What Is a Headline? Meaning, Examples & How to Write One

Headlines are everything. They’re one of, if not arguably, the most important parts of your writing. 

Without it, whatever you’re writing will likely not be read.

It sets the tone of the rest of your work and highlights what’s in it for your audience—essentially, a chance to grab the world’s attention.

In a nutshell, it should answer two questions: what is it, and why should I care?

There’s an art and science when it comes to writing headlines.

Whether you’re writing a blog post, a YouTube video title, or ad copy, the process will differ.

But they all share one goal—to make you stop scrolling and pay attention. 

In this guide, we’ll learn everything you need to know about headlines, from their fundamental purpose to specific strategies for different contexts.

You’ll learn step-by-step techniques for crafting headlines that not only catch the eye but also drive the actions you want. 

What Is a Headline?

A headline is a concise, attention-grabbing phrase that introduces content and communicates its core message.

It’s the title that sits at the top of various materials, such as articles, blog posts, advertisements, emails, social media posts, and even personal profiles or resumes.

The best headlines strike a delicate balance between informative and intriguing.

They tell readers what to expect while creating enough curiosity to encourage them to continue reading. Headlines serve as critical decision points.

In fact, research suggests that 80% of readers don’t make it past the headline.

Headlines come in many forms:

• A front-page announcement in a newspaper
• The subject line of an email
• The title of a blog post
• The main text on a billboard advertisement
• The professional summary at the top of your LinkedIn profile

While their appearance and exact function might vary, all headlines should capture attention and convey essential information in just a few words.

The Purpose of a Headline in Different Contexts

Headlines serve different goals depending on where they appear.

Understanding these distinct purposes will help you craft more effective headlines for each situation.

In journalism, headlines primarily inform.

They summarize the news story’s key facts while enticing readers to learn more.

Journalistic headlines must balance accuracy with appeal, presenting facts without misleading or sensationalizing.

For bloggers and content creators, headlines focus on engagement.

They need to stand out in crowded search results and social feeds, promising value that makes clicking worthwhile. 

Marketing headlines, meanwhile, exist to persuade.

Whether on a landing page, advertisement, or product description, these headlines aim to trigger specific actions like signing up, making a purchase, or changing a perception.

On professional platforms like LinkedIn or with resumes, headlines establish credibility.

They succinctly communicate your professional identity and value proposition to potential employers or connections.

Email subject lines function as gatekeepers.

Their primary job is to ensure your message gets opened rather than deleted or lost in a crowded inbox.

The most effective communicators understand these contextual differences and adapt their headline approach accordingly.

Types of Headlines (With Examples)

Headlines come in various formats, each designed to serve a specific purpose and audience.

The right headline type can dramatically increase engagement, while the wrong choice might leave your content ignored. 

1. News & Media Headlines

News headlines condense complex stories into digestible, attention-grabbing statements.

They emphasize timeliness and significance, often using the present tense for immediacy.

Examples:

• “Supreme Court Strikes Down Controversial Voting Law”
• “Hurricane Maria Makes Landfall, Thousands Evacuate”
• “Stock Market Soars to Record High After Fed Announcement”
• “Local School Budget Cuts Threaten Arts Programs”

Notice how these headlines provide essential information (who, what, when, where) while creating enough interest to pull readers into the full story.

2. Article & Blog Post Headlines

Blog headlines need to work harder than ever in today’s content-saturated environment.

They must promise clear value while incorporating SEO elements that help them rank in search results.

Examples:

• “7 Morning Habits That Will Transform Your Productivity [Research-Backed]”
• “How to Make Sourdough Bread: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide”
• “Why Most Diet Plans Fail (And What Actually Works)”
• “Understanding NFTs: The Complete Guide for Non-Technical People”

Effective blog headlines often incorporate numbers, “how-to” phrases, clarifying parentheticals, and power words that evoke emotion.

3. Marketing & Advertisement Headlines

Marketing headlines focus on benefits, not features.

They highlight solutions to problems and tap into emotions that drive purchase decisions.

Examples:

• “Sleep Better Tonight or Your Money Back”
• “The Lightweight Jacket That Conquered Everest”
• “Stop Wasting Time on Social Media: The App That Boosts Focus”
• “Transform Your Kitchen Without Breaking the Bank”

The best marketing headlines address specific pain points and create urgency while remaining credible and authentic.

4. Social Media Headlines

Social media headlines face unique challenges.

They must work within character limits while competing against endless other content for attention.

