How to Write the Best Titles for Your YouTube Videos (with examples)

One of the most crucial elements of your YouTube strategy is how you construct your video titles. A compelling title can make the difference between a viewer clicking on your video or scrolling past it. It’s not just about grabbing attention; a well-crafted title boosts your visibility in search results and can significantly increase your video’s engagement.

Think of your title as the first impression you make on potential viewers – it needs to be captivating, informative, and optimised for search engines.

In this post, we’ll delve into the art and science of creating the best titles for your YouTube videos, complete with examples to get your creative juices started. So, let’s get started and take your titles from good to great! 💪

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The Importance of a Great YouTube Title

A great YouTube title is more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a powerful tool that can significantly impact your video’s success. Titles play a crucial role in how your content ranks in search results. YouTube's algorithm considers various factors when determining which videos to display, and the title is one of the most critical elements. By incorporating relevant keywords and phrases, you can improve your video's visibility, making it easier for potential viewers to find your content when they search for related topics.

Beyond search rankings, a compelling title is essential for attracting clicks and views. Your title is often the first thing a viewer sees, and it needs to capture their interest immediately. An engaging title sparks curiosity, promises value, or evokes an emotional response, prompting viewers to click and watch. In a sea of content, your title is your chance to stand out and draw viewers in. 

A well-crafted title not only boosts your video's discoverability but also sets the stage for higher engagement, as viewers are more likely to watch, like, and share content that catches their eye from the get-go.

In essence, mastering the art of YouTube titles is a foundational step in growing your channel and reaching a broader audience.

Crafting Attention-Grabbing Titles

Creating attention-grabbing titles starts with a deep understanding of your audience. Knowing their interests, preferences, and search behaviours allows you to tailor your titles to what they are actively looking for and what will resonate with them. This alignment ensures that your titles not only attract clicks but also meet the expectations of your viewers, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Next we are going to list some of the key strategies to make your titles pop.

Use power words and emotional titles

An effective strategy for crafting compelling titles is to use power words and emotional triggers. These words can evoke strong emotions and prompt viewers to click on your video. Examples of power words include "ultimate," "proven," "essential," "secret," and "amazing". Emotional triggers in your titles such as "shocking," "heartwarming," "unbelievable," and "inspiring" can also significantly boost your title's appeal. Check out our list of 100 power words to use in your YouTube titles.

Incorporating curiosity and intrigue is another powerful tactic. Titles that tease the content without giving everything away can spark curiosity and compel viewers to click to find out more. Phrases like "You won't believe," "What happens next," and "The truth about" are great for creating a sense of mystery and anticipation.

Here are some examples of compelling titles that effectively use power words and intrigue:

• "The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your YouTube Views: Proven Strategies"
• "10 Shocking Facts About [Topic] You Never Knew"
• "The Secret to [Desired Outcome] Revealed"
• "What Happens When You [Action]? The Results Will Amaze You"

By understanding your audience, utilising power words, and incorporating elements of curiosity, you can craft titles that not only attract attention but also drive viewers to click and engage with your content.

SEO Optimise

Optimising your YouTube titles for SEO is crucial for enhancing your video's visibility and attracting more viewers. Keywords play a significant role in this process. Identifying the right keywords involves understanding what your audience is searching for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Maekersuite, and vidIQ can help you find popular and relevant keywords for your content.

Once you've identified the right keywords, the next step is to place them effectively within your titles. Aim to include the primary keyword at the beginning of your title, as this is where it will have the most impact. Additionally, ensure your title reads naturally and remains engaging to viewers. Avoid keyword stuffing, as this can make your title seem spammy and deter potential viewers.

Here are some examples of SEO-optimised titles:

• "How to Lose Weight Fast: 10 Proven Tips"
• "DIY Home Improvement Projects: Step-by-Step Guide"
• "Top 5 Digital Marketing Strategies for 2024"
• "Beginner's Guide to Yoga: Best Practices and Poses"
• "Mastering Photoshop: Essential Techniques for Beginners"

By focusing on relevant keywords and strategically placing them in your titles, you can improve your video's search rankings and attract a broader audience, ultimately driving more views and engagement.

Keep Titles Short and Sweet

The ideal length for a YouTube title is typically between 50-60 characters. This length ensures your title is concise yet informative, making it easy for viewers to quickly understand what your video is about. Titles that are too long may get cut off, especially on mobile devices, which can lead to a loss of crucial information.

Balancing brevity with informativeness is key. Your title should be short enough to be easily readable at a glance but detailed enough to convey the essence of your content. Focus on including the most important keywords and making every word count.

