Avoid Using Puns: They Detract from Your Content Quality
In the world of content marketing, the use of puns is a topic that has sparked much debate. Unlike irony, sarcasm, or other forms of humour, puns do not make a point or help a brand's message. In fact, they can often be misunderstood or distracting, and may detract from the core message.
This notion was inspired by an article discussing the concept of paying to use other people's toilets. Instead of relying on puns to entertain, it is recommended to use humor in the form of metaphors, satire, or explanations that add value to the content.
Charlie Hopper, writing for McSweeney's, shares a similar sentiment, stating that puns are rarely funny. He describes them as distracting and not helpful in furthering a conversation or providing deeper understanding.
The Clear Voice blog advises against the use of puns in content marketing primarily because they can create confusion rather than connection. Puns often rely on wordplay that might not resonate universally and can be misinterpreted by algorithms, leading to less effective search optimization.
The use of puns is discouraged as it lowers the standards of the content. Psychological studies and online forums exist that discuss why people dislike puns. The brand Airpnp and the New York Post, for example, wasted time with a pun-filled article, as the forced puns distracted the reader and prevented the main point from being received.
The example of an article about building a business around using other people's toilets illustrates this point well. The article was filled with puns, including references to "poo pourri" and a "pee-ramid scheme." While these puns may have been intended to be humorous, they detracted from the main point and left the reader feeling confused.
In content marketing, puns are not recommended due to being a waste of time. They are considered the worst form of humor, regardless of the argument being presented. Instead, it is recommended to focus on humor that is funnier, smarter, and more sophisticated, such as classic works of satire or humorous articles from The Onion.
In conclusion, while puns may seem like an easy way to add a bit of humor to content, they can often do more harm than good. To ensure clarity, universal comprehension, and SEO-friendliness, it is best to avoid the use of puns in content marketing.
Books on content marketing often advise against using puns, citing their potential to create confusion rather than connection. They argue that such humor is not only less effective in search optimization but also rarely funny and can detract from the core message, serving as a distraction instead.
Entertainment through metaphors, satire, or explanations that add value to the content is recommended instead, as these forms of humor can be funnier, smarter, and more sophisticated, enhancing the clarity and universal comprehension of the content.
