Articles

Clickbait Titles: How to Write Them and 41+ Inspiring Examples

date posted

03/11/21

read time

10 Mins

A woman in a white blouse sits at her desk, wide-eyed as she examines examples on her laptop screen. Her hands hover above the keyboard in shock. The blurred office backdrop features shelves and colorful binders.

Between ideating a subject for a piece of content, finding keywords to integrate into it, writing the content, and finally editing and publishing it, the hardest part of creating a successful blog or article might just be getting someone to actually click on it.

Let’s say you wrote a piece of content that was all about DIY roof repairs. If you Google “DIY Roof Repairs,” you’ll see the entire first, second, third, and fourth pages are all littered with people who had the same idea you did. So, how do you get your content to stand out?

First and foremost, the content needs to be written well. Think of Google as your very strict English teacher in 8th grade. Grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and poorly written sentences are going to get you a bad grade. Only the best-written content will get on the front page (or receive an A) grade. In addition, images and keywords need to be included.

Another key to standing out and getting high on Google is having a title that breaks through the clutter. One way to do this is to write a “clickbait” title. A good clickbait title is more than just one that reads like spam. There are some nuances to writing clickbait titles that actually work. We break it down below!

But first – why did we provide this list? We serve contractors and home service companies with marketing + web design! Check out our articlesabout HVAC Marketing, Angi Leads Reviews, HVAC Websites, HVAC SEO, Roofing SEO, and Local Service Ads Marketing.

Clickbait Titles: Why You Need Them + How to Write an Effective One

As we mentioned, clickbait titles are necessary because your content is often jostling for the top spot on Google with other quality blog posts or pieces of content. A good title that clarifies what a reader will find in the article can help you stand out and get more clicks.

The key to a good clickbait title is to not lie to the audience. If you write some crazy, over-the-top title but your content doesn’t deliver, that’s not good. If your title for the DIY roof repair content is “17 Revolutionary DIY Roof Repair Tips That Will Change the Roofing Game Forever”, but your content just lists out really basic tips that are going to likely harm your SEO. Sure, people will click on it, but when they see that you’re not offering anything revolutionary, they’ll back out because they feel like they were lied to. That can harm your SEO. In addition, they’ll associate your brand name with being spammy. That’s not good either.

An example of good titles for the DIY roof repair post are:

15 DIY Roof Repair Tips to Make Your Life Easier 

Banner Text: "Complimentary Website Audit: Unlock Your Winning Strategy"  
Bold Text: "Claim Yours Now"  
Note with Arrow: "Exclusively for Home Service Companies"  

Background: Dark with a subtle pattern.

10 DIY Roof Repair Tips to Avoid Using a Contractor

7 DIY Roof Repairs That Can Be Done in an Afternoon

These are great because they clearly illustrate what the user will find in the article, as well as speak to a specific pain point they might be having (frustration from a roof that doesn’t look great or isn’t functioning properly; want to avoid using a contractor; are looking for repairs that won’t take them a long time).

Here are some examples of other details to potentially include in your “clickbait” titles to help get you more clicks.

Add a Keyword

Google is smart and has a better idea now more than ever as to what people are searching for. This is why keywords are so important to make sure your content is being seen and generating more traffic.

When you don’t have a title that doesn’t use your main keyword, for example, “Austin restaurants,” then your content won’t rank well in the search engine results.

So if you are looking to get your content seen, having the keyword is pretty much essential and will also help the searcher have a better idea of what the content is about.

Use Popular Trends that are Happening

Using popular trends for clickbait is another effective way for you to get more traffic from your clickbait title. This will not only add something new to your title but will also be something that your audience will find familiar.

Having both the strategy of the SEO keyword along with the trendy and eye-catching trend in your title, you are leveraging both sides, giving you a more powerful and engaging title. This will lead to more website traffic on your site and beat out the other competing content out there.

Be Controversial about Something

Being controversial isn’t always ideal for business, but sometimes it helps you get more attention.

If you have an opinion that’s different from the status quo, by all means, share it. Just make sure you’re able to back it up.

