gh-rawveg-skillsforge-marketplace-article-title-optimizer/skills/article-title-optimizer/references/title_best_practices.md

Article Title Best Practices

This reference document provides comprehensive guidance on creating effective, marketable article titles that attract readers while maintaining integrity and accuracy.

Core Principles

1. Length Guidelines

• Optimal length: 6-12 words (50-70 characters)
• Maximum for SEO: 60 characters (Google truncates beyond this in search results)
• Readability: Shorter titles are easier to scan and remember
• Social media: Twitter displays ~70 characters, so aim for this as absolute maximum

2. Title-Subtitle Format

The format <Title>: <Subtitle> provides structure and allows for both attention-grabbing and informative elements:

• Title (main): Hook the reader, create curiosity, emotional impact
• Subtitle: Clarify, provide context, set expectations
• Balance: Neither part should dominate; aim for roughly equal weight

3. Clarity vs. Curiosity Balance

• Too clear: Boring, no reason to click ("An Article About AI in Healthcare")
• Too vague: Clickbait, loses trust ("You Will Not Believe What Happened Next")
• Sweet spot: Intriguing yet informative ("The Hidden Bias in Medical AI")

MANDATORY CONSTRAINTS

ALL generated titles must comply with these three critical constraints:

1. No AI-Generated Tropes

Avoid obvious AI writing patterns, clichéd phrasing, and overused terminology that signals robotic or formulaic content:

• NEVER use: "Algorithm", "Algorithms", "Algorithmic", "Black-Box", "Black Box"
• AVOID: Predictable AI-content patterns like "The X Will See You Now", "Welcome to the Age of X", "The Rise of X", "X: A Game Changer", "X is a Game Changer"
• Why: These words and phrases have become clichéd markers of AI-generated content and reduce authenticity and reader engagement
• Instead: Use fresh, specific language that authentically describes the actual content without relying on tech-writing clichés
• Examples:
  • ❌ "The Algorithm Will See You Now"
  • ❌ "The Machine Will See You Now" (trope phrasing)
  • ❌ "Black-Box AI in Healthcare"
  • ✓ "Opaque AI in Healthcare: Why Explainability Matters Now"
  • ❌ "When Algorithms Fail Minorities"
  • ✓ "Medical AI Fails Minorities: The Data Representation Crisis"

2. No Apostrophes

Do not use apostrophes anywhere in the title for contractions or possessives:

• NEVER use: "don't", "can't", "won't", "it's", "AI's", "doctor's", "reader's", etc.
• Why: Apostrophes create visual clutter and complicate parsing
• Instead use: Full forms or rephrase to avoid possessives
• Examples:
  • ❌ "Why AI Won't Replace Doctors"
  • ✓ "Why AI Will Not Replace Doctors"
  • ❌ "The Doctor's AI Dilemma"
  • ✓ "The AI Dilemma for Doctors"
  • ❌ "It's Time to Regulate AI"
  • ✓ "The Time to Regulate AI"

3. No Question Marks in Title Segment

Question marks in the Title segment create visually awkward ?: combinations when rendered:

• NEVER use: Question marks before the colon in Title segment
• Allowed: Questions in the Subtitle segment (after the colon)
• Why: The ?: punctuation combination is visually jarring and breaks reading flow
• Instead: Use questions in Subtitle, or rephrase Title as statement
• Examples:
  • ❌ "Can AI Be Trusted?: The Bias Problem"
  • ✓ "Medical AI and Trust: Can We Fix the Bias Problem"
  • ✓ "The Trust Problem in Medical AI: Why Bias Matters"
  • ❌ "Why Do Systems Fail?: Understanding Root Causes"
  • ✓ "When Systems Fail: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It"

Validation Checklist: Before finalizing any title, verify:

• Does NOT contain "algorithm" or variants
• Does NOT contain any apostrophes
• Does NOT have question mark in Title segment (before colon)
• Follows <Title>: <Subtitle> format
• Is 10-12 words total maximum

Proven Title Formulas

Formula 1: Question Format

• "[Statement]: Why Does [Problem] Happen"
• Example: "Medical AI Fails Minorities: Why Data Representation Matters"
• Strengths: Engages reader's curiosity, promises answers
• Use when: Article explores causes or explanations
• Note: Question must be in Subtitle segment to avoid awkward ?: combination

