How to Write a Great Headline (That Gets Clicks)
A great headline is the most important part of your article. It's the first thing readers see, and it determines whether they'll click through to read your content. Studies show that on average, 8 out of 10 people will read your headline, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest of your article. That's why crafting the perfect headline is crucial for content creators, marketers, and bloggers.
The best headlines are those that promise value, create curiosity, or solve a problem. They use power words that evoke emotion, keep the message concise, and target the right keywords for search engine optimization. Whether you're writing for a blog, social media, or email marketing campaigns, understanding headline psychology can dramatically improve your click-through rates.
1. Use Power Words
Power words evoke emotion and compel readers to take action. These are words that trigger psychological responses and make your headline more engaging. Examples include: "amazing," "secrets," "ultimate," "proven," "instant," "free," and "guaranteed."
Research has shown that headlines containing power words receive up to 200% more clicks than those without. They work because they tap into basic human desires: the need for security, social validation, achievement, and convenience. When crafting your headline, consider which emotions you want to evoke and choose power words accordingly.
2. Keep it Concise
The ideal length for a headline is between 50-70 characters. This length ensures your headline displays fully in search engine results and social media feeds without being truncated. Search engines like Google typically display 50-60 characters of your title tag, so keeping it within this range improves visibility.
However, the optimal length can vary depending on the platform. Twitter headlines should be even shorter (around 50 characters), while Facebook and LinkedIn allow for slightly longer headlines (up to 70 characters). Our headline analyzer automatically checks if your headline falls within the optimal range.
3. Create Curiosity Gaps
A curiosity gap is created when your headline hints at valuable information without revealing everything. This psychological phenomenon makes readers feel they're missing out on something important, compelling them to click to close that gap. Phrases like "The Secret to...," "What Nobody Tells You About...," or "Why [Something] Works (And What Doesn't)" are effective at creating curiosity gaps.
4. Use Numbers and Lists
Headlines with numbers consistently perform better than those without. Numbers promise specific, actionable content and suggest the article is scannable and easy to digest. Odd numbers (3, 5, 7, 9) tend to perform slightly better than even numbers. Examples: "7 Ways to..." or "15 Secrets of..." are more compelling than vague headlines.
5. Include Keywords Strategically
For SEO purposes, your headline should include the primary keyword you're targeting, preferably near the beginning. However, never sacrifice readability for keyword stuffing. The headline should feel natural and compelling to human readers first, while still being optimized for search engines.
How Our Headline Analyzer Works
Our free headline analyzer runs your headline through several automated checks to provide an instant score and actionable feedback. Here's what we analyze:
- Length: We check if your headline falls within the optimal 50-70 character range. Headlines that are too short may lack context, while those that are too long risk being truncated in search results and social media feeds.
- Sentiment: Our analyzer checks for positive power words that can increase engagement. Positive sentiment in headlines has been shown to improve click-through rates by up to 25%.
- Keywords: We verify that your headline contains substantive keywords that add value. Keywords help with SEO and ensure your headline communicates the core topic clearly.
- Structure: We analyze the overall structure to ensure your headline is clear and compelling. Well-structured headlines typically have a subject, action, and benefit or outcome.
Our scoring algorithm weighs these factors to give you a score out of 100. Scores above 70 are generally considered strong, while scores above 85 are excellent. Use this feedback to refine your headlines before publishing.
Common Headline Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced writers make headline mistakes. Here are the most common pitfalls:
- Being too vague: Headlines like "Check This Out" don't tell readers what to expect and perform poorly.
- Keyword stuffing: Overloading your headline with keywords makes it read unnaturally and can hurt both readability and SEO.
- Clickbait: While curiosity is good, misleading headlines that don't deliver on their promise damage trust and hurt long-term engagement.
- Ignoring your audience: The best headline for a technical audience differs from one for general readers. Know your audience and write accordingly.
- Forgetting mobile users: Many readers will see your headline on mobile devices. Test how it looks on smaller screens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this headline tool really free?
Yes, the basic headline analyzer is 100% free to use. You can analyze unlimited headlines without any registration or payment required. Our Pro version offers additional features like AI-powered suggestions, A/B testing recommendations, and historical performance tracking, but the core analysis tool remains free forever.
What is headline sentiment analysis?
Sentiment analysis detects if your headline has a positive, negative, or neutral tone. Positive headlines (those containing words like "amazing," "best," "proven") tend to perform better because they promise value and create excitement. However, context matters—negative sentiment can work well for problem-solving content or warnings.
How accurate is the headline score?
Our scoring algorithm is based on research from content marketing experts and data from millions of headlines. While no automated tool can guarantee viral success, headlines scoring above 70 typically perform well across most platforms. The score should be used as a guide alongside your own editorial judgment.
Should I optimize for SEO or clicks?
The best headlines balance both. Include your primary keyword near the beginning for SEO, but ensure the headline is compelling enough to get clicks. Remember, even perfect SEO won't help if nobody clicks through. Use our tool to check both aspects and refine until you find the right balance for your content.
Can I use this for social media posts?
Absolutely! While the optimal length varies slightly by platform (Twitter prefers shorter headlines, LinkedIn allows longer ones), our analyzer provides general guidelines that work across platforms. For best results, create platform-specific variations and test which perform best with your audience.
Does the tool work for email subject lines?
Yes! Email subject lines follow many of the same principles as headlines. However, email subject lines often perform best at 30-50 characters to avoid truncation in email clients. Our tool's length feedback can help you stay within these limits while maintaining clarity and impact.
Pro Tip: The best headlines often come from testing multiple variations. Use our free analyzer to test 3-5 different versions of your headline before publishing. Track which variations get the most clicks and engagement, and use those insights to improve your future headlines.