How to make a clickbait YouTube video title

How to Title YouTube Videos That People Will Click [+ Pattern for Your Content Type]

Verified by 3 experts

Viewers can find your video in two ways: through search or YouTube recommendations. In both cases, the title quality matters — viewers will discover it using keywords, or YouTube will scan the title and recommend it to users interested in similar content.

We can briefly summarize what makes a good title: it includes keywords, is relatable, emotional, and catchy, promotes value, and sparks curiosity. But without examples, this advice doesn’t mean much.

So, we’ve divided this tutorial into two parts. The first is a list of best practices for creating a title. The second part is devoted to the content types (you’ll find yours there) and the titles examples that work well for them. Let’s jump into how to name YouTube videos!

Best YouTube Titles: General Rules

No matter the topic or purpose of your video, there are a few universal rules for crafting a strong title. They are based on classic marketing techniques designed to sell a product or service. After all, that’s what a good title does ― it sells the video to your viewer.

1. Use keywords

Your video title should clearly reflect its content. Yes, the title can be creative, funny, or serious, but it should always include a few relevant keywords. This helps YouTube show your video in search results and recommend it to the right audience.

Where to look for keywords?

First, use common sense. What obvious terms would someone search for? If you’re filming a story about how you taught your dog basic commands, use words like “dog,” “training,” or “command”. Avoid vague titles like “He finally did it.”

Another way is to try typing your keywords into a YouTube or Google search engine — we promise you’ll find many topics that reveal your audience’s real needs.

How to find keywords in YouTube

Finally, you can use specialized tools to find keywords. The screenshot below is from Serpstat. It shows related words, search questions, and search suggestions. Great for collecting ideas!

Serpstat website dashboard

2. Understand the purpose of your title

Better yet, think about your video purpose. Are you trying to educate, entertain, or inspire? Your title should match the purpose of your content. You don’t want to mislead the user’s expectations, do you?

Here are two examples of videos about vegan lasagna. One indicates that the video contains a recipe for the dish. The other is entertaining content that plays on stereotypes about Italians being protective of their cuisine. Feel the difference?

Informative YouTube Tittle
Entertaining YouTube Tittle

3. Understand your audience

The tone of your title can vary depending on the audience you’re targeting and your personal style. Notice how the first headline sets you up for an energetic flow of information, while the other prepares you for a more relaxed conversation.

Energetic YouTube Title Example
Relaxing Title For a Video

How long should a YouTube title be?

The general rule is to aim for headlines 50–70 characters long to ensure they don’t get cut off on desktop or mobile. We know that writing a short, interesting headline is not easy. But a little practice will help. Or you can use the cheat code and turn to AI for inspiration — titles #2, #4, and #7 look really cool!

ChatGPT for video title generation

But here comes another trick. Yes, after the 70 characters, your title will be cut off and not visible to the viewer. But YouTube will see it and use it for search! So, if you add a relevant keyword or question after the 70-character title, it can benefit your statistics. For example, “Top 10 stunning places to visit in Prague during the romantic weekend | What restaurants to visit in Prague.” Test such titles for your content!

4. Spark curiosity

There are classic topics that have been covered in many videos. Even if yours adds valuable information, you need to stand out. Try introducing controversial ideas, debunking common myths, or presenting the same old topic from a new point of view.

Conversational title example

5. Use numbers and lists

This trick is as old as time, but it still works and creates YouTube titles that get views! You can use numbers to emphasize the simplicity of the solution:Sew in 10 Minutes 💥Only with 145×140 cm Fabric 💥Easiest Dress Cutting and Sewing.” Or they can highlight the variety of options available: “50 HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS!

6. Incorporate Power Words

Some people think of these words as clickbait or low-quality, but the truth is that they still work. When appropriate, include words like:

  • Guaranteed
  • Risk-free
  • Proven
  • Trusted by [X customers]
  • Exclusive
  • Affordable
  • Best-selling
  • Secret
  • Hidden
  • Revealed
  • Discover
  • Unlock
  • Revolutionary
  • Transformative

But remember — don’t mislead your audience. If you call something transformative, it should genuinely be transformative.

Tip

Did you know that audiences actually enjoy failure stories? So, don’t focus your power words on pure positivity. You can try titles like “Discover how I bought best-selling stocks and lost $20,000.”

If you’re unsure about the quality of your title, you can use special tools to check it. However, don’t rush to follow every piece of advice it offers, as it may overload the title with too many “useful” words and recommendations.

HeadLine studio main page

7. Use Questions

Questions are great for engaging your audience in a conversation and encouraging them to seek an answer.

Question Title for a Video

8. Match the thumbnail

Remember that your title works hand-in-hand with your thumbnail. Use the thumbnail to complement the title, whether by continuing the idea, expanding it, or adding a fun fact.

