Top 10 Tips for Writing YouTube Titles That Get Views
Creating compelling YouTube titles is both an art and a science. With millions of videos competing for attention, your title needs to stand out while accurately representing your content. Here are our top 10 tips for writing YouTube titles that get clicks and views.
1. Put Your Keyword First
YouTube's algorithm places more weight on the words at the beginning of your title. Place your primary keyword as close to the start as possible to improve your search ranking.
2. Keep It Between 50-60 Characters
Titles longer than 60 characters get truncated in search results. Keep your titles concise and impactful to ensure viewers see your complete message.
3. Use Power Words
Incorporate emotional triggers and power words like "Ultimate," "Secret," "Proven," "Shocking," or "Amazing" to capture attention and evoke curiosity.
4. Create a Sense of Urgency
Words like "Now," "Today," or "Quick" create urgency that encourages immediate clicks. For example: "Learn Python TODAY - Quick Start Guide".
5. Include Numbers
Numbered lists perform well because they promise specific, organized content. "5 Ways to..." or "10 Tips for..." formats set clear expectations.
6. Ask a Question
Questions pique curiosity and engage viewers directly. "Are You Making These YouTube Mistakes?" invites clicks from those seeking answers.
7. Use Brackets for Context
Adding [2023], [Tutorial], [Interview], or [4K] in brackets provides additional context that can increase click-through rates by up to 38% according to some studies.
8. Test Different Title Formulas
Experiment with different title structures: How-to guides, problem/solution formats, versus comparisons, and secrets/revelations all work well in different niches.
9. Analyze Your Competitors
Study successful videos in your niche. What title patterns do you notice? Use our YouTube Title Generator to get inspiration based on what's working for others.
10. A/B Test Your Titles
Use YouTube's built-in A/B testing feature or create similar content with different titles to see what resonates best with your audience.
Conclusion
Great YouTube titles balance creativity with strategic keyword placement. They attract clicks while accurately representing your content to maintain viewer trust. Remember that even the best title won't save poor content, but excellent content with a weak title may never get discovered.
Need inspiration? Try our AI YouTube Title Generator to create engaging titles in seconds!