The headline decides whether the piece gets read
Before judging the content, readers judge the headline. In under two seconds, it decides whether a click is worth it. Even great writing goes unread if the headline doesn't do its job.
The difference between curiosity and clickbait
Clickbait promises something the piece doesn't deliver — and that breaks reader trust fast. A good headline sparks genuine curiosity about content that actually exists and lives up to what it promises.
Be specific
'Productivity tips' is vague. '5 ways to write faster without losing quality' already tells the reader exactly what they'll find. Specificity usually beats cleverness.