Story Based Question
Imagine you’re running an online sports news website. Your team just published an article about a thrilling championship game. The headline reads, “Game Results for Last Night’s Match.” Despite the excitement surrounding the event, your article isn’t getting any clicks or appearing in the “Top Stories” carousel. You ask yourself, “Could the headline be the problem?” Headlines are often the deciding factor for clicks and visibility. So, how do you optimize them for success in News SEO?
Exact Answer
To optimize headlines for news articles, use clear and concise language, include relevant keywords, prioritize timeliness, and aim for emotional or action-driven wording that grabs attention.
Explanation
An optimized headline isn’t just about creativity; it’s a balance between reader appeal and search engine requirements. Search engines like Google prioritize headlines that clearly convey the article’s subject and relevance. If your headline lacks clarity or specificity, it might not rank well, no matter how engaging the article is.
Here’s what goes into a perfect news headline:
- Keywords: Incorporate terms readers are actively searching for. For instance, instead of “Game Results,” use “Championship Game: Lakers Win in Overtime.”
- Clarity: Avoid vague or overly creative phrasing. Make it easy for readers to understand what the article is about at a glance.
- Timeliness: Include time-sensitive phrases like “Breaking,” “Today,” or specific dates when appropriate.
- Character Limit: Keep it short, ideally under 60 characters, to ensure it displays well in search results.
- Action and Emotion: Use dynamic words that provoke curiosity or excitement, like “dominates,” “shocks,” or “celebrates.”
Example
Returning to your sports news article:
- Original Headline: “Game Results for Last Night’s Match”
- Optimized Headline: “Lakers Win Championship in Thrilling Overtime Game”
The optimized headline includes keywords (“Lakers,” “Championship,” “Overtime”), conveys urgency and excitement, and is concise enough to stand out on Google News.
Now, readers searching for “Lakers championship” or “overtime game results” are more likely to find and click on your article. Additionally, this optimized headline increases your chances of being featured in Google’s “Top Stories” carousel, boosting visibility.