How Do I Write Blog Titles That Get Clicks?
A good blog title does two jobs at once: it matches the search query so it ranks, and it promises a benefit so it gets clicked. The formula is keyword plus benefit plus qualifier, in under 60 characters: "How to Find Broken Links (Free, No Sign-Up)".
The five patterns that work
- How to + outcome + qualifier: "How to Write a Meta Description That Gets Clicks".
- Question the searcher asks: "How Many Internal Links Should a Page Have?"
- Number + noun + promise: "The SEO Audit Checklist: 15 Factors That Actually Matter".
- X vs Y: built for comparison intent.
- Free + outcome: "How Do I Do Keyword Research for Free?"
Title rules
Front load the keyword. Keep the benefit specific, numbers and free both earn clicks. Never bait: the title must be delivered by the post, or bounce rates undo the click.
Write and check them free
Build titles with live character counts in the Meta Tag Generator, and see how they render in a SERP preview with the On-Page SEO Checker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the H1 match the title tag?
Closely, not exactly. The title leans for the query, the H1 can read more naturally.
Are listicle titles dead?
No, but the number must be real. Padding a list to ten breaks trust.
Related reading
Put these tactics to work
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