When it comes to creating headlines for your blog posts, it’s important to find the right balance between providing enough information and keeping it concise. While longer headlines may seem like they provide more details, they can actually be detrimental to both human readers and search engine robots. In this article, we will discuss why you should avoid long headlines for your blog and provide tips on how to shorten them effectively.

The Optimal Length for Headlines

Research has shown that the most-read words from headlines are the first three and last three. This means that the first and last six words of your headline are crucial in capturing the attention of your readers. Therefore, it’s no surprise that six words is considered an optimal length for headlines.

However, it’s not just human readers who prefer shorter headlines. Search engine robots also tend to favor shorter headlines. This is because Google, for example, typically shows around 55 characters in its search engine results pages (SERPs). Headlines that are around 55 characters tend to receive the most click-throughs, as they are fully displayed in the search results.

Shortening Headlines to Fit All the Information

So, how can you shorten your headlines to fit all the necessary information? Here are some tips:

1. Focus on the main point: Identify the key message or main point of your blog post and make sure it is included in the headline. Remove any unnecessary words or phrases that do not contribute to the main idea.
2. Use concise language: Choose words that are clear and concise. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives or adverbs that add little value to the headline.
3. Avoid repetition: If a word or phrase is already mentioned in the headline, there is no need to repeat it. This will help you save space and make the headline more concise.
4. Consider using numbers or symbols: Numbers and symbols can be effective in grabbing attention and conveying information in a shorter format. For example, instead of saying “Ways to Improve Your Productivity,” you could say “10 Tips for Boosting Productivity.”
5. Experiment with different word orders: Rearranging the order of words in your headline can sometimes help you save space without losing the meaning. Play around with different word orders to see what works best.

Which Words Can You Delete?

When shortening your headlines, it’s important to identify which words can be deleted without compromising the meaning. Here are some examples of words that can often be removed:

• Articles: Words like “a,” “an,” and “the” can often be omitted without changing the overall meaning of the headline.
• Pronouns: Pronouns like “you,” “your,” and “we” can sometimes be removed if they are not essential to the main point of the headline.
• Conjunctions: Words like “and,” “but,” and “or” can often be eliminated without affecting the clarity of the headline.
• Prepositions: Prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “for” can sometimes be removed if they are not necessary for understanding the main idea.

Remember, the goal is to create a headline that is both concise and informative. By removing unnecessary words and focusing on the main point, you can create a headline that captures the attention of your readers and search engine robots alike.

In conclusion, it’s important to avoid long headlines for your blog posts. The optimal length for headlines is around six words, as this captures the attention of readers and search engine robots. By following the tips provided and identifying which words can be deleted, you can create concise and effective headlines that convey all the necessary information. So, start shortening your headlines today and see the impact it can have on your blog!