Headline formula
Imperative headlines
Based on 1031 top-chart iOS apps analyzed in August 2026.
The formula
A headline that opens with a verb and tells the user what to do. It accounts for 31% of the headlines in our corpus.
Typical shape: "Track every subscription", "Make a plan for your spending".
When to use it
- The second most common formula overall: direct, active, and short by construction.
- Works best on feature slides where the action is the feature ("Scan any document").
- A whole set of imperatives reads bossy; alternate with benefit statements.
Adoption by category
1031 headlines from live top-chart screenshot sets.
| Games | 67% |
| Health & Fitness | 42% |
| Navigation | 40% |
| Food & Drink | 39% |
| Social Networking | 35% |
| Books | 34% |
| Lifestyle | 34% |
| Photo & Video | 32% |
Real examples by category
headlines pulled from live top-chart screenshot sets:
Books
- “Find and subscribe to your favorites.”
- “READ YOUR ADVENTURES”
- “KILL TIME WITH HUNDREDS OF GENRES”
Business
- “SCAN to PDF, JPG or TXT”
- “EDIT and sign PDFs”
- “SHARE via email and cloud”
Developer Tools
- “Track important status updates in one place”
- “Manage your app across Apple platforms”
- “Promote your app with exciting marketing assets”
Education
- “Customize unique characters with Character Creator!”
- “Decorate houses in Home Designer”
- “Roleplay your dream life!”
Entertainment
- “Join the conversation with community chats”
- “Explore creators' curated collections”
- “Get to know other fans”
Finance
- “Level up your investing strategy”
- “Skip debt and pay cash”
- “Find your "Cost to Be Me"”
Food & Drink
- “PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR PICKUP OR DELIVERY”
- “YOUR WINGS YOUR WAY”
- “BECOME A MEMBER”
Games
- “WIN MAX BATTLES”
- “RAID WITH TRAINERS”
- “CATCH POKÉMON”
Graphics & Design
- “Add motion to flat images”
- “Generate Similar images”
- “Insert generated objects”
Health & Fitness
- “Set Your Daily Goal”
- “Build a Streak”
- “Challenge Friends”
Lifestyle
- “Set profiles for the family”
- “Start, Lock & Unlock Your Ford”
- “Track Your Vehicle”
Medical
- “Send and receive secure files”
- “Securely take notes or message a teammate”
- “Customize message templates”
Music
- “Listen to your favorite podcasts”
- “Watch Exclusive Concert Livestreams”
- “Discover New Bands, Follow your Favorites”
Navigation
- “Set notifications for delays & arrivals”
- “Add stops”
- “Optimize”
News
- “Get lifesaving, real-time alerts”
- “Know what's really happening”
- “Hear police & fire radios”
Photo & Video
- “Share stories anywhere”
- “Go viral everywhere”
- “Share photos and videos”
Productivity
- “Choose the right words”
- “Strike the right tone”
- “Make it more engaging”
Reference
- “Press Play on Scripture”
- “Translate with Camera”
- “Scan and Search quickly”
Shopping
- “SHOP THE LATEST INNOVATIONS FROM NIKE”
- “LATEST DROPS Explore new collections & classic styles”
- “Cash out for gift cards”
Social Networking
- “Let's vibe together”
- “Show off your style”
- “Filter the noise”
Sports
- “Record your rounds”
- “Measure your throws”
- “Save your disc golf history”
Travel
- “Experience the Magic”
- “Find Your Plans And Add To the Fun”
- “Explore the Magic Inside the Parks”
Utilities
- “Prank Spammers, Waste Their Time”
- “Protect Your Personal Data. Clean Up Your Leaked Information”
- “Set screen time limits”
Weather
- “Explore air quality near you and worldwide”
- “Plan your day ahead”
- “Follow major cities' pollution ranking”
Other formulas
See all headline formulas, up to three per category.
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