How to write good YouTube titles
September 26, 2024
Crafting compelling titles for your YouTube videos is essential for attracting views, but what exactly makes a title effective? What strategies can you use to create titles that not only grab attention but also resonate with your audience?
1 - Get inspired by the best-performing videos on YouTube
There is no "one-fits-all" solution when it comes to YouTube titles. However, a great way to start is by looking at the best-performing videos in your niche. Pay attention to the patterns - what kind of words or phrases do they use? Are there common formats, such as lists, questions, or negativity? By analyzing these top titles, you can gain insight into what works and adapt those strategies to your own content, without directly copying them.
Where do you find the best performing videos? There are free outlier databases like the one from glowAI that keep track of them. Just type in your video topic or niche and you will find a list of high-performing videos related to your content. By exploring these results, you can better understand which titles are capturing attention and what makes them so effective. This research can serve as a blueprint for crafting your own compelling, click-worthy titles.
2 - A/B test your YouTube titles
When brainstorming YouTube titles, you often come up with more than one great option. But how do you determine which one will attract the most views? The answer lies in A/B testing. A/B testing is a method where two versions of a title (or other elements like thumbnails) are compared to see which performs better. While YouTube introduced A/B testing for thumbnails in 2024, it doesn't yet offer native A/B testing for titles.
To test titles, you'll need external tools like Thumbnail Test, which conducts tests sequentially. A great example of A/B testing in action is a video by the Stokes Twins. After six months, their video seemed to plateau at around 13 million views. However, after changing the title and thumbnail, the video suddenly took off, gaining an additional 55 million views within four months. Today, it continues to draw around 200,000 daily views. This highlights how powerful A/B testing can be in optimizing your video’s performance and extending its reach.
3 - Use viral title concepts
While there is no "one-fits-all" solution, some title concepts have proven to work well for many videos. Here are some common viral title concepts put together by YouTube Strategist Jake Thomas.
3.1 - Curiosity
Humans are naturally drawn to the unknown, which is why curiosity-driven titles often perform well. There are several ways to build curiosity in your titles. One approach is to open a loop, hinting at something without fully revealing it, keeping the audience intrigued. You can also talk about the future by teasing upcoming events or trends that spark anticipation.
Examples:
- "The Secret Money-Saving Rule I Learned in Japan"
- "Do THIS to Get Him Hooked in the EARLY Stages of Dating"
- "These AIs Are About to Revolutionize Biology"
3.2 - Negativity
Negativity can be a powerful motivator. Titles that touch on drama, fear, or loss aversion can compel viewers to click because they often play on the desire to avoid mistakes or misfortune. This concept leverages our instinct to move away from pain or failure.
Examples:
- "Why THIS Was One of the Most Terrifying Scenes in Film History"
- "The Most Powerful Exercise You Are Probably Not Doing"
- "8 Hunting Rifles I Regret Buying"
3.3 - Lists
List titles are a classic and straightforward format that continues to work. People love lists because they are easy to digest and offer a clear expectation of value. Whether it's a list of tips, products, or mistakes, this format remains one of the most effective.
Examples:
- "I QUIT My $120,000 Job After Learning 3 Things"
- "Top 10 Most HARMFUL Foods People Keep EATING"
- "5 Biggest Tornadoes in All History"
By utilizing these viral title concepts, you’ll be able to hook viewers and increase your video’s chances of gaining more clicks and views.
