Clickbait
Click is a type of content that encourages the reader of content to click the link of the particular web page. Its main purpose is to attract a greater number of readers and visitors. It basically creates a sensation in the visitor or user to follow a link and read the online content. This content is written in such a way that they make visitors curious and visitors want to read more about that topic but there is nothing related to internet content in it. The curiosity of visitors is not satisfied until they click the linked content. It adds the element of dishonesty as there isn’t any content in the link which is of visitor’s interest
Definition of Clickbait:
Content designed to persuade visitors to click on a hyperlink that leads to the content that is of uncertain values and interest.
“Clickbait is a form of fraud“
It’s a technique of the modern era. A new version of the old bait-and-switch that was used to attract customers in fraudulent ways.
Uses of Clickbait:
Clickbait is primarily used to increase the visits and clicks on the web pages to increase the online revenue of advertisements. It can be used to spread malicious information in public. It can be used to steal personal information. Its a common issue that different you tubers who have millions of subscribers receive an email and they are asked to click a link and as soon as they click the link all their information is hacked and their channels are banned. It is used on political ends to defame their competitors.
Strategies:
Different strategies are adopted for clickbait like headlines of news and articles are written in a way that create a sensation in the reader and that encourages the user to click the link. Artificial intelligence and algos that most of the browsers use to find the interest of users by observing their daily activities on the browser then they present the images and link to the users that are of their interest, it’s an easy way to trap the user to click the link. Today online earning is getting hype so “How to make money online” is a very easy way to get clicks.
Examples of Clickbait:
” Click below to discover”
” To know more click the link below”
lines like these are most of the clickbait.
Invention of Clickbait :
In 2006, in an article, Jay Geiger first used the word clickbait so the invention of this credit goes to Jay Geiger. Click refers to the action that the user performs through his/her keyboard or mouse and bait is what encourages the user.
Reasons why clickbait is worst
- It will damage the brand trust
- It damages the trust of loyal customers
- It will attract wrong that has no interest in your content that will increase the bounce rate of your website and its not good website health as browser algorithm hate those websites that has high bounce rate
- It will disappoint you audience
- Clickbait has become old now
Reasons Why is clickbait is good
There are some reasons that clickbait performs an effective role in attracting the reader’s attention.
It works because it has the ability to trap the true emotions of the user and the ability to create curiosity.
Everyone wants to know
“how to earn quickly”
” how to get more followers” the above two examples given are psychological feelings to want more about the desired topics.
Clickbait headlines are structured in a way that makes readers feel that they want to know more, it creates more learning desire in readers.
When clickbait is done in an effective and right way on a trust basis it drives a handsome amount of traffic on the desired link but if you are misusing it then the reader will just click one time and if it’s not what he wants then you lost your one reader. If readers come to know that you usually put fake links then you lose thousands of potential readers/customers.
Questions that are mostly asked about clickbait
How to stop the spread of clickbait?
Although its difficult to eliminate the spread of clickbait as it’s not possible for all users to identify which link is malicious and which is the right one with the right information but if you have information about clickbait then avoid falling into it and help the people around you from these scams. Don’t go for the links whose headlines are looking sensational and you are feeling that this story is not trustworthy. If you any link like this report it on social media help centers
When the term “Clickbait” was invented and who invented it?
In December 2006, in an article, a blogger “Jay Geiger” first used the word clickbait so the invention of this credit goes to Jay Geiger. Click refers to the action that the user performs through his/her keyboard or mouse and bait is what encourages the user.
What are the causes of clickbait?
The purpose of clickbait headlines is to encourage readers to click the hyperlinks through articles which increases the traffic on websites and blogs on the website and the website owners can increase their earnings through pay-per-click. It is used to increase the online revenue of advertisements. Although headlines of clickbait are so sensational so there are greater chances that this news and headlines will get more shares on social media. Through shares, the unreal story will get more attention and it will go viral in public
Who clickbait titles are created?
Clickbait titles are created in such a way that it creates curiosity in readers and promote them to click on a link to read the article like “Click to Read More” and when the user clicks this he /she is directed to another page or other website and when user reach on that website or page it is not what he was expecting to read.
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