Formula 2: Number/List Format

• "[Number] [Topic]: [Outcome/Benefit]"
• Example: "5 Hidden Biases in AI: What Every Doctor Should Know"
• Strengths: Specific, scannable, sets clear expectations
• Use when: Article has discrete points or steps

Formula 3: Contrarian/Provocative Format

• "[Common Belief] Is Wrong: [Reality]"
• Example: "AI Will Replace Radiologists Is Wrong: Here Is Why"
• Strengths: Challenges assumptions, creates cognitive dissonance
• Use when: Article debunks myths or presents unexpected findings

Formula 4: How-To Format

• "How to [Achieve Goal]: [Method/Approach]"
• Example: "How to Detect AI Bias: A Guide for Radiologists"
• Strengths: Practical, action-oriented, promises value
• Use when: Article provides actionable advice

Formula 5: The Future/Trend Format

• "The Future of [Topic]: [Key Insight]"
• Example: "The Future of Medical Diagnosis: Human-AI Partnership"
• Strengths: Forward-looking, authoritative, positions reader ahead of curve
• Use when: Article explores emerging trends or predictions

Formula 6: Problem-Solution Format

• "[Problem]: [Solution/Approach]"
• Example: "Opaque AI in Medicine: The Push for Explainability"
• Strengths: Clear value proposition, addresses reader pain points
• Use when: Article presents solutions to known problems

Formula 7: Unexpected Juxtaposition

• "[A] Meets [B]: [Outcome]"
• Example: "When AI Meets Ethics: The Healthcare Dilemma"
• Strengths: Creates intrigue through contrast
• Use when: Article explores intersection of distinct concepts

Formula 8: Emotional Hook

• "The [Emotion] Truth About [Topic]: [Insight]"
• Example: "The Uncomfortable Truth About Medical AI: Widespread Bias"
• Strengths: Emotional engagement, honesty signal
• Use when: Article addresses difficult or controversial topics

Success Criteria & Evaluation Framework

1. Clickability (Weight: 25%)

Measures: Likelihood to grab attention and generate clicks

• High: Creates curiosity gap, uses power words, specific numbers
• Medium: Informative but not particularly compelling
• Low: Generic, vague, or boring
• Power words: Hidden, Secret, Proven, Ultimate, Essential, Critical, Surprising, Shocking (use sparingly)

2. SEO Effectiveness (Weight: 20%)

Measures: Search engine optimization and discoverability

• Keyword placement: Primary keyword in first 3-5 words
• Length: 50-60 characters ideal for search results
• Natural language: Readable, not keyword-stuffed
• Search intent match: Title matches what people actually search for

3. Clarity/Informativeness (Weight: 20%)

Measures: How well title communicates article content

• High: Reader knows exactly what to expect
• Medium: General idea but some ambiguity
• Low: Vague, misleading, or confusing
• Test: Can someone unfamiliar with the topic understand the subject?

4. Emotional Impact (Weight: 15%)

Measures: Emotional resonance and engagement

• Curiosity: Creates information gap that compels reading
• Surprise: Challenges assumptions or presents unexpected angles
• Urgency: Suggests timely or critical information
• Relevance: Connects to reader's concerns or interests

5. Memorability (Weight: 10%)

Measures: Likelihood to stick in reader's mind

• Distinctive: Unique phrasing, not generic
• Rhythmic: Flows well when read aloud
• Concrete: Uses specific, vivid language over abstractions
• Punchy: Short, impactful words over lengthy descriptions

6. Social Shareability (Weight: 10%)

Measures: Likelihood to be shared on social media

• Identity expression: Sharing signals something about the sharer
• Conversation starter: Likely to generate discussion
• Platform fit: Works across Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
• Screenshot-worthy: Looks good in social media cards

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Clickbait

• What it is: Misleading or exaggerated titles that don't deliver on promise
• Why avoid: Erodes trust, damages credibility, high bounce rates
• Examples: "You Won't Believe...", "Doctors Hate This...", "One Weird Trick..."

2. Keyword Stuffing

• What it is: Cramming multiple keywords unnaturally
• Why avoid: Hurts readability, looks spammy, SEO penalties
• Example: "AI Medical Healthcare Diagnosis Technology Algorithm Machine Learning"

3. Vagueness

• What it is: Titles so general they could apply to thousands of articles
• Why avoid: No differentiation, no reason to click
• Examples: "Thoughts on AI", "Understanding Healthcare", "Technology and Medicine"

4. Over-promising

• What it is: Titles that promise more than article delivers
• Why avoid: Reader disappointment, credibility loss
• Examples: "The Complete Guide to AI" (for a 2000-word article), "Everything You Need to Know About..."

