15 Catchy Headlines You’ll Never Forget

One of the most difficult things a writer encounters is to write a headline. It may take you a while to formulate the perfect headline. But you remember there are tools to evaluate the possibly catchy headline you created. Even then, it might not be the headline you envisioned, but that’s alright. Another thing you can do in creating catchy headlines is to check out the standouts. Luckily, you have many posts to check out and find inspiration from.

So, in this article, we picked 15 from the many catchy examples of headlines on the internet. 

1. INC: Coffee and Chocolate Make You Smarter, According to the Latest Neuroscience

Coffee and chocolate lovers are probably rejoicing upon reading this headline. According to Buzzsumo, this is one of the most shared articles by INC. What makes the headline catchy is it gives people that assurance that consuming chocolate or coffee would make them smarter.

2. FORBES: Viral App FaceApp Now Owns Access To More Than 150 Million People’s Faces And Names

Here’s one of the most serious yet catchy headlines on the list. It can evoke dread because FaceApp has people’s data and it could spell trouble. The number on the headline would definitely capture one’s attention because wow, there’s over 150 million people’s faces and names involved.

Data is one good example to add to a headline because numbers may increase the viewing rate. Plus, it’s something people can share with others too.

3. COPYBLOGGER: Fix This Writing Mistake to Engage Readers with the Right Challenges

One of the most catchy headlines you can write is to provide a solution to the reader. Copyblogger is teasing you with a solution that could help you become a better writer. They also want to provide you with advice on how you can capture your audience’s attention. In that sense, they’re establishing themselves as an authority so more readers can view their blog.

4. BUFFER: If Likes No Longer Matter on Social Media, Then What Does?

Instagram announced in 2019 that it will no longer show likes on Instagram posts. Many influencers showed their support for this move on the platform. One reason stood out against many, which was positively affecting mental health. For some, the number of likes can give them a sense of achievement, for some others, it can make them sad.

When you read the article, Kevan Lee notes that likes shouldn’t be the primary analytic or metric. Other metrics like watch time or engagement rate would hold more weight than a couple or a thousand likes.

The headline is in the form of a question, which gives you a reason to click on the article. It’s enough to make you wonder what the blog post is all about.

5. WIRED: Your Simple (Yes, Simple) Guide To Quantum Entanglement

For those who are secretly nerds, this catchy headline may capture their attention. When you read ‘Quantum Entanglement’ it seems like a very complex and difficult topic. What Quanta Magazine and Wired did was to simplify the explanation of Quantum Entanglement. At least for those who are still learning about the topic.

In the article, you’ll find they have graphics and equations to help you out. For those who have no interest in science whatsoever, it can lead them to close the page or not even bother with the headline.

6. BECOMING MINIMALIST: 8 Reasons Successful People Are Choosing to Wear the Same Thing Every Day

Many people on the internet noticed that Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, wore the same thing every day. What Becoming Minimalist did was to create a list of reasons as to why successful people like Steve Jobs do wear the same clothes every day.

It’s a great way to inform readers of a fact that most won’t recall, but it’s enough to entice a reader to click. That way, they’ll learn why successful people don’t worry too much about what they wear.

7. PROBLOGGER: How to Quit Your Job, Move to Paradise and Get Paid to Change the World

The headline from Problogger is a mouthful but it’s effective because it makes you wonder. How do you get paid to change the world when you quit your job?

It’s a very intriguing headline and it really makes you wonder what you might do in that situation. Just so you know, the author of the blog post said he moved to Mexico and just wrote. It seems he’s living the dream.

8. BUZZFEED: 18 Things Millennials Grew Up With That Today’s Kids Apparently Have No Idea About

Buzzfeed is notorious for crafting headlines that are clickbait. Some of their blog posts can become catchy examples of headlines (until they change the headline to become more clickbait than before). Writers may learn a thing or two from Buzzfeed on how to write catchy headlines.

Buzzfeed seems to lean towards a Millennial and Gen Z readership base for this article. It’s a good headline because it may allow a Gen Z-er to click on the headline and learn about what struggles they may have not faced or devices they may have not experienced. It can give them a sense of how Millennials transitioned from traditional devices and norms to digital ones.

9. MARK MANSON: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***

The headline itself is enough to warrant a click, especially for those who do give an F about many things they shouldn’t. 

What makes this headline catchy is the swear word. It’s not common to find swear words in a headline, but it can grab someone’s attention or catch them off guard if they’re scrolling on their phone or a laptop. You’re then left wondering how not to give a f*** about things.

10. LIFEHACKER: The Dishes You Should Avoid at Chain Restaurants, According to the People Who Work There

One of the best types of headlines you can write is to indicate you’re using a valid source or have first-hand experience. In this case, Lifehacker reached out to those who had knowledge about what not to eat in restaurants.

It may hurt the company’s reputation, but it could save people time from ordering dishes that would disappoint them. After all, it’s fun to know best kept dirty secrets sometimes.

11. INDEPENDENT: Intelligent people tend to be messy, stay awake longer, and swear more 

This catchy news headline from Independent will make one person think. If all the qualities listed on the headline relate to them, then they will feel intelligent. Or at least feel like they might be.

It’s an effective headline because you want to know more why these people have these traits. And if you identify with all those traits, you would think about what the reasoning was behind it.

12. THRILLIST: 20 Overlooked Countries Not Enough Americans Visit

Most blogs would talk about which places to visit or what places to tick off your bucket list this year. However, Thrillist published a post highlighting the places where not a lot of tourists go to. 

It’s one of the most catchy headlines because it piques interest and intrigue. It makes one person wonder, what other countries are there to visit that might be Instagram-worthy.

13. ELITE DAILY: Easy Makeup Looks Without Brushes That Are Actually Stunning AF

The article is one of the most read articles on Elite Daily in 2017. For those familiar with the almost sacred process of applying make-up, they know that some take ages to apply it.

For those who don’t follow a make-up ritual and just want to get out of the house without looking like a mess, this headline is perfect for them. The word ‘easy’ is an attention-grabbing adjective. Plus, the word ‘without brushes’ takes out any other make-up steps that most people want to skip.

14. MOZ: The 60 Best Free SEO Tools [100% Free]

You’ll know this catchy headline from Moz would get clicks because of the word free. 

Free is a common power word to attract readers because well people want free things. Not only that, but Moz provided 60 types of SEO tools for every marketer. So, at least every marketer has different options for tools that would suit their business. It’s one of the most catchy headline examples in this list.

15. CNET: Baby Yoda has an important safety message for you, drivers

Baby Yoda (named The Child in the series) was a craze in 2019. The small, cute, green creature captured the hearts of many when The Mandalorian was launched on Disney+, the streaming service. Baby Yoda then became a sensation, which led to him being the subject of numerous memes.

CNet reported that the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) used Baby Yoda as their way to keep their drivers safe on the road. It’s also a great public service announcement for the MDOT because Baby Yoda was relevant at the time they posted the memes and the light sign. 

CNet provided an example of a catchy headline because any driver who likes Baby Yoda will click on the article. Then, when they read it, they’ll see how Baby Yoda could promote safety on the road thanks to the MDOT.

Key Takeaways

You’ll see many catchy examples of headlines on the internet. Most of them are clickbait, while some others will pique your interest. It can take time for you to find the perfect formula. Remember, in creating your headline, make sure that you have the reader’s interest. That way, they can click on your article and not just look at your headline in passing.