Have an idea for a topic that doesn’t exist on Helium? You can suggest a new title.

Here’s how to use the “Suggest a title” process:

• Click on the “Write” tab in the top navigation bar on the Helium page.
• On the “Write menu” page, select the “Suggest a Title” option.
• On the “Suggest a new title” page, fill in the fields for your new title, keywords, and a search phrase. Be sure to read the tips and suggestions on this page. (Do not use your name or any identifying information.)
• Once all three fields are filled out, you’ll see a “Next” button in the bottom right. Click that.

• A list of potentially duplicate titles will now appear. If you do find a duplicate title, Click the “Write now” button and you can submit an article immediately to that existing title. If you don’t, you may click “Submit” and your new title will be sent to our team for review before being accepted.
• If you find titles that are close, but not quite, you can click “Refine search” to clear your suggested title above, write a different one and try a duplicates search again

But be forewarned: Your title must be approved through a review process. This takes time. New titles are evaluated by our team to ensure that they are consistent with Helium style and that duplicate titles aren’t created.

Be sure to read Helium’s Writing Standards.

Tips for writing titles, keywords and search phrases

When you initiate a new title on Helium, you will be required to write a title and keywords along with your article. You will also be given the opportunity to create a search phrase that will be used to generate the URL of your article. To write each of these well, it is important to give particular attention to the nature of Internet search engines. Titles should be compelling and searchable, while keywords should encompass the key information that the title refers to. Search phrases should closely resemble what a reader would enter into a search engine to find your article. Really, it’s not as bad as it sounds.

Here are some guidelines to maximize search results with your title and keywords and search phrase:

• Titles should be informative and engaging: The title tells readers and search engines what to expect when the article is read, a promise of what’s to come.
• Be clear: State your article topic clearly in the title, not with a clever play on words such as you often see in magazines and newspapers.
• Be precise: If you mean “fingernails (or toenails)” then say so; don’t say just “nails.” The average carpenter probably won’t paint his nails, but you never know. Be specific enough to avoid confusion. You’ll almost always get a better search ranking with more precise information.
• Try to write your title as a statement, not a question (unless it’s a debate title). But if it is a question, then add a question mark at the end.
• For debate titles, you must present the two sides of an argument (i.e., Yes/No or Pro/Con). Then your own article should support only one side of your proposed debate title.
• Use common keywords and key phrases: Stick with popularly used and searched words and expressions that are in your title or that are directly related. Don’t use words and phrases that are remotely related to the title or may be applicable to your article only.
• Don’t overdo it with your keywords: A few key phrases that encapsulate what’s in your title are perfect. You can even take them directly from your title. Don’t use prepositions, verbs and adjectives as single keywords.
• Do NOT add your pen name, real name or identifying information as keywords or in your search phrase.
• For creative writing titles, read our section on creative writing submissions.