5. Jargon Overload

• What it is: Technical terms that alienate general audience
• Why avoid: Limits reach, confuses readers, reduces engagement
• Example: "Convolutional Neural Networks in Radiological Pathognomonic Feature Extraction"
• Better: "How AI Learns to Spot Disease in Medical Images"

6. Being Too Clever

• What it is: Puns, wordplay, or references that obscure meaning
• Why avoid: Doesn't translate across audiences, SEO issues, confusion
• Balance: Clever is fine if it doesn't sacrifice clarity

Industry-Specific Considerations

Technical/Professional Articles

• Audience: Experts want specificity and accuracy
• Approach: Be precise, use correct terminology, highlight novelty
• Example: "Explainable AI in Radiology: Bridging the Trust Gap"

General Interest/Popular Science

• Audience: Lay readers need accessible language
• Approach: Use analogies, avoid jargon, emphasize impact
• Example: "AI Doctors and Trust: Can We Fix the Bias Problem"

News/Current Events

• Audience: Want timely, relevant information
• Approach: Emphasize newness, implications, urgency
• Example: "New FDA Rules Change AI in Medicine: What to Know"

Opinion/Commentary

• Audience: Seek perspectives and analysis
• Approach: Signal viewpoint, be provocative (within reason)
• Example: "AI Will Not Replace Radiologists: But They Should Worry"

Testing & Validation

A/B Testing Questions

When choosing between title candidates, ask:

1. Thumb-stopping power: Would this make me pause while scrolling?
2. Value proposition: Is the benefit of reading clear?
3. Audience fit: Does this speak to my target reader?
4. Authenticity: Does this accurately represent the article?
5. Differentiation: How does this stand out from similar articles?

Red Flags

Reject titles that:

• Are deceptive or misleading
• Contain factual errors
• Use offensive language
• Perpetuate stereotypes
• Are too similar to existing popular articles (plagiarism risk)

Examples: Before & After

Example 1: Technical Article

Before: "A Comprehensive Analysis of Algorithmic Bias in Artificial Intelligence Systems Applied to Medical Imaging with Specific Focus on Radiological Diagnoses"

• Problems: Way too long (21 words), jargon-heavy, no hook After: "Hidden Bias in Medical AI: How Systems Fail Minorities"
• Improvements: Concise (8 words), accessible language, emotional hook, clear problem

Example 2: General Interest

Before: "Things to Consider About AI"

• Problems: Vague, generic, no value proposition After: "Medical AI and Racism: The Troubling Truth About Bias"
• Improvements: Provocative topic, specific focus, emotional engagement, clear subject

Example 3: How-To Article

Before: "Guide to Understanding AI in Healthcare Settings"

• Problems: Generic, passive, no urgency After: "How Doctors Should Question AI: A Practical Guide"
• Improvements: Specific audience, action-oriented, practical value

Example 4: News/Analysis

Before: "New Developments in Medical Technology Regulation"

• Problems: Boring, no specifics, no angle After: "New FDA AI Rules: What Changes for Patients and Doctors"
• Improvements: Specific event, clear stakeholders, practical relevance

Recommended Workflow

When generating article titles:

1. Analyze article content deeply - identify:

   • Core thesis/argument
   • Key findings or insights
   • Primary audience
   • Emotional tone
   • Main keywords

2. Generate diverse candidates using different formulas:

   • Question format
   • How-to format
   • Problem-solution format
   • Contrarian format
   • Future/trend format

3. Evaluate each candidate against all six criteria:

   • Clickability (25%)
   • SEO effectiveness (20%)
   • Clarity/informativeness (20%)
   • Emotional impact (15%)
   • Memorability (10%)
   • Social shareability (10%)

4. Score systematically:

   • Rate each criterion 1-10
   • Apply weights
   • Calculate weighted average
   • Consider qualitative factors

5. Select winner based on:

   • Highest overall score
   • Best fit for article tone and audience
   • Authentic representation of content
   • No red flags or ethical concerns

6. Validate by asking:

   • Would I click this?
   • Does it deliver on the promise?
   • Will readers share it?
   • Does it stand out?