Here are some examples of concise yet informative titles:

• "Top 10 Travel Destinations for 2024"

• "How to Bake Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies"

• "Beginner Guitar Lessons: First 3 Chords"

• "DIY Home Decor Ideas on a Budget"

• "Effective Study Tips for Final Exams"

By keeping your titles short and sweet, you ensure they are fully visible, engaging, and packed with relevant information, which helps attract more viewers and encourages them to click on your video.

Use Numbers and Lists

Listicles and numbered titles have a strong appeal because they promise clear, structured information that’s easy to digest. Viewers are often drawn to these titles as they suggest a quick, organised way to get valuable insights. Numbers naturally catch the eye and can make your content appear more approachable and less time-consuming.

To incorporate numbers naturally, focus on the key points or steps you plan to cover in your video. Make sure the numbers accurately reflect the content to maintain trust with your audience. Position the number at the beginning of the title to grab attention right away.

Here are some examples of effective numbered titles:

• "7 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills"
• "5 Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners"
• "10 Must-Read Books for Personal Growth"
• "3 Common Mistakes New Runners Make"
• "12 Ways to Boost Your Productivity at Work"

Using numbers in your titles can enhance their clarity and attractiveness, helping to draw in viewers who are looking for specific, actionable information.

Create a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency in your titles can compel viewers to click on your videos immediately. Techniques to convey urgency include using time-sensitive words and phrases like "now," "today," "limited time," or "don't miss out". These phrases can make viewers feel that they need to watch the video right away to avoid missing important information or opportunities.

The psychological impact of urgency is significant. It taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO), driving viewers to take immediate action. When people feel that something is available for a limited time or that they need to act quickly, they are more likely to prioritise watching your video over others.

Here are some examples of urgent titles that drive immediate action:

• "Act Now: 5 Ways to Save on Your Electricity Bill Today"
• "Limited Time Offer: Best Tech Deals You Can't Miss Today"
• "Watch This Before You’re Already Late: Fashion Tips for 2024"
• "Don't Miss Out: Top Investment Opportunities Right Now"
• "Urgent: Important Update on [Current Event]"

By incorporating a sense of urgency into your titles, you can motivate viewers to click and engage with your content right away, increasing your video's immediate impact and viewership.

Testing and Iterating on Titles

A/B testing your video titles is crucial for understanding what resonates best with your audience. By comparing two different titles for the same video, you can gather data on which one performs better in terms of clicks, views, and engagement. This process helps you refine your titling strategy and improve your overall video performance.

Even big brands like MrBeast and the Diary of a CEO swear by A/B testing their video titles and thumbnails to ensure the best coverage. For instance, testing might reveal that "5 Tips to Boost Your SEO" performs better than "Improve Your SEO," leading you to adopt more specific and structured titles.

By continuously testing and iterating on your titles, you can discover the most effective strategies for attracting and engaging your audience, ensuring that your videos reach their full potential.

20 Examples for Great Realistic YouTube Titles

Next let’s go through some great YouTube title examples. This is an excellent way to get inspired and help you understand how to use the tactics you just learned like using power words for YouTube titles. To bring in an extra spin, we wanted to make sure these are also realistic. Not everyone can organise a “$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!” even if it would be a great title.

1. “What's New In Social Media Marketing Right Now?”
2. “3 Things That Make You Look Instantly More Stylish”
3. “Honest [product name] Review!”
4. “Rating the Worst Social Media Tips I’ve Gotten”
5. “8 New [Popular Product]] Features You Should Know About!”
6. “Top 5 Travel Destinations On My Bucket List”
7. “5 Surprisingly Productive Things to Do Instead Of Doomscrolling”
8. "12 Ways to Boost Your Productivity at Work"
9. “Beginners Guide to Effective Time Management”
10. “I Tried All the AI Language Learning Apps”
11. “Fast and Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights”
12. "Limited Time Offer: Best Tech Deals You Can't Miss Today"
13. “Astonishing Facts About the Universe You Didn't Know”
14. “Surprising New Technique for Learning a New Language”
15. "Effective Study Tips for Final Exams"
16. “Top 5 Books That Changed My Life”
17. “Effortless Ways to Save Money Every Month”
18. "7 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills"
19. "Must-See Quote Highlights from the Latest [Event Name]"
20. "How to Bake Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies"

Conclusion

In this blog post, we covered the essentials of crafting effective YouTube titles. We discussed the importance of great titles for search rankings and viewer engagement, the need to understand your audience, and the power of using keywords, brevity, numbers, and urgency. Additionally, we highlighted the benefits of A/B testing to refine your titling strategy.

Remember, creating the best titles for your videos is both an art and a science. Experiment with different strategies, and don't hesitate to test and iterate to find what works best for your content and audience.

To streamline this process and get top-notch title recommendations, try Maekersuite. Our Exploration reports provide tailored suggestions to help you optimise your video titles and maximise your reach. Happy titling!