You don’t want to be controversial just for the sake of getting a good clickbait title. If you do this, you may lose the trust of your audience and turn them somewhere else.

However, if you are able to make a valid point with your clickbait controversial title, then it can do very, very well.

Use Teasers to Bulk Up Your Headlines

When you have a short title headline that could use some bulking up, use a teaser in the headline and call something out inside of the article.

Why does having a teaser help?

Because it calls out something within the article, like “you won’t believe number 10.” By doing this, the reader knows that they are in for a treat at number 10 and will read at least up to there and will probably just end up reading until the end.

clickbait titles

Examples of Clickbait Titles

  1. 12 Surprising SEO Tricks You Don’t Know
  2. 5 Incredible Roofing Tips You Need to Know
  3. 7 Plumbing Hacks Plumbers Don’t Want You to Know
  4. The Shocking Truth About HVAC Maintenance Costs
  5. Why Most Roof Repairs Fail in Less Than a Year
  6. 13 Unbelievable Marketing Statistics You Won’t Believe
  7. The Ultimate Checklist to Winter-Proof Your Home
  8. 8 Reasons Why Celebrities Love This Workout Program
  9. Why You’ve Never Heard of This Top Travel Destination
  10. You’re Losing Heat (and Money!) Because of This One Mistake
  11. This Simple Gutter Hack Could Save You Thousands
  12. What You Don’t Know About Custom Designing a Home
  13. Why Homeowners Are Switching to These New Roofing Materials
  14. The Best Home Improvement Trends of 2020
  15. The Most Common Furnace Problem (and How to Fix It)
  16. This Simple Insulation Tip Will Cut Your Energy Bill in Half
  17. See 7 Ways Business Owners Are Saving Money on Taxes
  18. Don’t Remodel Until You’ve Read These 7 Pro Tips
  19. 10 Signs Your Home Is Overdue for a Professional Cleaning
  20. How to Tell If Your Roof Needs Replacing (Before It’s Too Late)
  21. 6 Bathroom Remodeling Trends Everyone Will Want in 2024
  22. Why You’ll Never Get More Leads Without Doing This
  23. How This Simple Fix Prevented a $10,000 Basement Flood
  24. The Truth About Solar Panels Most Companies Won’t Tell You
  25. The Secret to a Perfectly Manicured Lawn Without Breaking a Sweat
  26. See How You Can Get More Clients Doing (Example)
  27. 5 Reasons Homeowners Are Upgrading Their HVAC Systems Now
  28. 7 Ways You Can Triple Your Website Traffic
  29. You Won’t Believe the Secret Ingredient in Our Special Sauce
  30. 6 Landscaping Secrets Pros Swear By
  31. Why You Should Never DIY This Home Repair
  32. What You Don’t Know About Water Heaters Could Be Costing You
  33. 8 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Will Wow Your Neighbors
  34. Why Smart Thermostats Are a Game-Changer for Homeowners
  35. This Simple Tool Makes Power Washing 10x Easier
  36. 13 Inventions You Didn’t Believe Existed
  37. 8 Things Pest Control Companies Wish You Knew
  38. 4 Photos That Will Make You Think Twice About (Blank)
  39. This Simple HVAC Upgrade Can Save You Hundreds Each Year
  40. The Top 5 Roofing Scams and How to Avoid Them
  41. How to Increase Your Home’s Value by $15k in One Weekend
  42. These 4 Photos Will Make You Rethink Your Roof Repair Plans
  43. Revolutionary Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Plumbing System
  44. Why You’re Losing Customers (and How You Can Fix It)
  45. This Is Why You’re Losing Money

Here are just a few clickbait titles! Just don’t forget to deliver on the promise of your title. 😉  More examples below this infographic!

 

clickbait titles infographic

1. Trigger Curiosity With Open-Ended Statements

People are naturally curious, and open-ended titles tease readers with a promise of something surprising or unknown. When your headline leaves a question unanswered or hints at something unexpected, it compels the reader to click and find out more.

