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What is a Listicle?

4 min to read

A listicle is an article that is broken down into a list.

It takes information, ideas, or examples and divides them into short points or sections indicated by numbers or bullets.

This particular style is popular because users can scan and read the information within a short period, which is ideal for most internet users today.

Pro Tip:
Choose captivating and compelling action words, figures, and statistics.
Key Takeaways:
  • Even though listicles are often viewed as captivating and shareable, there is a possibility that their engagement levels differ
  • Listicles may suffice for tips or rankings while articles are preferable when more detailed aspects are covered
  • Optimize your listicles with informative titles, concise overviews, and appealing visuals to capture attention
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What is a Listicle?

What is the difference between an article and a listicle?

Despite both seeking to achieve the same goal of educating their audience, articles are mainly enriched with a comprehensive linear approach, specific paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

On the other hand, the information in a listicle is broken down into short bullet points, and this method is designed for fast understanding and not detailed study.

Deep Dive: 
• While creating an article or listicle, consider the target readers and how complex or simple the subject matter is.

• Listicles are excellent for presenting brief tips or introducing the main idea, whereas, articles are more effective when it comes to story development.

The popularity of listicles can be attributed to their:

  • Scannability:  A listicle is designed to expedite the identification of essential points for the reader.

  • Conciseness: Information broken into smaller portions is ideal for people who cannot concentrate for long.

  • Shareability: Listicles can be shared on social media platforms due to their format (concise headlines and straightforward content).

  • Versatility: Any kind of content can be presented in the form of such content – from travel tips to tech reviews.

  • SEO: Concise structure and keyword utilization help the content perform better on search engines.
Deep Dive: 
Different listicle formats should be applied to make the content look different and interesting. It could be ‘how to’ listicles or ‘best of’ lists or ‘reasons why’ or ‘myth v/s facts’.

When is it appropriate to use a listicle format?

Listicles are appropriate when:

  • Offering suggestions, concepts, or illustrations

  • Ranking or contrasting products/services

  • Explaining a procedure in steps

  • Providing data or statistics

  • When compiling a list of resources

If your objective is a more detailed analysis or a storytelling approach, an article would be more appropriate.

How long should listicles be?

Online listicles with shorter lists containing 5-10 items are usually the most captivating for the audience. However, lengthy listicles can be effective when it comes to complete overviews or lists of resources. Aim to provide useful content instead of focusing on a certain length.

Pro Tip: 
Utilize sub-headings or dividers to segment longer listicles and assist readers in sifting relevant material. This way the audience locates the relevant point of interest in the quickest possible time.

How many items should be in a listicle?

Although there are no hard and fast rules, it has been often noted that an odd number, such as five, seven, or nine is more attractive and memorable.

Pro Tip:
In some situations where there is an even number of items (such as 4,6,8 items), consider adding another tip or resource to make it odd; adding one more item to achieve an odd number as an additional item may bring value to your readers.

How can listicles lead to better traffic?

Here are 3 ways listicles can drive traffic:

  • Social shares: Because they are made for sharing, visibility increases.

  • SEO: Listicles that are optimized can be ranked better.

  • Email marketing: Turn listicles into compelling newsletters.

What are some best practices for writing effective listicles?

Practices for writing effective listicles are: 

  • Craft a catchy title: Make sure it states the point yet provokes some sort of interest.

  • Write engaging introductions: Engage the audience.

  • Keep list items concise: Each item should encompass one central theme.

  • Use strong verbs: Promote taking steps or going a step deeper.

  • Utilize visuals: When relevant, use visuals to support comprehension and appeal.
Deep Dive: 
Whenever you write a listicle, it is great to make the roundup more personal and instead of listing information present valuable content by including some of your perspectives or experiences. This is essential in developing trust with the clients.

Conclusion 

Listicles are content presentations in the form of numbered or bulleted lists. The online dynamic environment currently emphasizes briefness and ease of disseminating content, making listicles particularly relevant. Content creators’ awareness regarding listicles’ characteristics should potentially influence engagement and content goals, although individual outcomes may vary based on several factors.

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