Email Subject Showdown

A bakery's regulars, a law firm's clients, sneaker fans, tired new parents: each round tells you who gets the email and what it's about, then shows two subject lines. Pick the one more of them would open. After each pick you see made-up example open rates and the email-marketing principle behind the winner.

12 duels
Email marketing

How to play

Read the audience. Who gets the email and what it's about. The same trick can win with one crowd and flop with another.
Pick a subject line. Tap the one more people would open, or press A / B (← / →).
Learn why. Every answer shows the principle behind it, with made-up example open rates.
Score. 100 per right pick, up to 50 for speed and up to 50 for a streak. A wrong pick or the clock costs one of 3 lives.

Quick tips

Start with the reader. Ask what this audience is waiting for. A shopper wants their tracking number, not a clever pun.
Front-load the point. Phones often show only the first 30 to 40 characters. Put the offer or the news first.

3 more tips in the Email Subject Showdown guide →