Is that headline playing you?

Paste any news headline. Headline Lab flags curiosity gaps, loaded words, ALL CAPS and other clickbait tricks, highlights them in the text and suggests a calmer way to say it.

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Waiting for a headline

Type or paste a headline to see its score from 0 (straight) to 100 (pure clickbait).

Results appear here once you enter a headline. Nothing leaves your browser.

Read meter: how long, and who says so?

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Attributions are phrases like “said”, “according to” or “told reporters”. A long story with none is worth a second look.

Check a story in four moves (SIFT)

  1. StopNotice your reaction. A headline that makes you angry or amazed is the one to check before you share.
  2. Investigate the sourceWho published it? Look up the outlet or author in a new tab instead of trusting its own “About” page.
  3. Find better coverageSearch the key claim. If major outlets or fact-checkers report it differently, trust the consensus over one post.
  4. Trace claimsFollow quotes, images and statistics back to the original report, study or video and read them in context.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Headline Lab score a headline?

It looks for common clickbait patterns: curiosity-gap phrases ("you won't believe", "here's why"), vague openers like "This" or "They", emotional and absolute words, ALL CAPS, stacked punctuation, question headlines and emoji. Specific facts such as numbers, dates and named attribution lower the score. The result is a rough guide, not a verdict on whether a story is true.

Does a high score mean the story is fake?

No. A sensational headline can sit on top of accurate reporting, and a calm headline can sit on top of a false claim. Use the score as a reminder to slow down, then open the story and check who is speaking, what the evidence is, and whether other outlets report the same thing.

What is the SIFT method?

SIFT is a four-step routine for checking information online: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims back to the original context. It was developed by digital-literacy educator Mike Caulfield and is widely taught in schools and libraries.

How is reading time calculated?

The Read meter counts the words you paste and divides by about 238 words per minute, a common average for adult silent reading of non-fiction. It also counts sentences, quotes and attribution phrases such as "said" or "according to".

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. Everything runs in your browser. The headline and text you paste are not uploaded to our server or stored.

Is this site ARY News?

No. Theary News Lab is an independent news-literacy project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to ARY News, ARY Digital Network or any broadcaster, and it does not publish breaking news.

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