Headline A/B Tester
Compare 2-5 headlines side-by-side. Scores each across 7 factors and picks the winner.
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How to Use
- Enter 2-5 Headlines — Type your headline options in the input fields. You start with 3 fields — click "+ Add Headline" for up to 5 total. Remove extras with the X button.
- Click Compare — Each headline is scored across 7 factors: word count, character length, power words, emotional words, uncommon words, question format, and number presence. Scores are out of 100 with a letter grade (A+ to F).
- Pick the Winner — The highest-scoring headline is highlighted as the winner. Side-by-side cards show the detailed breakdown for each headline so you can see exactly why one scored higher. Copy the results for your records.
About the Headline A/B Tester
WritePadPro's Headline A/B Tester lets you compare multiple headline options side-by-side using the same scoring algorithm. Instead of testing one headline at a time, enter 2-5 options and instantly see which one scores highest — with a detailed breakdown showing exactly why.
The 7-Factor Scoring System
- Word Count (15 pts) — 6-12 words is ideal for headlines. Shorter lacks context, longer loses attention.
- Character Length (15 pts) — 40-65 characters works best for Google title tags (truncates at ~60) and social media shares.
- Power Words (20 pts) — Persuasive words that trigger action: "proven", "essential", "ultimate", "exclusive", "guaranteed". 30 power words in the database.
- Emotional Words (15 pts) — Words that evoke feeling: "love", "fear", "amazing", "inspiring", "thrilled". Headlines with emotional triggers get higher CTR.
- Uncommon Words (15 pts) — The ratio of distinctive vocabulary to common words. Headlines with unique language stand out more in feeds.
- Question Format (10 pts) — Headlines phrased as questions ("How to...", "Why do...?") tend to generate curiosity and higher click-through rates.
- Number Presence (10 pts) — Headlines with numbers ("7 Ways", "Top 10", "3 Secrets") consistently outperform innumerate headlines in A/B tests.
How to Use the Results
The winner is highlighted at the top with a green border and trophy icon. Each headline card shows the letter grade, total score bar, and a per-factor breakdown with score bars and specific feedback. Use the feedback to improve lower-scoring headlines — for example, if a headline scores 0 on "Contains Number", try adding a number to it and re-comparing.
Real A/B Testing vs Score-Based Testing
This tool uses predictive scoring based on research into what makes headlines effective. It is not a substitute for real A/B testing with actual traffic (which platforms like Google Optimize or Facebook Ads provide). However, score-based testing lets you narrow down from many options to 2-3 strong candidates before investing in real traffic tests. Use this tool first to pick your top options, then A/B test the winners with real users.
Privacy
All scoring uses client-side JavaScript with embedded word databases. Your headline ideas are never sent to any server, stored, or shared. This is important for content teams working on unreleased campaigns, product launches, or confidential marketing materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is each headline scored?
Seven weighted factors: Word Count (15 pts — ideal 6-12 words), Character Length (15 pts — ideal 40-65 chars for Google), Power Words (20 pts — words like "proven", "essential", "ultimate"), Emotional Words (15 pts — words that trigger feelings), Uncommon Words (15 pts — percentage of non-common vocabulary), Question Format (10 pts — headlines with "?" get a bonus), Numbers (10 pts — headlines with digits like "7 Ways" or "Top 10"). Total: 100 points.
What are power words?
Power words are persuasive words that trigger a psychological response. The tool checks for 30 power words including: proven, secret, ultimate, essential, exclusive, powerful, instant, guaranteed, remarkable, surprising, shocking, incredible, breakthrough, revolutionary, massive, brilliant, genius, and stunning. Each power word found adds 8 points up to a maximum of 20.
What is the ideal headline length?
For SEO and click-through optimization: 6-12 words and 40-65 characters. Google displays approximately 60 characters in title tags. Headlines under 6 words often lack enough context, while headlines over 12 words tend to lose reader attention. The tool scores highest for headlines in this ideal range.
How is this different from the Headline Analyzer?
The Headline Analyzer (in the homepage tool) scores ONE headline at a time. This A/B Tester lets you enter 2-5 headlines and compare them SIDE BY SIDE with the same scoring system. It ranks them, highlights the winner, and shows detailed breakdowns so you can see exactly why one headline beats another. Use it to pick the best option from multiple drafts.
What do the letter grades mean?
A+ (85-100): Exceptional headline with strong power words, ideal length, and engaging format. A (75-84): Very strong. B+ (65-74): Good with room for improvement. B (55-64): Decent. C+ (45-54): Below average. C (35-44): Weak. D (25-34): Poor. F (under 25): Needs complete rewrite.
Is this tool connected to any service?
No. All scoring uses client-side JavaScript with built-in word databases. Your headlines are never sent to any server. The power word, emotional word, and common word lists are embedded in the code.