Why do listicles attract so many readers?
Listicles can be found on just about any topic you can imagine. Whether you are interested in video games, home redecorating, traveling, reading, legal advice or exercise routines, there are nearly an infinite number of articles containing lists that can provide you with quick information on the topic of your choice. You will often find these on blogs, embedded in websites or shared on social media.
But what is it that makes a list so attractive to readers? This format does tend to get an incredible amount of engagement. If you are considering how to get more eyes on your content, using lists is an easy way to give yourself a boost. Below are five reasons that these lists work so well.
1. Readers can scan the content
First and foremost, listicles are inherently scannable. Some people do not want to read the entire article. They just scan down and read each option in the list, without digging into the deeper text. Of course, for those who want to learn more, there is further information, and they can get a lot out of it. But because a listicle works for two different types of readers, it gets more engagement from the public as a whole.
2. Numbers stand out
There is also some evidence that numbers are attention grabbers. People are drawn to them. This is true even if the list is not in ascending order. A listicle does not necessarily have to be rating the top 10 products or vacation destinations. But simply by putting things in a numerical order, readers are more drawn to it than if the information was presented in a block of text.
3. It feels easy to read
Even for those who want to do more than scan, a listicle is not intimidating. The text is naturally broken up with subheaders. There is plenty of white space. A person can move through the text quickly and easily. It feels intuitive to read. All of this keeps the person on the page.
4. Readers have come to expect it
To some degree, the popularity of listicles themselves helps to make them work. It is a type of content people are used to reading. Whether they are doing research or just killing time, it is something that they expect and understand. When choosing between two different articles, even if they contain the same information, the one that is formatted as a list is more likely to draw them in.
5. It triggers our compulsion to finish something
From a psychological perspective, many people are driven to finish anything that they have started. Even if it is not their favorite article that they have ever read, once they have started reading, they want to get through the text. A list naturally gives them an indication of how close they are getting. As they move through it, it makes them feel accomplished. In many ways, this is similar to making a daily list of tasks and checking them off one at a time. You are more likely to do them because they are on the list and your brain tells you that it is important to finish that list.
When creating content, considering how it is going to impact your reader is very important. Here at Content Customs, we can help with social media content, on-page content, blog content and many other forms. To get more insights or learn more about how we can help your company this year, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at your earliest convenience.
