Top headlines grab readers’ attention and make them want to read your entire article. They are the first step to bringing in new visitors, and the key to attracting search engine traffic. With people getting their news from a variety of sources, it’s more important than ever to have a headline that is both captivating and SEO-friendly.
Creating an intriguing headline that makes people do a double-take is one of the oldest tricks in the book. It’s why you see so many National Enquirer headlines—they create the sensation that something incredible is happening and invite readers in to find out more. This type of headline also works well on social media, where the short headline with a catchy detail is easily shareable.
A snarky headline can add a bit of fun to an otherwise boring story, and is a good way to generate buzz on social media and in email. However, be careful not to get too snarky or you’ll alienate your readers. This is one of the few times in content marketing where it’s better to be straightforward than clever.
If your headline is going to be a main source of traffic, it’s critical that it contains the keywords that your readers are searching for. Packing in keywords is called “Google Juice” and it will help you rank higher in search results. Fortunately, OptinMonster’s headline analyzer can help you make sure your headline is SEO-friendly. Check out our free tool to make sure your headline is as effective as possible!