When I prepared this post, I couldn't find any current research that would support that assumption. So why do we still use title style headlines on industry blogs and other B2B content, including this one?īecause readers prefer title case headlines, they perceive them as more credible and authoritative. That group includes ABC News, The Boston Globe, CNN, NBC News, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. But many others have changed their headline style rules over the past two decades. Yes, some - The New York Times and The New Yorker are two examples - still do. All major newspapers, magazines, and other leading news sources used to capitalize their headlines. It is expected in book titles and academic writing. In the US, title capitalization was taught in school. Research: Which headline style do people prefer? Please note: The information on the whiteboard is true to the style of The Millions and Publishers Weekly specifically.Īs for the initial question - should you capitalize your headlines? - don't expect much more help from the web. Reward yourself and enjoy the flowchart below, courtesy of The Millions: It published a 42-page document on Capitalization Rules in headlines and beyond. If your company sells to the federal government, guidance comes from the US Government Publishing Office. Given the variety of distinct title capitalization rulesets and fringe cases, who really has the time? You may ask: Why should we use headline capitalization at all?įair question. The tools listed below help you ensure consistency for whatever style you settle on.īefore we get there, let's back up for a moment. In this case, the visual draws even more attention to capitalization errors.
Or take the overlay text on social media images, for example. That rule applies to blog posts, landing pages, and whitepapers just the same. If we don't, it becomes a distraction and weakens our message. Title case, sentence case, AP, Chicago, New York Times: Once we choose a headline style for our title or subheadings, we better stick with it. Which brings us to: One title capitalization rule to rule them all It doesn't matter if they can't put the finger on it. It violates a familiar pattern they have come to associate with trusted sources. The problem with headlines that flout the rules is that they look sloppy.Ī capitalization mistake jumps out at readers.
So when headlines are created as an afterthought, it often happens with little or no regard for any rules whatsoever. Title capitalization in B2B content isn't exactly a matter of life or death. It ended with ".and only if required in an emergency to ensure a safe outcome." My flight instructor had his own version. Variations are attributed to Pablo Picasso ("Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist") and the Dalai Lama ( falsely), among others. "Learn the rules before you break them" is time-honored advice.
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