What is a Listicle?
It’s a list-style content format that will have even the noobies of internet surfers world twitching with trauma.
You’ve likely seen them.
They are the most clickbaity, boring, and, quite frankly, disgusting-looking posts you will ever have the displeasure of seeing.
(I’m looking at you Buzzfeed…)
BUT, regardless of your opinion of the listicle, it is a great format to use when trying to get information across to your reader as clearly as possible.
As they are just so digestible from a UX point of view.
And the Google search crawlers love them for that reason, too.
While most of them suck, some (although rare) listicles have been crafted correctly, and I’ll be focusing on these significant use cases today
I will also be teaching you how to create high-quality listicles of your own so you can put your readers into a trance and get the rankings you deserve.
Here is all of what you’ll learn;
Still, have no clue what I’m talking about?
Let me enlighten you;
What is A Listicle?
Even if you’ve got to this point thinking you don’t know what they are, you probably do – unless this is your first day on the internet. Then, welcome!
But It’s simple:
A listicle is a blog post/article written in a list format.
They usually come in the form of “10 Reasons Why…”, “4 Reasons To…”, “11 Things You Need…” “6 Places to Visit In…” etc.
Used for information & comercial intent keywords.
It’s one of the most important blogging frameworks for any SEO toolkit.
Especially for SEOs obsessed with AI, these new language models are great at churning out keyword-rich listicles for dinky little microsites.
And that is not even the best part; this simple content format knows no bounds regarding the niches they use.
You could use them to compare dog collars, discuss the upcoming alt-coins you need to invest in or write a list of your favourite footballers and what they are getting up to.
The possibilities are endless.
And from a noobie writing point of view, they are a great choice if your copywriting chops aren’t quite up to par with your competitors; due to the nature of the format, you don’t need to think about content flow, by design, the content will flow naturally.
Here is an absolute classic, practically internet heritage of a listicle by (most likely) its earliest adopters, Buzz Feed:
Despite their fame, I don’t particularly rate BuzzFeed’s listicles.
However, that doesn’t mean listicles are inherently bad; they just need to be written and structured properly.
Additionally, they should show some obvious care, not just be churned out for quick content.
I can’t hate BuzzFeed too much for that aspect, though—they have quotas to meet on their site to maximise ad revenue.
Here are some reasons why you SHOULD write listicles on your blog;
3 Reasons Why Listicles Are Great For Your Blog
Ignoring my hate for bad listicles, here are some reasons why you SHOULD write listicles on your blog (when you write them properly);
1. Users Can Jump To The Content They Need
Nothing is more frustrating than searching the Internet for information you desperately need and being greeted by a wall of text.
And I bet you immediately click off the page and hope for better luck with the following result; even if that original result did have what you needed, you have absolutely zero interest in scrolling through a vast expanse of text to find it.
I’m right, aren’t I?
Well, this problem doesn’t occur with listicles, as they work like well-organised directories or tables of contents.
Users can easily navigate to the information they want as soon as they arrive on the page, especially when you add a quick link section to the top or sidebar.
They only have to read a few sentences to get the information they want, and they can be on their way – or you can guide them to the next part of the search intent funnel with some helpful links.
Your audience is going to love you for this.
Because they get to skip over the bits they don’t need.
This fast-paced “I’ve got no time” design of listicles is one of the reasons that make them great.
2. You Can Promote More Content
You can only realistically promote a few things in a product review or a regular article like this one.
You could fill your article with links, but it would look spammy, and natural links often go unnoticed.
However, in a listicle, you can discuss 20 to 30 different items at once, depending on your list’s topic.
Why is this?
Well, the nature of listicles makes it more acceptable, both to users and search engines, to include numerous links without seeming off-putting
In many cases, this is what people are coming for, especially if you’re writing any sort of review listicle.
3. Listicles Are Easy To Write
The best part, especially if you’re new to SEO and blogging as a whole, is that listicles are very easy to create. You don’t need to worry much about content flow, the quality of your writing, or even the order of the list.
Of course, you should still apply the same principles as with any content you publish online: make it genuine, bring your expertise, present a unique angle, and provide an exceptional experience.
However, you can be more flexible with content quality.
Even things like creating an outline, which can take up much of a writer’s time, are more straightforward.