  • Examples:
    • “10 Things You Didn’t Know About SEO (Number 4 Will Blow Your Mind)”
    • “You’ll Never Believe What This Simple Trick Did for Our Website Traffic”
    • “What Happens When You Try This DIY Roofing Hack?”

Why They Work: These titles play on FOMO (fear of missing out) and make readers feel like they might miss valuable information if they don’t click.


2. Incorporate Numbers to Offer Specificity and Credibility

Numbers not only catch the eye but also suggest a concise, organized list of valuable takeaways. They set an expectation that the reader will gain actionable insights quickly.

  • Examples:
    • “7 Proven Strategies to Double Your Marketing Leads”
    • “5 Incredible Roofing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know”
    • “13 Shocking SEO Myths Debunked”

Why They Work: Lists promise easily digestible information and the numbers add credibility, giving the reader a sense of clear structure.


3. Leverage Urgency or Scarcity

Urgency taps into the reader’s fear of missing out, pushing them to take immediate action. By framing the content as something timely or limited, you increase the likelihood of a click.

  • Examples:
    • “Don’t Miss Out: 9 Web Design Trends That Are Disappearing in 2024”
    • “Act Fast! These SEO Hacks Won’t Work After This Year”
    • “Why You’re Losing Leads (And How to Stop It Today)”

Why They Work: People are wired to respond to urgency, especially when it’s linked to a potential loss or opportunity they don’t want to miss.


4. Create Controversy or Challenge Assumptions

Challenge the status quo with a bold statement or controversial take. This grabs attention by either shocking the reader or intriguing them with a fresh perspective.

  • Examples:
    • “Why DIY Roofing is the Worst Idea for Homeowners”
    • “Stop Using These SEO Tactics—They’re Ruining Your Website!”
    • “Most Digital Marketers Get This Wrong—Do You?”

Why They Work: Controversial titles invite debate and often polarize opinions, encouraging people to click and engage with the content, even if just to see if they agree or disagree.


5. Highlight Benefits or Solutions to Pain Points

Titles that address common problems or offer solutions to specific pain points appeal directly to the reader’s needs. This makes the content feel relevant and valuable.

  • Examples:
    • “How to Save Thousands on Home Repairs With These 5 DIY Roofing Tips”
    • “The Secret to Getting More Leads Without Spending a Fortune”
    • “10 Ways to Fix Your Website’s Slow Load Times (And Keep Visitors Happy)”

Why They Work: These titles appeal to the reader’s desire for improvement and practical solutions, positioning the content as directly useful.


6. Add Teasers or Cliffhangers

Teasers create suspense by hinting at something intriguing without fully revealing it in the title. This forces the reader to click in order to satisfy their curiosity.

  • Examples:
    • “You Won’t Believe What We Found in Our Latest Marketing Audit”
    • “The Secret Ingredient in Our Special Sauce for Converting Leads”
    • “This Simple Change Will Transform Your Website’s Performance”

Why They Work: Teasers pull the reader in by making them feel like they’re on the verge of discovering something important or surprising.


Final Thought:

Clickbait titles, when done right, aren’t just about cheap clicks—they’re about capturing attention in a crowded digital space. Remember to follow through on the promise of your title. The best clickbait titles not only get clicks but also build trust by delivering on their bold claims.

Learn How To Do Google Local Service Ads Yourself (Free DIY Course)

Want to know how to start getting Local Service Ads leads on your own?

🎥 3 original videos designed to help you get started on LSA Ads.

🔥 Get the ‘Google Guaranteed’ badge to use in other marketing as well.

📈 Only pay per lead, and start getting more leads soon!

Is there you or someone on your team that would like to take it? Enter their info (or yours) below!

Ready to take the leap?

“We know what it takes to help get home service businesses more leads with Google. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll get you where you need to go.”

A woman with long, wavy brown hair stands confidently in front of a black brick wall, embodying Tim Brown's iconic urban style. She wears a black top and accessorizes with a heart pendant gold necklace.
- Sydnee Olsen, Sales Lead
Schedule Intro Call Schedule a Free 20-Minute Consultation (No Obligation)