Listicles

Listicles are articles structured around a list, such as “10 ways to speed up your website” or “the best walking boots for winter”. The format is easy to scan and suits many searches, but a good listicle still needs real substance behind each point.

Written by Paul Hoda, SEO consultant since 2005. Last updated 8 November 2026.

Common types of listicle

  • Tips and ideas: “15 ways to save energy at home”.
  • Best-of roundups: “best CRM software for small businesses”.
  • Examples and inspiration: “20 examples of great homepage design”.
  • Mistakes and myths: “7 common mistakes first-time buyers make”.
  • Resources and tools: “12 free tools for keyword research“.

Why listicles work

Lists match how many people read online: by scanning. Clear numbered headings let readers jump to what they need, and they make the structure obvious to search engines too. Well-organised header tags help with this.

The format also matches search intent for many queries. If you search for “best running apps”, most top results are lists, because searchers want several options to choose from. Matching the format the results already favour is a sensible starting point.

Lists can also appear in featured snippets, where Google sometimes shows a short list pulled from a page’s headings.

How to write a useful listicle

  1. Check that a list suits the query. Look at what currently ranks before you choose the format.
  2. Pick a number that fits the topic, not one chosen to sound impressive. Seven strong points beat twenty weak ones.
  3. Put the items in a logical order: by importance, by step, or by category.
  4. Give each item a clear heading and a short explanation of why it matters.
  5. Back up each point with examples, evidence or first-hand experience.
  6. For product roundups, explain how you chose and tested the options.
  7. Add a short introduction and, where helpful, a summary table.
  8. Keep the list current. Remove products that no longer exist and add new ones.

Listicles and product roundups

Best-of product lists are among the most competitive listicles. Google’s reviews system looks to reward reviews based on real expertise and testing. A roundup that simply repeats manufacturer descriptions with affiliate links is unlikely to compete with one that shows hands-on use, measured results and honest pros and cons.

Roundups that are close to comparison pages work best when they make a clear recommendation for different types of buyer.

Common mistakes

  • Padding. Adding filler items just to reach a round number frustrates readers.
  • One-line entries. Each point needs enough detail to be useful on its own.
  • Clickbait titles. Over-promising in the headline leads to quick exits.
  • Forcing the format. Some topics need a step-by-step guide or a deep explainer instead.
  • Stale lists. Old “best of” pages lose trust quickly when the products have changed.

Key Takeaways

  • A listicle is an article built around a numbered or bulleted list.
  • The format is easy to scan and matches the intent of many searches.
  • Choose the number of items to suit the topic, not to sound impressive.
  • Each item needs real detail, evidence or experience behind it.
  • Product roundups should show genuine testing and stay up to date.

Related Terms

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