How To Write Native Ad Headlines That Sell (But Still Get Approved) (9)

Hey Stacker,

Are you one of those geniuses that's been able to squeak through super high CTR headlines on Taboola?
If so, what's the secret formula for writing ones that actually sell (high CR), but still get approved?


I've had 9/10 of my headlines rejected in every campaign... It's annoying to say the least. And, it's a slow process to get things re-approved.


So I'm now at a point where it feels like I'm throwing darts blindfolded, because I don't know the "unspoken rules" of what copy can get attention, but still get approved.


Any advice?



-Thank You!

Read their terms well and know whats allowed and not? Use synonym websites to find alternatives for restricted words.

Being creative isn’t a secret formula and you can’t teach it unfortunately.


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Quite ironic, isnt it OP? With that headline of yours (was expecting something else), you are very much on the right path to getting high CTRs.

That's a tough one...

I wish I knew

Here's my thoughts though:

1) See what is on Adplexity (no guarantee they'll allow it though as their moderators seem to evolve on what is okay)
2) Start conservative and then once campaign is approved start uploading more aggressive ads, OR...
3) Start with mix of aggressiveness presuming you'll get some but not all approved (i.e. a range of headlines that are similar but ranging in aggressiveness, like: "Seniors Should See This" + "Seniors Should See This Immediately" + "Seniors Are Furious They Didn't See This Sooner" + "Seniors Are Furious They Wasted Money Not Knowing This" + "Seniors Are Furious They Were Scammed By Not Knowing This Free Money Opportunity!")
4) Upload 1-2 ads every 8-16 hours rather than a bunch all at once, so you maximize your chances of having a variety of moderators look at them rather than just one


And then if you have a rep they can check the exact reason something was denied, and often with Taboola it seems to be super specific things. I wish they just gave the explanation right next to the denied ad but they don't :/

Quite an art form ad headlines though that is for sure!

Originally Posted by netgalaxy

Quite ironic, isnt it OP? With that headline of yours (was expecting something else), you are very much on the right path to getting high CTRs.

Yeah, this is more of what I was looking for... good suggestions jack_l

It's really tricky...

So far I've had REALLY mixed results with my approvals (this has been for WH campaigns). I tried running FB campaigns to test the creatives for CTR but then Taboola didn't approve what got the best CTR. Go figure.

Has the taboola ctr tool predicted headline success accurately for you?

Also on point (4) do you keep putting them into the same campaign? What's the max # of ads you stuff into one? (I've heard people cap it at 6 and others let it fly)

Honestly there's really no big secret. All the top headlines are public for everyone to see on their devices and via spy tools and they're all pretty formulaic.

Here's a swipe file that NativeAds put out some time ago: http://nativeads.com/Native_Ads_Headline_Swipe_File.pdf

Taboola and Outbrain doesn't like the more clickbait wordage like "Breakthrough" "X Hates this", etc. They also particularly don't like you making exaggerated claims. What's kosher on other native networks or facebook probably isn't for those two.

But instead of shooting in the dark, just ask your rep for feedback on what the issue is and send them over a few examples of what you're going for. That's where your rep is hugely helpful, navigating approvals in the beginning.

Yes sometimes you can slip ads through depending on who sees it and when, but it's not something I'd rely on, and not something I'd worry about starting out.

Also CTR also has a lot to do with the vertical in question. Leadgen generally won't get as many clicks as more broader offers like ecom gadgets.

CTR is driven mostly by image, and then by the headline. The image is the A in AIDA and ideally the headline serves as the I.

The interest you create with the headline should be what is commonly called "open loop", it should leave something dangling, like an itch or a pain point, and the headline should give they impression that this loop will get cosed when the user clicks on the link.

Depending on the preciseness of your targeting, playing on fear or greed, unfortunately, works much too well.

Originally Posted by cmdeal

CTR is driven mostly by image, and then by the headline. The image is the A in AIDA and ideally the headline serves as the I.

The interest you create with the headline should be what is commonly called "open loop", it should leave something dangling, like an itch or a pain point, and the headline should give they impression that this loop will get cosed when the user clicks on the link.

Depending on the preciseness of your targeting, playing on fear or greed, unfortunately, works much too well.

Originally Posted by thedudeabides

Honestly there's really no big secret. All the top headlines are public for everyone to see on their devices and via spy tools and they're all pretty formulaic.

Here's a swipe file that NativeAds put out some time ago: http://nativeads.com/Native_Ads_Headline_Swipe_File.pdf

Taboola and Outbrain doesn't like the more clickbait wordage like "Breakthrough" "X Hates this", etc. They also particularly don't like you making exaggerated claims. What's kosher on other native networks or facebook probably isn't for those two.

But instead of shooting in the dark, just ask your rep for feedback on what the issue is and send them over a few examples of what you're going for. That's where your rep is hugely helpful, navigating approvals in the beginning.

Yes sometimes you can slip ads through depending on who sees it and when, but it's not something I'd rely on, and not something I'd worry about starting out.

Also CTR also has a lot to do with the vertical in question. Leadgen generally won't get as many clicks as more broader offers like ecom gadgets.