Headline Analyzer

Most people read the headline and nothing else — on search results, social feeds and blog listings, the headline decides whether the click happens at all. The good news is that strong headlines share measurable traits, and this analyzer checks yours against the ones with the best evidence behind them: length, word count, the presence of a number, power words that signal concrete value, and positive sentiment.

The score out of 100 is weighted by impact. Length in the 40–70 character band earns the most points, because headlines in that range display fully in search results and email clients while carrying enough substance to persuade; 50–60 characters is the sweet spot. Six to twelve words earns the next tranche — enough to make a specific promise, short enough to scan. A number adds points because digits stop the scrolling eye and promise structured, finishable content ('7 ways…'). Power words like proven, essential, simple or free add persuasive weight, and opening with a digit or asking a question earns the final bonus.

Treat the score as a drafting aid, not a verdict. Write five to ten variants, score them all, and shortlist the top two or three — then pick the one that best matches what the content actually delivers, because a brilliant headline over a disappointing article trains readers to ignore you. The traits measured here are correlations from large studies of high-performing headlines, and your audience is the final judge: when the stakes are high, A/B test the top candidates in the channel where they'll run.