Quick Answer
For search, voice, and "just tell me what to do".
Use AI to generate headline families, score them with strict criteria, then run a small test to confirm which headline creates action.
Key Takeaways:
- Headlines are promises + specificity.
- Ranking works when criteria are strict.
- Test with real behavior, not opinions.
- Keep a library of winning structures.
Playbook
Define criteria: clarity, specificity, audience fit, differentiation, believability.
Ask AI for 100 headlines across 5 styles (direct, contrarian, story, outcome, mechanism).
Have AI score each headline against your criteria and explain why.
Pick top 5 and test on a landing page or email.
Save the winning pattern for future campaigns.
Common Pitfalls
- Choosing the cleverest headline instead of the clearest.
- Testing headlines without matching page copy.
- Ignoring believability and proof.
Metrics to Track
Landing page CTR
Signup rate
Sales page conversion
Scroll depth
FAQ
What makes a headline high-converting?
Clarity, specificity, and relevance to the reader's problem-plus a believable mechanism or proof signal.
Should I use curiosity headlines?
Sometimes. They can boost clicks but may reduce conversions if the page doesn't deliver quickly. Test against direct clarity headlines.
Where should I test headlines first?
Email subject lines and landing page hero headlines are the fastest places to gather signal with minimal engineering work.
Related Reading
Next: browse the hub or explore AI Operations.