Writing Better Headlines Just Got Easier With This Tiny Tool
HeadlineX
One of those little experiments turned into HeadlineX, a simple headline analyzer that tries to be helpful.
I like building things that help me with my writing business. This is one.
What This Tool Does
HeadlineX is a lightweight and simple headline analyzer that gives us some insights into our headline and some suggestions to improve.
Here’s what it tells you:
Click Value
This is the main score, 1 to 10, and it captures overall headline strength. The system looks for patterns that tend to lead to higher engagement. Not hype, simply readability plus promise plus clarity. When this number is high, the headline usually stands on solid ground.
Human vs AI Origin
Search engines and readers both react to this, whether we like it or not. AI headlines often feel too even, too symmetrical, too safe. Human ones have angles, little imperfections, or sharper details. The origin flag is a small vibe check before we publish.
SEO Score
This looks at length, keywords, and structure. Search engines secretly love headlines in the 50 to 60 character range. Long ones get chopped on mobile. Short ones often miss context. The tool points us to the sweet spot without turning writing into keyword stuffing.
Clarity
A headline should tell readers what they’ll get. Not everything, just enough to decide if it’s worth their time. High clarity usually means fewer metaphors, fewer puzzles, and more clean information.
Word Balance
The system checks common words, uncommon ones, emotional signals, and so-called “power words.” A balanced mix tends to feel natural. When one category dominates, the headline starts reading like spam or, worse, a YouTube thumbnail.
Curiosity Gap
Readers like a little mystery. Not too much. Not too little. The sweet zone is around 50 to 70. This score shows how well the headline pulls someone in without tricking them.
Specificity
Concrete details always win. Numbers, timeframes, specific outcomes. They anchor the promise of the article. Abstract headlines feel airy. Specific ones feel confident.
Clickbait Risk
No one wants to feel tricked. This score checks whether the headline overpromises or uses sensational phrasing. Low risk is great because credibility compounds.
Reader Value
This measures how clearly the headline communicates a benefit. Strong headlines let readers immediately know what they gain by clicking.
Readability
The grade level should ideally sit between 5 and 8. Not because readers lack intelligence, but because simple language wins in busy environments where decisions happen in half a second.
Why I Built It
The real reason is simple, I wanted a headline tool for myself :-D
Something that helps me improve my headlines. And, fine, I also just enjoy coding again. It’s fun. It’s grounding.
And I need more small, useful projects for writers built by people who actually write.
The Bottom Line
If you want, give HeadlineX a try.
It’s free and doesn’t track anything.
If you do, give me some feedback. How do you like it? How did it work with your headlines? What could be improved? It’s the first version. I bet there are many things to improve and add.