Importance of Description and Title to a cache?

[+TOGGuideToStuff]

Has anyone ever analyzed the importance of the description and title to the popularity of a cache?

 

I've hid a small amount of caches in the past, and have a few out now. I've always written a description based on the location. For example, I have a cache out that is in a historically relevant area, so I wrote the description with a quick "history" lesson. Ending with a "you are looking for..." I then titled it with something obscure (or funny), but relevant to the location. 

 

I've also been doing this long enough to have seen quite a few different descriptions and titles that just seem either too simple, or overly verbose. 

 

So, my question is mostly, how important is the description and title? Does a description or title entice you to find a cache, or do you just go for something that is close by.

 

J.

[+TheLimeCat]

I like proper nouns in cache titles (Vesper Peak, Gifford Lakes, Forks of Canyon Creek, The Hermit Tree, etc.) Even if the name is invented by the creator, I think these titles are easier to recall. If I'm ever asked about a cache I found in the past, I tend to forget the ones just called, "Stumped?, or "Mossy Tree", or "LPC #34". I think I do tend to pick out caches based on the title sometimes. I usually only read the description once I've decided I'm going there.

[+barefootjeff]

1 hour ago, TOGGuideToStuff said:

So, my question is mostly, how important is the description and title? Does a description or title entice you to find a cache, or do you just go for something that is close by.

 

The first thing I see when a new cache notification email arrives is its title, so yes it helps me decide whether it looks appealing enough to click on it and open the cache page. For my own hides, I go for a title that sets the theme of the cache, for example my recent series of island-themed caches located at The Entrance that I called Entrancing Isles.

 

Obviously for non-traditional caches the description is important for saying what task you need to perform. For traditionals, I like to see something reasonably concise that says what the attraction at GZ is and, for something that isn't a P&G, how best to get there. For higher terrain caches, I'd hope to see something about the terrain I'll have to negotiate so I can come prepared. For example, if the cache is in a tree I like to know beforehand how high up it is so I can decide whether I should be carting my telescopic ladder out there or if it's likely to be beyond my tree-climbing abilities.

 

It annoys me that the description is downplayed so much in the official app, with it relegated almost to the bottom of the screen as if it's an afterthought. For higher terrain caches in particular, the description is the only place the CO can place important information that searchers really ought to be aware of before they attempt it.

Edited November 1, 2024 by barefootjeff

[+cerberus1]

23 hours ago, TOGGuideToStuff said:

So, my question is mostly, how important is the description and title? Does a description or title entice you to find a cache, or do you just go for something that is close by.

 

I go by green on the map, so title doesn't mean much to me.  I'm looking for a good walk or long time out.   

Entering caches singly (and maybe look for a couple around it), I'm real careful about reading descriptions though. Pocket notebooks help.

We have one that's a play on words I guess, "FEW and far between".  A lengthy paddle-to multi on Francis E Walter dam.

By D/T, folks sorta know what they're in for, and our description is more for gear n other opportunities than finding an ammo can.

[+JL_HSTRE]

When the description is very brief it's usually a safe bet the cache and location are equally forgettable. 

[+edexter]

I find not just the title but the entire cache page can often be an indication of the overall quality of the cache.  If the CO has obviously spent time on the appearance and content of the cache page, it can be an indication of similar effort in placing and maintaining the cache.  The opposite is even more likely to be the case.  

edexter

[+Mudfrog]

The title of a cache does make a difference for me. I won't even look at a cache page that has a title that goes something like "Power Trail #38" or "Disney Character- Mickey". Some titles are somewhat vague and that's fine since they usually perk my interest enough to see what they might actually entail. A cache with a good description, maybe a brief summary of the area's history, not too long or detailed, is usually a cache that has more thought put into it and a cache I think I will enjoy finding. Caches with descriptions giving the impression of a potential challenge, maybe the container is hidden well or there's a more difficult terrain, always grab my attention as well.

 

Of course the title is the starting point, I still want to dig in for some of the other important stuff like container size and difficulty ratings. 

 

 

 

 

[+geodarts]

The time has long gone when I could think a cache was placed to take me to a special place or for a special reason — when I could use it to help plan a trip or discover a new trail.   
 

A title and a name — or perhaps a photo— is all there is to get my attention.

[+Sottiwotti]

If the title and the discription look low-effort, I'm probably only going to look for it when I happen to be close by. At GZ, I'm also inclined to not spend a lot of time to look for the cache. I'm not doing this hobby for the big numbers.

 

Like everything in life, a first impression is very important!

[+edexter]

I'm way more interested in finding a "quality" cache than getting another smilie, and a "quality" title is one way to narrow the search.  Unfortunately it's not really something you can screen for, but in my expirience if the Title caches my attention for some reason, I'm more likely to take a look at the cache page.  If the cache page shows some creativity and an actual descrption of cache, I'll look closer.  Glancing at the logs, the Fav Point total and percentages will seal the deal.  Conversely, a clever title for what turns out to be one of 100 power trail caches along the county highway gets an immediate pass from me and in general the description will be generic with perhaps a one sentence description of this particular cache, the logs will be brief or just an identical  cut and paste log (seems appropriate) and no photos.  

I've come to the conclusion that the amount of effort put into the cache page is indicatve of the effort put into the cache. People placing hundreds of nearly identical containers along a stretch of roadway or trail clearly expend a lot of effort to do that, but the "effort per cache" is pretty low and the cache page and titles reflect that.  I think it depends on what type of cache experience you want to create for the finder.  There's little point in putting much effort into the title or the cache page when the caching expirience you are creating is 100 repetitions of drive .1m, walk 50 feet, find, sign or swap a container, walk back 50 feet.  Why spend more than a minute creating the cache page when the whole find takes a minute?  Power trail fans are interested in the numbers not the narrative.  

[+Nite*Owls]

I love the titles of caches. I'll even go after some just because it has a neat title. I also wish they'd still allow challenge caches that use titles, those are a lot of fun to see if you qualify, and to work towards it if you don't. Adds a little more fun to the titles! Like find 25 caches with the word Christmas in the title, etc. But rules always end up ruining a lot of the fun since these aren't allowed anymore. Such a shame...

[+CAVinoGal]

On 11/7/2024 at 6:50 AM, edexter said:

I find not just the title but the entire cache page can often be an indication of the overall quality of the cache.  If the CO has obviously spent time on the appearance and content of the cache page, it can be an indication of similar effort in placing and maintaining the cache.  The opposite is even more likely to be the case.  

edexter

 

We (hubby and I) do spend some time and effort in our hides, and in the write ups on the cache pages.  We cache under separate names, find many caches together, but do cache separately on occasion, and we each have our own hides to maintain.  We DO collaborate on the write ups, and work together on the hides, and there are a few cachers out there who recognize the effort we have put in.  We appreciate caches we find that have had that same effort invested in both the cache page and the hide itself.

 

We also try to come up with unique and catchy titles to pique interest!!  So I would say, as a rule for US, that cache title and description are quite important.