Headlines shouldn't summarize articles ^78%

The Headline Conundrum: Why Summarizing Articles is a Recipe for Disaster

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your social media feeds, only to be met with yet another article that promises the world but delivers little? The headlines scream at us, touting "BREAKING NEWS!" and "YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS!", but when we dive into the actual content, it's often a letdown. But why do headlines have to be so misleading?

The Problem of Over-Promising

The root of this issue lies in the way we write headlines. We're conditioned to believe that our headlines need to summarize the entire article in just a few words or phrases. But this approach is flawed from the start.

• A headline that summarizes an article can create unrealistic expectations.
• It often leads readers to skim the content, hoping to find something more substantial.
• Summarizing an article in a headline can make it sound like there's more depth and analysis than actually exists.

The Goal of a Headline

So, what should we aim for with our headlines? Our goal should be to entice readers into clicking on the article, not to summarize its contents. A good headline should be attention-grabbing, yet also provide a hint of what's to come.

• Be creative and use action verbs.
• Make it concise and scannable.
• Use keywords that will resonate with your target audience.

The Benefits of a Non-Summarizing Headline

By abandoning the practice of summarizing articles in our headlines, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. We can write headlines that:

• Encourage readers to engage more deeply with the content
• Allow for a more nuanced exploration of the topic
• Create a sense of anticipation and curiosity

Conclusion

The next time you're writing a headline, remember that its purpose is not to summarize an article but to entice readers into diving in. By abandoning the practice of over-promising and instead focusing on creating attention-grabbing headlines, we can build trust with our audience and create content that truly resonates.

In short, headlines shouldn't summarize articles – they should tantalize, intrigue, and invite us to explore further.