Examples:

• “This 30-Second Video Changed How I Think About Climate Change”
• “I Tested 5 Viral TikTok Recipes So You Don’t Have To”
• “The Thread Everyone’s Talking About 👇”
• “What No One Tells You About Starting a Business #entrepreneurlife”

Social media headlines often leverage curiosity gaps, trending topics, and emotional triggers to encourage engagement while keeping your brand’s tone of voice. 

5. Resume & LinkedIn Headlines

Professional headlines position you in the job market.

They highlight your expertise and unique value while incorporating relevant keywords.

Resume Headline Examples:

• “Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ Years in E-commerce Growth Strategies”
• “Certified Project Manager | Healthcare Industry Expert | Process Improvement”
• “Award-Winning Graphic Designer Specializing in Brand Identity”

LinkedIn Headline Examples:

• “Software Engineer Helping Startups Scale | Former Google | MIT Grad”
• “HR Director Creating Inclusive Workplaces | Speaker | DEI Advocate”
• “Freelance Content Writer Turning Complex Topics into Engaging Stories”

The best professional headlines balance credentials with personality and results.

6. Email Subject Lines as Headlines

Email subject lines determine whether your message gets opened or ignored.

They must be intriguing yet honest about the content inside.

Examples:

• “Your April Invoice + A Special Offer”
• “5 Takeaways from Yesterday’s Meeting”
• “Quick Question About the Henderson Project”
• “Last Chance: Workshop Registration Closes Today”

Effective email headlines create curiosity or urgency without resorting to misleading clickbait tactics.

How to Write an Effective Headline (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these proven steps to craft headlines that captivate your audience and drive the results you want.

Step 1: Identify Your Audience & Purpose

Every great headline begins with clarity about who you’re writing for and what you want to accomplish.

Ask yourself:

• Who specifically will be reading this headline?
• What problems or interests do they have?
• What action do I want them to take after reading?
• What tone will resonate with this particular audience?

A headline targeting busy executives will differ dramatically from one aimed at creative hobbyists.

The more precisely you can identify your reader and your goal, the more effective your headline will be.

For instance, a financial planning article might use completely different headlines depending on the audience:

• For young professionals: “Start Investing Today: The 5-Minute Guide for Your 20s”
• For pre-retirees: “Is Your Retirement Plan on Track? 3 Warning Signs to Watch For”

This initial clarity will guide all your subsequent headline decisions.

Step 2: Keep It Clear, Concise & Impactful

Brevity is the soul of a good headline. Every word must earn its place through clarity and impact.

General guidelines:

• Aim for 6-12 words for most headlines
• Front-load important information
• Cut adjectives and adverbs that don’t add substantial meaning
• Use active voice whenever possible
• Eliminate unnecessary prepositions and articles

Compare these headlines:

• Weak: “A Comprehensive and Detailed Analysis of Various Different Methods That Can Potentially Help People Learn Languages in a More Effective Way”
• Strong: “5 Language Learning Methods That Actually Work”

The second version communicates the same core promise with far greater efficiency.

Step 3: Use Power Words & Action-Oriented Phrases

Certain words consistently trigger psychological and emotional responses.

These “tone words” can dramatically increase your headline’s impact.

Categories of power words include:

• Emotion words: Stunning, heartbreaking, inspiring, infuriating
• Exclusivity words: Exclusive, limited, members-only, insider
• Urgency words: Now, today, deadline, final
• Value words: Essential, proven, guaranteed, authentic
• Curiosity words: Secret, surprising, strange, unexpected

Action verbs also energize headlines by creating movement and momentum:

• Transform your kitchen with these budget-friendly hacks
• Discover the hidden gems of Portugal’s coast
• Boost your productivity with this morning routine
• Master public speaking in just 10 minutes a day

The right power words and action verbs can make even familiar topics feel fresh and compelling.

Step 4: Optimize for SEO & Readability

For online content, your headline needs to satisfy both human readers and search algorithms.

SEO headline optimization includes:

• Incorporating your primary keyword (naturally)
• Keeping the headline under 60 characters for full display in search results
• Using numbers when appropriate (studies show numbered lists get more clicks)
• Including specific benefits or outcomes

AI Tools like Undecteable AI’s SEO Content Writer can help assess your headline’s SEO potential and emotional appeal.

However, never sacrifice clarity and authenticity for SEO.

A headline that tricks people into clicking but doesn’t deliver will damage your credibility.

Step 5: Test & Refine Your Headlines

The best headlines often emerge through iteration and testing.

Professional copywriters routinely create 10-25 headline options before selecting the final version.

Testing approaches include:

• A/B testing different headlines for ads or email campaigns
• Asking colleagues for feedback on multiple options
• Running small social media tests with different headline variations
• Using headline analyzer tools to compare potential versions

For high-stakes content, consider testing your headline with a small segment of your audience before the full launch.

