How to write a listicle people actually want to read

Listicles have a bit of a reputation problem, don't they? Mention the word, and you probably think of clickbait titles and content that's all fluff, no substance. But here's the thing: when done well, they're one of the most effective content formats out there, used by everyone from BuzzFeed to major news outlets.

The reason they're so popular is simple: they're designed for how we actually read online. Listicles break down big topics into pieces that are easy to scan, understand, and remember. This guide is about cutting through the noise and showing you how to create a listicle that your audience will find genuinely useful, and that will also perform well in search results. We'll get into why they work, what a good one looks like, and the exact steps to create something people want to share.

It's a clear process, but it definitely takes time. If you want to speed things up, a tool like the eesel AI blog writer can handle the heavy lifting. It can turn a single topic into a full listicle in minutes, letting you focus more on the big picture.

What is a listicle, and why do our brains love them?

A listicle is pretty much what it sounds like: a mix between a "list" and an "article". It isn't just a simple set of bullet points. A solid listicle gives context and explanation for each item, making it a complete piece of content.

Jack Shepherd, a former editor at BuzzFeed, breaks them down into three main types you've likely seen around:

• The simple listicle: A straightforward collection of items, like "15 email etiquette rules you should know." It’s direct and to the point.
• The definitive listicle: This is the big one, the "ultimate guide" that aims to be the go-to resource on a topic. Think of something like "Google’s 200 Ranking Factors." These are made to be bookmarked and revisited.
• The framework listicle: This type walks you through a process, like "7 Key Steps for Structuring Effective Sales Calls." It's more of a mini-guide than a simple collection of tips.

So, what makes them so appealing? It comes down to psychology.

First, they’re easy on the brain. Our minds appreciate predictability. A numbered list shows us a clear beginning, middle, and end. As we scroll, each new number feels like a tiny win, making the whole reading experience feel less like work.

Second, they are incredibly scannable. Most of us skim when we read online. With 43% of people admitting to it, the listicle format is a perfect match. Headings and numbers let readers hop to the parts that interest them and still get the main ideas.

Finally, they promise a clear outcome. A title like "7 tips for..." tells you exactly what you're getting into. It feels manageable and valuable before you even click, which is a huge plus in a sea of content.

The anatomy of a high-quality listicle

A good listicle is more than just a numbered list. It has a specific structure meant to grab the reader's attention and keep them engaged all the way through.

A title that gets clicks (without being clickbait) Your title is your first impression, so it has to count. It should be specific, include a number, and promise something valuable. Headlines that start with a number, like "7 Ways to..." tend to get more engagement because people know what to expect. Just make sure your content actually delivers on that promise.

An introduction that hooks the reader You only have a few seconds to get someone interested. A great tool for this is the PAS (Problem, Agitate, Solve) framework. This classic copywriting formula works by first identifying a reader's pain point (Problem), then explaining why it's a bigger deal than they think (Agitate), and finally, positioning your listicle as the solution (Solve).

List items that are logical and valuable The order of your points is important. You could arrange them by time, importance, or group them by theme. No matter what you choose, keep the headings for each point clear and consistent. More importantly, each point needs to have some meat on its bones. Don't just state something; back it up with data, real-life examples, quotes, or visuals to make it credible.

A conclusion that calls to action Don't let your listicle just trail off. A strong conclusion wraps up the main points and tells the reader what to do next. Now that they have this information, what's the next step? This is your chance to guide them toward a call to action.

How to write a listicle that ranks

Now that you know the parts, here’s a process for creating a listicle that people will enjoy reading and that search engines will favor.

1. Start with search intent and keyword research You need to cover topics people are actually looking for. A good way to find ideas is to search for plural keywords like "customer service tools," "SEO examples," or "content marketing tips." Check out the top-ranking results for those terms. If the first page is full of listicles, that's a strong signal that it's the format people want for that topic.

2. Create a clear and logical outline Before you start writing, map out the whole article. Decide on your main points, how you'll order them, and what evidence you'll use for each one. This helps the article flow logically and ensures you cover everything. For longer listicles, adding a table of contents at the top is a nice touch for readers and helps search engines understand your content's structure.

3. Back up every point with real value This is what separates a great listicle from a forgettable one. For every point you make, find examples, stats, screenshots, or quotes to support it. This gives your content more depth and authority, making it more trustworthy and useful.

4. Optimize for scannability and snippets Make your content as easy to skim as possible. Use short paragraphs, bold key phrases, and add bullet points where they make sense. This also improves your chances of landing a Google Featured Snippet. Since a massive 99% of featured snippets come from results on the first page, a well-structured listicle is in a great position to get featured. For paragraph snippets, try to give a concise, 40-50 word answer right below a heading.

How to write a listicle in minutes with the eesel AI blog writer

Following this process will help you create a quality listicle, but it's also a lot of work. The research, outlining, writing, and formatting all take time.

That's why we built the eesel AI blog writer. It's a platform designed to create high-quality, publish-ready listicles from just a keyword. We used this very tool to grow our own organic traffic at eesel AI, going from 700 to 750,000 daily impressions in just 3 months by publishing over 1,000 optimized blogs.

Here’s what makes it so useful for creating listicles:

• Context-aware research: You give it a topic, and it finds the right details. If you're writing a comparison, it pulls pricing data. For a product roundup, it finds the technical specs.
• Automatic asset generation: This is a huge time-saver. It doesn't just write text; it creates a complete post with AI images, infographics, and tables, so you don't have to spend hours making visuals yourself.
• Social proof integration: To add more credibility, it finds and embeds relevant YouTube videos and real Reddit quotes directly into the article. This adds depth and real-world perspective to your points.
• SEO and AEO optimized: Every article is built for traditional search engines and is also optimized for AI Answer Engines like Google's AI Overviews, so you can stay ahead of the curve.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing listicles

Even with the best plan, it's easy to fall into a few traps that give listicles a bad name. Here’s what to look out for.

Misleading or clickbait titles Your headline is a promise. If you promise "10 amazing tips," you need to deliver ten genuinely solid tips. Failing to live up to the title is the fastest way to lose a reader's trust.

Writing "fluff" items Every single item on your list should add unique value. Avoid vague points that don't offer any real advice. As the content experts at Replo say, if a point doesn't add something new, it should be cut. It's always about quality over quantity.

Inconsistent formatting or ordering Make sure all your list items follow a similar structure. The headings should be formatted the same way, and the content within each section should be consistent. Don't mix different styles, like a ranked list with a thematic one, as it can confuse the reader and make the article feel messy.

Ignoring SEO fundamentals A great listicle still needs to be optimized for search. Don't forget the basics: write for the right search intent, include relevant internal and external links, and make sure your page loads quickly.

For a more in-depth look at why listicles are so effective and how they capture reader attention, check out the video below. It explores the science behind their viral nature and offers practical tips for crafting content that readers will love and share.

A YouTube video explaining the science of why listicles go viral, offering tips on how to write a listicle that readers will love.

Final thoughts on writing listicles

So, are listicles just clickbait? Not if you do them right. They're a content format backed by psychology that works because they're scannable, predictable, and easy for our busy minds to process.

A great listicle is really just a well-structured article that delivers a lot of value in a digestible package. By focusing on what your audience is searching for, backing up every point with real substance, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create listicles that people actually enjoy reading and that search engines are happy to rank.

Ready to create your first high-quality listicle in minutes? Try eesel AI for free and turn any topic into a publish-ready article with text, images, and more.