For example, if you’re just reviewing the best fridges, then you just need product names, and you can take those from competitive articles whilst adding your favourites.
The hardest part is including the external links to your affiliate sites.
How to Write Listicles: A Step-by-Step Guide
Since they are so easy, here is a step-by-step guide you should follow if you want to make some for your website:
1. Choose Your Topic
Pick a subject that interests you and your audience. It could be anything from “Top 10 Travel Destinations” to “Best Gadgets for Tech Lovers.”
The key is to select a topic that is both relevant and engaging.
Think about your readers’ questions or problems and how your listicle can provide answers or solutions.
Also, make sure that writing a listicle properly satisfies the keyword intent you’re going after.
Listicles are good but not always the right choice for every keyword you’re wanting to rank for.
2. Do Your Research
Gather information from reliable sources.
Look for unique insights, expert opinions, and interesting facts that will make your listicle stand out.
Use a mix of primary sources, such as interviews or original data, and secondary sources, like articles or books, to create a well-rounded list.
I also suggest checking out the SERPs to see what’s already out there, as the top-ranking pages are essentially the best in Google’s eyes.
Logically, they must be doing something right, or they wouldn’t be on the first page.
3. Create a Catchy Title
Your title should grab attention and clearly convey what the listicle is about.
Use numbers to specify the list length, like “15 Must-Have Kitchen Tools.”
You should experiment with the numbers, too, as some are far more eye-catching than others, especially about a limited product.
A good title can make the difference between someone clicking on your article or scrolling past it; your competition are using clickbaity type (and weird) titles, and so should you.
It can really make the difference when it comes to getting the most CTR as possible.
4. Outline Your Points
Make a rough outline of the points you want to include.
This doesn’t need to be detailed; just jot down the main ideas to keep your content organised.
Know what products/points you’re going to be talking about
And most importantly, why.
If you’re creating a product review list, I recommend placing the best products at the top or bottom, where they are most likely to be seen.
An outline will help you structure your listicle logically and cover all necessary points without repetition or omission.
5. Write Your Introduction
Start with a brief introduction that hooks your readers.
Explain why the topic is important or interesting and what they can expect from the listicle.
Your introduction sets the tone for the rest of the article.
In some cases, it’s also ideal to give them a quick rundown of what will be said and a quick answer to their problems; this is good for UX and can help you get the SERP feature spot.
However, this can negatively impact your bounce rate.
6. Develop Each Point
For each item on your list, write a concise and engaging description.
Include relevant details, tips, or anecdotes.
If applicable, add images, videos, or links to enhance the content. Each point should be a mini-article in itself, providing valuable information that justifies its inclusion in the list.
7. Keep It Genuine and Informative
Bring your expertise and unique perspective to the table.
Make sure your content is helpful and provides real value to your readers.
Avoid fluff and filler; instead, focus on delivering quality information that your audience will appreciate and find useful.
8. Optimise for SEO
Use relevant keywords naturally throughout your listicle.
Include them in the title, headings, and body text.
Don’t forget to add meta descriptions and alt text for images.
SEO optimisation helps your listicle rank higher in search engine results, making it more likely to be found by readers.
This is especially important if you have a local SEO strategy in place.
9. Include Internal and External Links
Link to other relevant articles on your site to keep readers engaged.
Also, add external links to authoritative sources and your affiliate sites, if applicable.
Internal links help retain readers on your site, while external links can boost your credibility and provide additional resources for your audience.
10. Include Internal and External Links
End with a brief conclusion that summarises your points and encourages readers to take action, whether it’s sharing the listicle, leaving a comment, purchasing the product you were pushing or checking out related content.
A strong conclusion reinforces the main takeaways and gives your readers a clear next step.
Summary
A listicle is a blog post or article written in a list format, such as “10 Reasons Why…” or “6 Places to Visit In…”. Despite being seen as clickbaity, listicles effectively present information clearly and are user-friendly.
Listicles allow readers to quickly find information, making them ideal for promoting multiple products or links naturally.
They are also easier to write, especially for beginners.
Knowing what a listicle is and how to write one can boost your blog’s engagement and SEO, but only if you correctly understand SEO – optimising your listicles and anything else you create with this knowledge correctly.