listicle

A listicle is an index whose point items are supplemented with additional related commentary. The term is a portmanteau of the words list and article. The goal of listicles is to assemble content in a digestible size that is easy to read. Listicles are popular with web users. Some experts claim that shorter articles and memes are created in response to the shorter attention spans of people today. In contrast with many longer articles, listicles are clear and concise, saving time and generally focusing on content the media consumer finds relevant.

Commonly, listicles are made to create the infamous top ten lists we see on YouTube and the internet in general. They are also often used to summarize product reviews consisting of lists of the products that are portrayed as the best options. The listicle might be consulted by consumers considering buying a product. The page or channel then garners views that may translate to revenue. These lists may appear on sponsored pages too, where ads are run, garnering more dollars per view but where a conflict of interest is possible. Listicles are frequently used in content marketing.