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    Quick answer

    To write a listicle, pick a topic people search for, choose a format such as “best of” or “alternatives”, and set clear criteria for what makes the list. Give every item the same structure, back each one with real evidence, disclose any commercial relationships, and update the list as things change.

    What makes a good listicle?

    A listicle is an article built around a numbered or bulleted list, such as a roundup of the tools in a category, a set of alternatives to a well-known product or a collection of practical tips. Each item has its own heading and a short explanation, so readers can skim to the parts they need.

    Listicles range from light entertainment to detailed buying guides. This guide focuses on the useful kind: lists that help someone compare options and make a decision.

    Why listicles work

    Listicles suit readers, publishers and search engines for a few practical reasons:

    • Easy to skim

      Clear headings and a consistent layout let readers find the items that matter to them without reading every word.

    • They match how people search

      Many searches start with words like “best”, “top” or “alternatives”, and a well-made list answers that kind of query directly.

    • They help buyers compare

      Putting options side by side, with the same details for each, makes it easier to weigh them up.

    • They give AI tools useful context

      AI tools can draw on comparison content when answering recommendation questions. A clear, fair list may be one of the sources they use, although nothing guarantees it.

    How to write a listicle, step by step

    These ten steps take you from an idea to a finished list. They apply whether you are writing for your own site or for a publisher.

    1. Choose a topic with clear search intent

    Start with a topic people are already searching for, and make sure the intent is clear. Searches that include “best”, “alternatives to” or “X vs Y” usually come from people comparing options, while tips searches come from people looking for ideas. Check the current results for your topic to see what readers expect, and look for a gap you can fill with a more useful or more current list.

    2. Pick the right format

    Match the format to the intent. The common formats are:

    • Best of: a shortlist of recommended options for a need.
    • Comparison: two or more options set side by side.
    • Alternatives: options for people moving away from a known product.
    • Reviews: a roundup with a verdict on each item.
    • Tips or ideas: practical advice rather than products.

    3. Decide how many items to include

    Include as many items as are genuinely useful, and no more. A tight list of options you can stand behind is more helpful than a long one padded with weak entries. If your research turns up more strong options than fit, consider splitting the topic by audience or use case rather than stretching a single list.

    4. Set clear selection criteria and explain them

    Decide what qualifies an item for the list before you start writing, such as features, price range, ease of use, support or the audience it suits. Then explain those criteria in a short “How we chose” paragraph near the top. Readers can see why each option is there, and it keeps your choices consistent.

    5. Write a headline that matches the search

    Your headline should tell readers exactly what the list covers. Make it specific and accurate, with the topic, the audience and, where it helps, the number of items or the year. Avoid clickbait. A headline that promises more than the list delivers loses the reader’s trust as soon as they start reading.

    6. Open with a short intro and a summary of your top picks

    Keep the introduction short. Explain who the list is for and what it covers, then give a summary of your top picks in a small table or short list. This works as a quick answer for skimmers who want the headline recommendations before they read the detail.

    7. Use the same structure for every item

    Give every item the same set of details, in the same order, so readers can compare like with like. A consistent layout also makes the list easier to update later. The template in the next section sets out the elements to include.

    8. Back every item with evidence

    Each recommendation should rest on something real. First-hand testing, screenshots, data and honest pros and cons all show readers that you have looked closely at each option. Write in your own words rather than repeating marketing copy, and be specific about what you found.

    9. Be fair and transparent

    Disclose any affiliate links, paid relationships and products of your own, clearly and near the top of the page. If your own product appears, explain how you ranked it and judge it by the same criteria as everything else. Being open about relationships protects your credibility with readers.

    10. Keep the list up to date

    Lists go out of date as products change, prices move and new options appear. Review your list regularly, show the date it was last updated, and remove anything that no longer fits. Replace outdated items with genuine alternatives rather than leaving stale recommendations in place.

    A listicle item template you can copy

    Use this template for every item on your list. It covers the details readers need to compare options.

