Search or Snicker? That is the Question.

I love a headline that doesn’t tell the whole story – one that makes me laugh or keeps me in suspense. It makes me want to read. Google, on the other hand, doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.  It reads every article regardless if the headline is witty or not. And, it holds headlines in pretty high regard when it comes to search engine optimization.

So, are witty headlines dead for online content? Some search engine optimizers argue that humor has no place if you want people to be able to find your article or blog post. But, what about the CDC and Preparing for a Zombie Apocalypse? Supposedly within hours, that post was the most popular on the CDC’s blog to date.

If you want to read more, take a trip over to the Atlantic where David Wheeler explores the fact that “Google Doesn’t Laugh.” And then, if you’re ready for laugh, The AWL wrote a poem based on David’s article…

This Is Why We Can’t Have Funny Headlines (A Poem)

Google doesn’t laugh
It doesn’t even titter
It can’t guffaw like Facebook
It won’t split its sides like Twitter

Google doesn’t crack a smile
It won’t respond to mirth
There’s not a single laughing part
Not even Google Earth

Your title might be funny
Forcing chuckles from the chest
But Google sits there stone-faced
Resolutely unimpressed

Don’t try to brighten someone’s day
Don’t aim for “smart and winning”
Your goal is catching Google’s eye
And Google isn’t grinning

Best to stick to SEO
And trade your wheat for chaff
Forget the humor, blogger boy
‘Cause Google doesn’t laugh