What Makes a Good Thread Title?

[Bo]

I'm hoping this topic might be FAQ-worthy, as I've seen many examples lately of thread titles that don't address the content of their thread very well. Perhaps with a little guidance, members can do a better job of providing helpful titles when they start a thread?

A good thread title is one that tells the reader what they will find in the thread when they open it. Here are some examples.

"Who makes the best hamburgers in Anytown?"
"Property tax bills are getting higher"
"Stray puppies in my neighborhood"

Now imagine if those same 3 topics were titled with these thread titles. Would you know what they were discussing without opening the thread?

"Where can I find..."
"Just got my mail today and Yeeeow!"
"So cute, but so very sad"

If a topic is worth starting a new thread, it's worth taking a few extra seconds to summarize that thread with a descriptive title. Other people's time is valuable. Maybe they're not interested in your topic, so do them a favor beforehand and let them know what it's about! It's a polite thing you can do for your fellow members of City-Data and it takes only a few extra seconds.

[Paula Lynn]

I agree with you. Specific information in the title you'll have a better chance of responses.

[Bo]

Another advantage I neglected to mention in the OP is that descriptive titles make it easier for everyone to find good information later. Using one of my examples above, just imagine you're hungry for hamburgers a few days or weeks after the thread asking about the best ones is posted. So you go back and search for the thread with everyone's choices for the best hamburger joints in town. It'll be so much easier to find that information if the thread title includes the word hamburgers!

[jfre81]

"Just got my mail today and Yeeeow!"

I don't know, but that's kinda catchy. I'd want to know what might make me go "Yeeeow!" when I open my mailbox. Rattlesnake, mayhaps?

I say if you're gonna be vague, do it with style and in a way that makes people want to click on it. Otherwise, the response that first comes from a "Where can I find..." topic usually ends up being the same thing - *Google*

Or there's even that handy little search feature here on c-d.