Matching the Thumbnail with the Video Title

YouTube Video Title Ideas Based on Content Type

We’ve talked about general title recommendations. Now, let’s discuss how to name YouTube videos based on your content type.

1. Tutorials, product reviews, explainer videos

Tutorial Video Titles

These videos typically provide clear answers and instructions to users’ questions, so your goal is to rank higher in search results.

Your solution: SEO titles

Common Pattern Title examples
How to [Solve a Problem] How to Fix an iPhone That Won’t Turn On
Best [Product/Service] for [Use Case] Best Video Editing Apps for Beginners in 2025
[Number] Ways to [Achieve a Goal] 10 Ways to Save Battery Life on Your MacBook
How to [Achieve a Goal] in [Timeframe] How to Write a Script in 10 Minutes
How I [Solved a Problem] and [Outcome] How I Fixed My MacBook and Saved $300
[Step-by-Step] to [Do Something] Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Website

2. Challenges, reaction videos, controversial topics

Controversial Topic Title

Videos in this format should encourage, impress, shock, and create a “no way!” effect.

Your solution: Engaging titles

Common Pattern Title examples
You Won’t Believe [Something Shocking] You Won’t Believe What Happens When You Microwave This!
The Truth About [Topic] The Truth About MacBook Repairs Apple Doesn’t Want You to Know
I Tried [Challenge], and Here’s What Happened I Tried Waking Up at 4 AM for a Month, and Here’s What Happened
What Happens If You [Do Something Extreme]? What Happens If You Never Restart Your Computer?
I [Attempted a Challenge], and Here’s What I Learned I Tried Intermittent Fasting for 30 Days and Want to Share My Thoughts

3. Tutorials, explainers, guides for beginners

Tutorial Video Title Idea

Your goal is to showcase your expertise, highlight the benefits the user will get, and reassure them that your tutorial won’t require too much effort.

Your solution: Instructional and educational titles

Common Pattern Title examples
Everything You Need to Know About [Topic] Everything You Need to Know About macOS Sequoia
Beginner’s Guide to [Skill/Topic] Beginner’s Guide to Using Homebrew on Mac
Why [Phenomenon Happens] and How to Fix It Why Your iPhone Overheats and How to Fix It

4. Vlogs title crafting, personal reflections, and lessons learned

Idea for a title for a vlog video

Typically, these videos are intended to connect with the viewer, share a common experience, or discuss an interesting topic.

Your solution: Storytelling and relatable titles

Common Pattern Title examples
My Journey to [Goal] My Journey to Learning Swift in 30 Days
The Most Embarrassing Thing That Happened to Me How I Accidentally Deleted All My Wedding Photos
What I Learned From [Experience] What I Learned From Doing Meditation for 10 Years
The Story of [A Person/Event] The Story of How Apple Was Founded
How I [Overcame a Challenge/Accomplished a Goal] How I Quit Social Media and Found Balance
Why I [Made a Major Decision] Why I Sold My iPhone After 10 Years

5. Entertainment, fun experiments, mystery videos, puzzles

Video title for funny videos

These are videos that people want to watch just for fun.

Your solution: Curiosity-driven titles

Common Pattern Title examples
What Happens When You [Do Something Unusual] What Happens When You Drop an iPhone in Lava?
The [Adjective] Story of [Something Unexpected] The Bizarre Story of How Steve Jobs Named Apple
Can You Solve This [Puzzle/Challenge]? Can You Solve This Impossible Riddle?
Can You [Do Something Challenging]? Can You Run 10 Miles a Day for a Month?
[Shocking/Unbelievable Claim] This $1 Gadget Outperforms a $1,000 MacBook Accessory!

6. News reactions, event recaps, tech unboxing

Reaction video title

Your goal here is to follow trends and news and present them in a way that is interesting to watch.

Your solution: Trending and topical titles

Common Pattern Title examples
[Product/Topic] Review – Is It Worth It? iPhone 15 Pro Review – Is It Worth the Hype?
[Trending Event/Topic]: What You Need to Know WWDC 2025: What Apple Announced
Reacting to [Trending Video/Event] Reacting to the New MacBook Announcement
Breaking: [News Topic] – What It Means for [Audience/Industry] Breaking: Apple Acquires New AI Company – What It Means for Developers
[Event/News] Just Happened – Here’s My Take Olympic Winners 2024 – Here’s My Reaction
The Truth About [News Headline] The Truth About AIDS Treatment | 2025
[Controversial News] – My Honest Reaction USB-C Replacing Lightning on iPhones – My Honest Reaction
[Number] Things You Need to Know About [News] 5 Things You Need to Know About Brexit
[Big Event] – Winners, Losers, and Surprises CES 2025 – Winners, Losers, and Biggest Surprises
Why [Event/News] Is a Game-Changer for [Audience] Why Apple’s Vision Pro Is a Game-Changer for Content Creators

7. Buyer’s guides, reviews, tech comparisons

Video Title Ideas for a Review on YouTube

Your goal here is to help people make decisions.

