5 Reasons Why Listicles Rule Online (And Crush It on Social Media)

23 Jun 2025 #writing

#1. They offer a clear promise. “10 reasons” or “5 mistakes” are way better than “on writing” or “some thoughts on blogging.” It’s clear what to expect from the first two.

#2. They are easy to digest and skim. People don’t read online. They skim. A listicle with bolded bullet points or subheaders is easier to skim than text-heavy essays. People can jump in at any point after skimming. And even if they only read those subheaders, they will take away some value from a listicle.

#3. They follow a proven structure. Listicles are popular because they work. The 10 Commandments, The 48 Laws of Power, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century are just three examples of listicles.

#4. They offer more interaction points. Every point invites comments and conversation. “I really like point #n…“

#5. They offer more repurposing opportunities. Listicle points with the most interaction make great standalone posts. See #4. That’s one tip to double our post count.

Best of all? If you already write 10 ideas a day, listicles practically write themselves.