4. As discussed in class, why do you feel Headlines are so important in web content? Please provide me with another headline you clicked on recently (submit the exact headline including a screenshot) and outline in detail why you clicked it. In question #2, I asked why it resonated with you. For this question, I am asking why you actually clicked on it. This cannot be the same headline as question #2 (8 Marks)
The headlines in web content play a role like that of a newspaper article or a book title. That is the first contact point between the content and possible readers. The headline can stand between the readers’ content zooming to visibility or dropping into obscurity because most digital articles are drowning among countless others, competing for attention.
From our class discussions, it’s clear that headlines must accomplish several tasks simultaneously. They need to capture the essence of the content in an immediate and compelling way. A headline only has a few seconds to make an impact, and within those few seconds, it has to persuade enough to capture the reader’s interest enough to click through and read more. This is to make a solid first impression during an introduction, which sets the stage for further interaction.
Furthermore, headlines have evolved beyond their traditional role due to the rise of social media and search engines. Some of these have now become a must-use tool for discoverability through SEO. Comparatively, search engines give an easy run to the headlines, considering them the most telling of the relevance of the content.
That said, a good headline will also gently merge keywords into it after what the target audience will most likely be searching for online.
Besides, it will also promise a great benefit or solution to the reader, such as information, answers, or even entertainment. It is from that very promise that the reader, speaking, is baited like a fish to a well-placed trap. However, this goes further; it has to do with setting up some relationship with the reader that would suggest that the content is interesting, so they are attracted and may represent the story accurately. It’s a delicate balance to strike, but when done right, a headline can lift web content from being read to being remembered and shared.
The headline from BuzzFeed, “You May Want To Save These 19 Street Smart Tips For The Next Time You Leave The House,” is so clear for a thousand good reasons that I found myself compelled to click. First and foremost, an instant feeling of needing to follow through on something was instigated by the headline. The statement that the following piece of information is important gives a warning to the reader. The phrase “You May Want to Remember” confirms that the information to be outlined thereafter is not only useful but also very important.
Another hook was putting a specific number into the headline, such as “19.” I clicked the link as there are 19 ways I should follow.
The subheading “Street Smart Tips” almost gives one the look that real, usable knowledge is within. It actually reveals that the contents follow are going to increase my understanding of safety and how to do general things beneficially both in the application and of value to all. Such practical advice is ever-popular for almost instant applications and generally serves to help improve the day-to-day life of the reader.
“The Next Time You Leave Your House” adds on to the urgency that the piece of advice is being brought right down to the ordinary daily activity that we all normally do: leaving the house. This sort of direct attachment to ordinary actions gives the impression the advice will have to be pertinent and on time enough to influence my very next outing.
Overall, the headline did work to appeal to my attention in that it reassured me that the quick, pragmatic wisdom about dealing with life’s curveballs could readily be put into practice in my day-to-day life. I clicked on it since the combined list of advices to act upon, which directly applied to my routine and some fear from missing important tips.