Your solution: Comparative titles

Common Pattern Title examples
[Option A] vs. [Option B]: Which Is Better? MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which Should You Buy?
Top [Number] Alternatives to [Popular Product] Top 5 Alternatives to the iPhone 15
Is [Product/Service] Really Better Than [Competitor]? Is Spotify Really Better Than YouTube Music?
[Option A] vs. [Option B]: Which Is Better for [Audience/Use Case]? MacBook vs. Windows Laptop: Which Is Better for Students?
Why I Switched from [Old Thing] to [New Thing] Why I Switched from Gmail to Outlook

8. Motivational talks, personal development, success stories

Personal Development Video Title Idea

Here, you motivate viewers and create an emotional connection.

Your solution: Inspirational titles

Common Pattern Title examples
How [Person/Idea] Changed My Life How Switching to a MacBook Changed My Productivity
Why I Finally [Achieved Something] Why I Finally Quit My Job and Started Freelancing
The Secret to [Success/Goal] The Secret to Mastering Time Management
Why [A Small Change] Makes a Big Difference Why Using Keyboard Shortcuts Changed My Workflow
The Secret to [Success/Goal] The Secret to Staying Organized

How to Name YouTube Videos: Final Thoughts

Of course, putting effort into crafting a great title for your YouTube video is important. But that’s not the whole story. Take a look at the videos in your recommendations. You’ll notice that some titles are poorly written, others are just quotes from interviews with no keywords, and some are over-the-top with all caps like “WOW, EVERYONE SHOULD TRY THIS!”

YouTube’s algorithms can be unpredictable, and viewers’ recommendations often include unexpected videos based on their past searches. So, aim to create sound, engaging headlines but don’t obsess over them. Your content quality, the topics you cover, and your charisma are crucial for attracting and keeping your audience.

FAQ

How to make good titles for YouTube videos?

To create a good title for YouTube, keep it clear and concise. Include keywords related to the topic of the video. Create interest and intrigue whenever possible, but don’t mislead the viewers. Additionally, you can use numbers, capitalize words you want to emphasize, or use emojis sparingly.

What are the best words to use in YouTube title?

Action words (Explore, Watch, Improve) work well in YouTube titles, as do curiosity and emotional triggers (How, Why, Hidden, Finally, Life-changing). If you feel the balance between catchy and clickbait, power words like Best, Secret, or Proven can be useful. To emphasize the benefits of the video, use words like Step-by-Step, Beginner’s Guide, Must-See, Explained, etc.

How to tell if a YouTube title is good?

A good title is clear, searchable, accurate, concise, and appealing. There are also tools to analyze your title and give you recommendations on how to improve it.

How to find a title for a YouTube video?

To come up with a title for a YouTube video, identify its main idea (e.g., “recipe”), keyword (“Caesar recipe”), and value (“in 5 minutes,” “meatless”). With these ideas in mind, create a title. You can add power words (“the best I’ve ever tried”) and emotional triggers (“as delicious as in a restaurant”). Alternatively, try using a headline generator.

How to viral a YouTube title?

To make a YouTube title go viral, tap into emotions and address common issues or trends your audience cares about. You can check Google Trends to find growing trends and topics your viewers might be interested in.

How do I make a title?

State the main idea clearly and concisely in the title using keywords (“how to decorate a Christmas tree”). Add appealing elements (“just like in a Christmas movie”), benefits (“for $15 or less”), and numbers (“7 tips”). Don’t use all tips at once; choose the most appropriate one for your situation.

What are good names for a channel?

A good name reflects the content, is original, and uses humor and wordplay. Remember that in addition to the name, you also have room for a short description to give more context to the original title. Here are some examples: MotivationHub, Katy Travels, Crypto Tips.

How to viral YouTube shorts?

Keep your YouTube shorts between 15–30 seconds and try to grab viewers’ attention focus in the first few seconds. Use catchy music and focus on trending topics, such as challenges, memes, and popular trends. When learning how to title YouTube shorts, explore the titles of popular shorts and TikTok videos for inspiration.

How do you title a daily vlog?

The good title of a daily vlog should reflect an event or topic that might be interesting to the viewer. You can highlight the main event of the day (“How I failed to learn to ski”), be relatable (“My day as a designer”), show benefits (“5 things I do every morning to stay active”), or add emotion (“The most stressful day of my life”).

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