Remember that headline effectiveness is contextual—what works for one audience or platform may fail for another.

Examples of Good Headlines for Different Purposes

Want more examples to inspire your own headlines? Check these out.

Best Resume Headlines

Your resume headline should instantly communicate your professional identity and unique value. Effective examples:

• “Data Scientist with 7+ Years Experience in Healthcare Analytics”
• “Results-Driven Marketing Manager | 15% Average Revenue Growth | B2B Focus”
• “Bilingual Customer Service Lead with 98% Satisfaction Rating”

Notice how these headlines combine roles, metrics, specializations, and achievements in just a few words. They give hiring managers immediate reasons to continue reading.

Best LinkedIn Headlines

LinkedIn headlines appear in search results and connection requests, making them critical for networking success.

Standout examples:

• “Frontend Developer Creating Accessible Web Experiences | Available for Freelance”
• “Helping Sustainable Brands Tell Their Story | Marketing Strategist | Former Patagonia”
• “Career Coach for Women in Tech | 500+ Professionals Placed | Speaker & Author”

The most effective LinkedIn headlines balance professionalism with personality while incorporating relevant keywords.

Best Blog Headlines

Blog headlines must compete for attention in crowded search results and social feeds.

High-performing examples:

• “I Analyzed 1,000 SaaS Websites: Here’s What’s Working in 2024”
• “How to Have Difficult Conversations: A 5-Step Framework for Managers”
• “Why Mediterranean Diets Work (It’s Not What You Think)”
• “The 15-Minute Morning Routine that Changed My Mental Health”

These headlines succeed by promising specific value, incorporating numbers or data, and creating curiosity gaps that encourage clicks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Headline

Even experienced writers make these common headline blunders:

• Overpromising and underdelivering. Nothing erodes trust faster than clickbait headlines that exaggerate what the content actually provides. Phrases like “will change your life forever” create expectations no article can meet.
• Being too clever or cryptic. While creativity has its place, headlines that prioritize wordplay over clarity often fail. If readers can’t immediately understand what you’re offering, they’ll move on.
• Ignoring the audience’s needs. Headlines that focus on features rather than benefits or that use insider jargon with general audiences miss the mark. Always write from the reader’s perspective, not your own.
• Keyword stuffing for SEO. Headlines like “Best Headline Tips for Best Headlines That Create the Best Headline Results” might target keywords, but they sound robotic and untrustworthy to human readers.
• Using AI-generated headlines without humanizing. While AI tools can generate dozens of headline options quickly, they often lack the human touch that connects emotionally. The mechanical patterns in pure AI headlines are increasingly obvious to readers.

Check the capabilities of our AI Detector and Humanizer in the widget below!

This last point is especially important in today’s content landscape.

If you’re using AI to draft headlines, tools like Undetectable AI’s AI Humanizer can help transform robotic-sounding headlines into natural, compelling ones that maintain your authentic voice.

How AI Can Help You Craft the Perfect Headline

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized headline creation, offering powerful assistance for writers in every context.

For blog and content creators, AI-powered SEO Writer tools can analyze top-performing headlines in your niche, identify trending keywords, and suggest headline structures that balance search optimization with reader appeal.

Job seekers can use our Resume Builder to generate headline options that highlight their most relevant skills and achievements for specific positions.

These tools can help identify industry-specific keywords that will pass through Applicant Tracking Systems.

For versatility across all headline types, conversational AI tools like Undetectable AI’s AI Chat can function as collaborative brainstorming partners.

Our AI Chat can generate multiple headline variations, explain why certain structures work better than others, and help refine your ideas into polished final headlines.

The key to success with AI headline tools is using them to enhance rather than replace human judgment.

The most effective approach combines AI’s analytical capabilities with your understanding of your specific audience and content.

FAQs About Headlines

The Power of a Great Headline

Headlines may be small, but their impact is mighty.

The best headlines combine clarity with intrigue and specificity with emotion.

They respect the reader’s intelligence while promising genuine value.

And while formulas and templates can provide useful starting points, truly outstanding headlines result from understanding your specific audience and purpose.

As you practice headline writing, remember that it’s both an art and a science.

Use the principles and examples in this guide as your foundation, but don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your own unique style. 

Test your headlines, gather feedback, and continuously refine your approach.

Use the plethora of tools Undetectable AI offers and combine them with your writing skills. 

With consistent practice and the right tools—whether AI-powered or traditional—you’ll soon master the art of the headline, opening doors to greater engagement, opportunities, and impact through your writing.

Remember, in a world of endless content, your headline is your handshake, so make it count.