readers to draw them in. Check out these attention grabbing headline examples that exemplify this concept. They are informative, actionable, relevant, and timely.
Don’t worry, we are not missing the key point here — conciseness. We’ll discuss it up next with a helpful approach for professional blog writers.
How Long Should a Headline Be
Source: Giphy
According to Jennifer Lee, “Headline writing is an art form.” While we concur with her viewpoint, we believe writing a compelling headline is both an art and a science. It’s super important to consider how many words a headline should be.
Search engines e.g. Google usually display around 60 characters of your headline before using an ellipsis (…). Hence, aim for a headline that’s under 60 characters to avoid truncation. Moreover, it should include the focus keyword, power words, questions, or numbers to boost engagement.
When to use short headlines?
Short headlines quickly grab attention, especially in today’s digital world where people prefer the crux over the content. Use them for your social media posts or email subject lines to boost engagement. In blog posts, they help readers get the main idea fast and decide if they want to read more.
When to use long headlines?
Long headlines are usually around 60 characters. Use them in lengthy guides and articles to provide contextual information. But always prioritize brevity and focus on the main message. Long headlines are more suitable for SEO purposes, where adding relevant keywords and phrases is essential for visibility.
Sum Up
Ultimately, the best length depends on the platform, audience, and specific goals of your content. So, experiment with different lengths to see what works best with your target audience and yields the desired outcomes.
Examples of Killer Headlines
Let’s look at different killer short and long headlines below to see the aforementioned concepts in action.
Short Headlines
- Learn Code in 15 Days for Free
- Upgrade Your Outdoor Space This Summer
- Skyrocket Your Site: SEO Tactics That Work
- The Essential Guide to Starting a Successful Blog
- Expert Tips for Growing Your Business
- Travel World on Budget Now
- Achieve Glowing Skin Naturally
- Boost Your Sales with These Proven Tips
- Get Fit in 30 Days Flat
- Enhance Your Productivity with These Apps
- How to Become a Social Media Guru
- Best Budgeting Apps for 2024
- The Ultimate Guide to Digital Marketing
- Discover the Best Keto Recipes Today
- Travel Packing Essentials Checklist
- Latest Tech Trends You Need to Know Must
- Can You Spot the Hidden Message?
- Best Hiking Trails in the Pacific Northwest
- Unlock the Secrets of Healthy Living
- 10 Quick Tips to Skyrocket Your Website Traffic
- Smart Home Devices Worth Investing In
- Transform Your Home on a Budget
- Supercharge Your Immunity: 7 Essential Nutrients
- How to Save for a Down Payment on a House
- 9 Proven Weight Loss Strategies
- Unleash Your Creativity: DIY Crafts for Every Occasion
Long Headlines
- The Science-Backed Benefits of Incorporating Mindfulness into Your Daily Routine
- Grow Your Business with Our Proven Marketing Strategies and Expert Insights
- 7 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Metabolism and Lose Weight Faster
- Renovating on a Budget: 12 Money-Saving Tips for Your Next Home Improvement Project
- Achieve Your Goals with Our Step-by-Step Guide to Success and Productivity
- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect DSLR Camera for Beginners
- Mastering Meal Prep: 15 Quick and Healthy Recipes for Busy Weeknights
- Study Less, Study Smart: The Best Ways to Retain More in Less Time
- Healthy Eating Made Easy: Simple Recipes for Busy Lives That Even Beginners Can Master
- Elevate Your Photography Skills with These Tricks & Techniques That Pros Swear By
- Supercharge Your Career with These Professional Development Tips for Advancement
- Top 10 Destinations for Adventure Travelers Seeking Adrenaline-Filled Experiences
- Avoid Low CTRs With These Proven SEO Headline Techniques
- The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Busy Professionals
- Revamp Your Living Room: 12 Stylish and Budget-Friendly Furniture Finds on Amazon
- How to Make Perfect Pancakes: The Secret Ingredient You Never Knew About
- Investing 101: Understanding the Basics of Stocks, Bonds, and Diversification
- From Pixels to Predictions: How Neural Networks Are Revolutionizing AI
- 15 Easy-to-Implement Eco-Friendly Habits for Your Everyday Life
- From Idea to IPO: A Strategic Roadmap for Startup Entrepreneurs
- 7 Ways to Break Out of a Creative Rut (and Get Inspired Again)
- How to Build a Profitable Side Hustle While Holding a Full-Time Job
- Eat Clean, Live Healthy: Nutritious Recipes & Lifestyle Tips for a Balanced Life
Wrap Up
After reading this post, we hope you now have a clear idea about how long a headline should be. But an important thing we often overlook is to never write headlines just once. We agree with Eli Pariser, an author and entrepreneur, when he says, “If you only have one shot at writing a headline, there’s a lot of pressure.” And we don’t want you to face any such pressure in writing a great headline. That’s why we are here with the perfect solution!
Generate unlimited great headlines with Content Gorilla’s brain. That’s to say, try using our Free Blog Post Idea Generator. It not only comes up with out-of-the-box content ideas but also helps you in testing headlines by getting a lot of options!
I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.