    Element What to include
    Name and heading The product or brand name as an H2 or H3
    One-line summary What it is and who it suits
    Best for A specific use case, such as “Best for small teams”
    Key features Three to five points that matter to the reader
    Pros and cons An honest balance
    Price or plan If relevant, with the date checked
    Link To the official site or product page

    Listicle item template

    Using the same structure for every item makes the list fair and easy to compare.

    How to write listicles that AI tools can use

    The qualities that make a list useful to readers also make it easier for AI tools to understand. When you plan how to write listicles for AI search, focus on these:

    • Clear “best for” labels. A label such as “Best for small teams” ties each item to a specific need.
    • A summary table near the top. Key details in one place make the list easy to scan and compare.
    • Consistent brand names. Use each brand’s official name every time, so the mentions are easy to connect.
    • Specific, factual statements. Concrete details about features, audiences and prices are more useful than hype.
    • Visible sources and update dates. They show where your information comes from and how current it is.

    These steps can increase the chance of a list being cited, but nothing guarantees it. AI tools decide what to include, and their answers change over time. For the brand side of this, see our guide on how to get AI brand mentions.

    SEO tips for listicles

    Good listicle SEO is mostly about clarity. Cover these basics:

    • The keyword in the title and H1

      Use the main search phrase naturally in both, so readers and search engines know what the page covers.

    • One heading per item

      Give every item its own heading, so the list is easy to navigate and each option is clearly labelled.

    • Descriptive image alt text

      Describe what each screenshot or image shows, for accessibility and for search.

    • Internal links to related guides

      Link to relevant pages on your site where they genuinely help the reader.

    • A short FAQ

      Answer the follow-up questions readers are likely to have, in a few sentences each.

    • A visible updated date

      Show when the list was last reviewed, so readers can see it is current.

    Common listicle mistakes to avoid

    Weak listicles tend to fail in predictable ways. Watch out for these:

    • Padding with weak items

      Adding filler to reach a round number dilutes the useful recommendations.

    • Copying manufacturer descriptions

      Repeating marketing copy adds nothing and gives readers no reason to trust your view.

    • No selection criteria

      Without clear criteria, the list looks arbitrary and is hard to defend.

    • Outdated prices or products

      Old details mislead readers and undermine the rest of the list.

    • Hidden paid placements

      Undisclosed commercial relationships damage trust and can breach advertising rules.

    • Clickbait headlines that the list does not deliver

      A headline that overpromises loses readers as soon as they arrive.

    Want your brand in other people’s listicles?

    Writing your own list is one route. Being featured in lists on established publishers puts you in front of their readers and the AI tools that draw on them. Only Listicles secures these listicle brand mentions for you, from finding the right lists to writing your entry.

    Get your brand into listicles on authoritative sites

    Explore brand mention link building

    Frequently asked questions

    Choose a topic people search for and a format that matches it, such as a “best of” list or an alternatives list. Set clear selection criteria, give every item the same structure and back each one with real evidence. Disclose any commercial relationships and keep the list up to date. That is how to write a listicle that readers can trust and use.
    It depends on the topic and the number of items. A short tips list might need only a few hundred words, while a detailed buying guide covering ten products will need far more. Rather than aiming for a word count, make sure each item is substantial enough to help the reader decide, with a clear summary, the key details and honest pros and cons.
    As many as are genuinely useful. Some topics suit a tight shortlist of five, while others need ten or more to cover the main options. Set your selection criteria first and include every option that meets them, without padding the list to reach a round number. If you have too many strong options, consider splitting the topic by audience or use case.
    Write for readers first, then make the list easy to understand. Use clear “best for” labels, a summary table near the top, consistent brand names and specific, factual statements. Show your sources and the date you last updated the list. That is how to write listicles AI tools can use, although nothing guarantees a list will be cited.
    You can, if it genuinely fits the list. Disclose clearly that it is your own product, near the top of the page and beside the item itself, and judge it by the same criteria as every other option. Explain how you ranked it. Readers are more likely to trust a list that is open about the relationship than one that quietly puts its own product first.
    Yes. In the UK, paid placements and affiliate content are marketing, and the CAP Code requires marketing to be obviously identifiable as such. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) enforces the code. In practice, that means labelling paid content clearly and disclosing affiliate links in a way readers will notice before they engage with the content.