If you’ve spent more than five minutes trying to title a YouTube video, you know the feeling. Every option either feels too bland, too clickbaity, or like something you’ve seen a hundred times before. But here’s the truth: your title matters more than almost anything else.

It’s the headline of your video. The first thing viewers see. And if it doesn’t spark enough curiosity to earn the click? The algorithm won’t do you any favours.

That’s where power words come in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• Why power words work (especially for YouTube),

• The top title formulas used by fast-growing creators and brands,

• How to plug power words into those formulas,

• And how to make sure your titles stay clickable and credible.

Let’s get started.

Why Power Words Matter on YouTube

“Power words” are emotionally charged words that grab attention and drive action. In the YouTube ecosystem, they:

• Stop the scroll (aka boost impressions-to-click)

• Spark curiosity and urgency

• Amplify the emotional promise of your content

They’re not magic — you still need a great video — but they can make or break whether people actually see it.

According to Backlinko, power words in headlines can increase CTR by up to 7%. And unlike thumbnails, which can be hit or miss depending on device and placement, your title shows up everywhere.

The Top 5 YouTube Title Formulas (And Where Power Words Fit)

Here are five proven formulas — plus a guide for where to sprinkle your power words for maximum effect.

1. The “Result + Effort” Formula

Format: [Big result] in [Short time/effort]
Example: “Get 1,000 Subscribers in 7 Days (Without Ads)”

Power Word Hotspots:

• Front-load with verbs (“Get”, “Grow”, “Earn”)

• Use value triggers (“Free”, “Effortless”, “Fast”)

• Add curiosity kickers in parentheses (“Without X”, “Even If…”)

Parts of Speech to Focus on:

• Verb: “Get”, “Grow”, “Earn”

• Adjective: “Effortless”, “Free”, “Fast”

• Noun: “Subscribers”, “Revenue”, “Results”

2. The “Expert Authority” Formula

Format: I’m a [Role/Experience]. Here’s What I’d Do.
Example: “I’m a Former Ad Exec. Do THIS Before You Launch”

Power Word Hotspots:

• Lead with authority-based nouns (“CEO”, “Coach”, “Founder”)

• Use confident verbs (“Master”, “Crack”, “Avoid”)

Parts of Speech to Focus on:

• Noun: “Expert”, “Insider”, “Genius”

• Verb: “Reveal”, “Recommend”, “Avoid”

• Adjective: “Proven”, “Definitive”, “Best”

3. The “Challenge or Transformation” Formula

Format: [Callout] — [Trigger a transformation]
Example: “Still Posting Reels? Here’s Why It’s Ruining Your Reach”

Power Word Hotspots:

• Stir emotion with adjectives (“Ruined”, “Undeniable”, “Unstoppable”)

• Call out actions (“Stop”, “Fix”, “Change”)

Parts of Speech to Focus on:

• Verb: “Stop”, “Change”, “Fix”

• Adjective: “Ruined”, “Shocking”, “Dangerous”

• Adverb: “Quickly”, “Permanently”, “Easily”

4. The “Curiosity Trigger” Formula

Format: Do This Every Time You [Trigger] — [Unexpected result]
Example: “Do This Every Time You Upload (It’s Why I’m Growing Fast)”

Power Word Hotspots:

• Add surprise verbs/adjectives (“Hidden”, “Secret”, “Shocking”)

• Close with unexpected results (“...Why I’m Winning”, “…My Secret Weapon”)

Parts of Speech to Focus on:

• Adjective: “Hidden”, “Secret”, “Weird”

• Noun: “Tactic”, “Routine”, “Hack”

• Verb: “Unlock”, “Trigger”, “Skyrocket”

5. The “Listicle Plus” Formula

Format: [#] [Tactics/Tips/Hacks] That [Specific Result]
Example: “3 Scripts That Skyrocket Retention (In Under 10 Seconds)”

Power Word Hotspots:

• Use speed words (“Instant”, “Quick”, “Now”)

• Use result-driven adjectives (“Skyrocketing”, “Unbelievable”, “Powerful”)

Parts of Speech to Focus on:

• Noun: “Scripts”, “Formulas”, “Frameworks”

• Adjective: “Quick”, “Powerful”, “Essential”

• Verb: “Boost”, “Double”, “Explode”

Power Words for YouTube Titles (By Part of Speech)

To help you get started, here’s a cheat sheet you can plug into your formulas:

How to Put It All Together

Let’s say you’re publishing a video about common mistakes in startup pitches. Here’s how to build the title:

Step 1: Pick a Formula

Listicle Plus → “3 Mistakes That [Negative Result]”

Step 2: Add Power Words

Mistakes = “Deadly Mistakes”
Negative result = “Kill Your Funding Chances”
Optional CTA = “(And How to Fix Them)”

Final Title:

“3 Deadly Pitch Mistakes That Kill Your Funding Chances (And How to Fix Them)”

Final Tips for Using Power Words Well

• Avoid the clickbait trap: Deliver on what your title promises, or viewers will bounce.

• Front-load important words: Titles get cut off on mobile — keep the good stuff up front.

• Don’t stack too many: Two or three well-chosen power words is enough. More feels forced.

• Test variations: A/B test with YouTube’s built-in tools or third-party platforms like TubeBuddy.

Make Your Titles Work Harder (So You Don’t Have To)

There’s no secret hack to guaranteed YouTube success — but this is pretty close. A strong title does a lot of heavy lifting: grabbing attention, promising value, and sparking enough intrigue to win the click.

Use these power words and formulas like building blocks. Mix and match them, test them, and iterate. A good title isn’t just a headline — it’s a growth lever.

And if you’re a startup trying to grow on YouTube without hiring a full in-house team — that’s where we can help.

About Humble&Brag

We’re Humble&Brag — a full-stack YouTube agency for startups. We help fast-growing companies turn YouTube into a repeatable, results-driven channel with:

• Weekly long- and short-form video production

• YouTube Lives, ad support, and integration into your wider marketing mix

• Strategy-first content that actually builds trust, traction, and proof

From script to publish (and everything in between), we design content systems that scale.

💬 Want to see how YouTube could work for your startup? Book a strategy call and let’s figure it out — no fluff, no pressure.