How to Write an Ad Headline That Attracts Clicks

The ad headline is the first thing a user sees in the search results list and on Google. It is what decides whether the ad is opened or scrolled past, even if there is a great product or service inside.
In this article, we'll break down how to write an ad headline that grabs attention, increases click-through rate (CTR), and brings in more responses.
Why the Ad Headline Is So Important
A user typically:
- sees dozens of similar ads,
- spends a few seconds choosing,
- clicks only on headlines that are immediately clear and useful.
If the headline is:
- too general,
- uninformative,
- or looks like everyone else's,
the ad simply gets lost among others.
The Main Mistake: Too General Headline
Examples of weak headlines:
- Selling phone
- Renting apartment
- Providing services
- Good item
Such headlines:
- do not explain exactly what is being offered,
- do not stand out,
- work poorly in search.
Formula for a Good Ad Headline
A working formula looks like this:
What you offer + key feature + important detail or benefit
Examples:
- iPhone 13, 128 GB, excellent condition
- Apartment renovation turnkey, fast and with warranty
- IKEA sofa, almost new, pickup
- Office cleaning in Bratislava, one-time or regular
Such a headline immediately answers the user's question: "Is this ad right for me?"
Use Specifics
A good ad headline is always specific.
Compare:
Bad:
Selling laptop
Good:
Lenovo ThinkPad X1, 16 GB RAM, SSD 512 GB
Specifics:
- increase trust,
- save user time,
- increase the number of targeted clicks.
Add Important Details, But Don't Overload
In the headline, it is important to indicate:
- model or type of service,
- condition,
- format (rent, sale, service),
- sometimes city or district.
But you should not:
- write long sentences,
- use unnecessary words,
- add information that is better revealed in the description.
What Not to Do in an Ad Headline
Common mistakes:
- Using ALL CAPS
- Putting many exclamation marks
- Writing abstract phrases like "best offer"
- Lying or embellishing
- Making the headline too long
Such headlines reduce trust and are often ignored.
Headline and SEO: Why It Matters for Google
The ad headline affects not only clicks but also search visibility.
A good headline:
- contains keywords,
- matches real search queries,
- is better indexed by Google.
For example, the headline "Washing machine repair in Košice" will be found more often than "Quality master services".
Example of Good and Bad Headline
Bad:
Urgent, profitable
Good:
Bosch washing machine, working condition, delivery
The difference is obvious: the second option immediately gives an understanding of exactly what is being offered.
Checklist for a Good Ad Headline
Before publishing, check the headline:
- Is it clear exactly what you are offering
- Is there specifics
- Are words used that users search for
- Are there no unnecessary emotions and deception
- Would you want to click on such an ad yourself
If the answer to all questions is "yes" — the headline works.
Conclusion
A correct ad headline:
- increases the number of clicks,
- increases trust,
- brings more responses,
- helps the ad stand out among competitors.
If you are not sure how to formulate a headline, you can use the AI Ad Generator on Ozna.sk, which helps create clear and attractive text based on a few inputs.
Sometimes one successful headline decides more than a price reduction.