title Factor

Starts With Number

Whether the title begins with a digit — almost always signaling a listicle or countable claim (e.g. '5 Reasons...', '10 Things...').

Starting with a number is the most recognizable listicle cue on the platform. BuzzFeed trained a whole generation of viewers to click these. But the format doesn't always translate to political content — audiences can perceive it as gimmicky when the subject is serious.

Regular Videos
-56%
statistically significant · p = 0.002
Shorts
-20%
not significant · p = 0.214
Top 10% Video
-68%
statistically significant · p < 0.001

Average Video shows the effect on a typical video. Top 10% Video shows the effect on videos in the top 10% of views — estimated via quantile regression, so you can see whether a factor helps most videos a little, or pushes the top performers much higher.

When present

The title begins with a digit, typically opening a listicle.

Videos with this factor

5K views
2K views

When absent

The title begins with a word or phrase, not a number.

Videos without this factor