The Secret to Writing Killer Product Titles

You’ve got something to sell. Maybe it’s that barely-used treadmill collecting dust in your garage, a couch you’ve outgrown, or a phone upgrade that left your old device homeless. So, you list it on Facebook Marketplace. You snap a decent photo, toss together a quick title like “Nice Couch – Cheap,” hit publish… and then? Crickets.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the deal: if your product title sucks, your listing won’t get views. And without views, you won’t get messages—let alone a sale.

So what’s the fix? It all comes down to writing a killer product title. Not a decent one. Not a “maybe-this-will-do” one. A title that stops the scroll, grabs attention, and makes buyers click.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the secret formula to writing product titles that actually work—on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, or pretty much any platform. By the end, you’ll know how to write listings that get found, get noticed, and get sold.

Let’s dive in.

Why Product Titles Matter More Than You Think

Let’s get one thing straight—your title is your first impression. It’s the thing buyers see before they even glance at your description or photos.

A great title can:

• Help your item show up in search results

• Convince buyers to click your listing

• Set the tone and expectations for what you’re selling

On the flip side, a vague or lazy title will tank your chances before you even get started.

Want proof? Scroll through Facebook Marketplace for a few minutes. You’ll spot:

• “Nice stuff cheap”

• “Selling this”

• “Works great, must go”

And then you’ll see something like:

• “Samsung 55” Smart 4K UHD TV – Model TU7000 – Great Condition”

Guess which one gets clicked?

Exactly.

The Anatomy of a Killer Product Title

Okay, let’s break this down. A high-performing title has five main ingredients:

1. Brand Name

If your item has a recognizable brand, put it front and center. People search by brand. It builds trust instantly.

Examples:

• Apple

• IKEA

• Samsung

• Honda

• Graco

Bad: “Used laptop for sale”
Good: “Dell Inspiron 15” Laptop – 256GB SSD – Windows 11”

2. Model or Product Type

Get specific. What exactly are you selling? Is it a futon? A DSLR camera? A blender?

Be clear. People don’t buy “stuff”—they buy things they can search for.

Bad: “Microwave”
Good: “Panasonic Stainless Steel Microwave – 1200W – NN-SN686S”

3. Key Features or Specs

This is where you shine. Mention things that matter to buyers—size, storage, condition, color, or compatibility.

Ask yourself: what would you want to know?

Bad: “Phone for sale”
Good: “iPhone 13 Pro Max – 256GB – Unlocked – Like New – Graphite”

4. Condition

Buyers want to know what kind of shape it’s in. Is it brand new? Gently used? Refurbished? Mention it in the title if it helps your case.

Bad: “Gaming Console”
Good: “PS5 Disc Edition – Like New – Includes Controller & Box”

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5. Use Powerful, Buyer-Friendly Words

Use simple, attractive words that boost confidence:

• “Like New”

• “Gently Used”

• “Works Perfectly”

• “With Accessories”

• “Fully Functional”

• “Pet-Free / Smoke-Free Home”

These tiny tweaks help listings stand out and ease buyer hesitation.

The Killer Product Title Formula

Let’s piece it together into a plug-and-play formula:

[Brand] + [Item Type/Model] + [Key Specs/Size/Color] + [Condition or Bonus Info]

Examples:

• “Samsung 65” QLED Smart TV – 4K UHD – Model Q70A – Excellent Condition”

• “IKEA Hemnes Queen Bed Frame – White – Sturdy & Clean – $120 OBO”

• “Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera – 18-55mm Lens – Like New – With Bag & Charger”

See the difference? Each title:

• Tells you exactly what’s being sold

• Uses searchable words

• Builds buyer confidence

Common Mistakes That Ruin Product Titles

Let’s make sure you’re not sabotaging your own sales. Here are a few mistakes to avoid:

❌ Using Vague Language

Don’t say “Great deal!” or “Must go!”—that doesn’t tell people what it is.

❌ Not Including Keywords

If someone searches “queen bed,” and your title just says “Nice frame,” you won’t show up.

❌ Keyword Stuffing

Don’t dump every possible word into your title. Keep it clean and focused.

Bad: “Sofa couch furniture IKEA used chair brown loveseat seating cheap”
Good: “IKEA EKTORP Sofa – 3-Seater – Beige – Washable Covers – Good Condition”

❌ Writing in All Caps

It’s hard to read and screams spam. Use sentence case or capitalize each word properly.

How to Find the Right Keywords for Your Product Title

Don’t overthink this. You don’t need an SEO tool—just a little smart research.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Search for your item on Marketplace
   See what similar listings say. What titles show up first? Borrow ideas from top-performing posts.

2. Use autocomplete
   Go to Facebook Marketplace and start typing your item. Watch what suggestions pop up—those are actual searches buyers use.

3. Think like a buyer
   If you were searching for your item, what would you type in? Include that phrase in your title.

Quickfire Title Makeovers (Before & After)

Let’s put it into practice. Check out these quick transformations:

Before: “Nice Couch”
After: “Ashley Furniture 3-Seater Couch – Gray Fabric – Excellent Condition”

Before: “Bike For Sale”
After: “Schwinn Hybrid Bike – 21 Speed – 700c Wheels – Lightweight Frame”

Before: “Laptop”
After: “MacBook Air M1 – 13” – 512GB SSD – Space Gray – Like New”

Before: “Used Bed”
After: “Queen Memory Foam Mattress + Platform Bed Frame – Smoke-Free Home”

Each “after” tells you exactly what the item is, what it looks like, and why it's worth clicking on.

Bonus Tips for Title Optimization

Want to go the extra mile? Try these:

✅ Use Numbers and Specifics

Numbers pop visually and provide clarity. Use size, model numbers, storage capacity, etc.

Example: “Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Headphones – Black – Excellent”

✅ Mention Pickup Area

If location is a selling point, include it.

Example: “Modern Bookshelf – Solid Wood – Pickup in Downtown Houston”

✅ Add Emojis (Sparingly)

A well-placed emoji can catch the eye. Just don’t overdo it.

Example: “💻 Dell Inspiron 15 – 256GB SSD – Windows 11 – Like New”

How Titles Impact Search Results (Yes, It’s SEO!)

Facebook Marketplace uses an algorithm to show listings based on keywords, location, and engagement. If your title doesn’t include the words someone searches for, your item won’t be shown—even if it’s a perfect match.

So yes, writing great titles = doing basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

And guess what? You don’t need to be an expert to do it well. You just need to be specific, clear, and buyer-focused.

Conclusion: Words Sell—Make Yours Count

At the end of the day, your product title is the gateway to your sale. It’s the first thing a buyer sees, and it can make or break your success.

So here’s the secret, plain and simple:

• Be clear.

• Be specific.

• Use searchable words.

• Highlight what matters.

Don’t write for you—write for the buyer. What would they search? What words would catch their eye?

Use this guide as your blueprint, and you’ll go from “no views” to “item sold” a whole lot faster.

Now go write that killer title—and start making sales.