What does Clickbait mean?
Misleading content designed to attract clicks
Detailed Explanation
'Clickbait' is a derogatory term for web content—typically a headline, thumbnail, or title—that is intentionally sensationalized, misleading, or provocative to entice users into clicking on the link. The primary goal of clickbait is to generate advertising revenue, often at the expense of quality or accuracy. The content itself rarely delivers on the promise of the headline.
Usage Examples
“The video was titled 'YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT,' but it was just boring clickbait.”
“I'm tired of all the clickbait articles in my news feed.”
“A lot of YouTubers use clickbait thumbnails to get more views.”
Origin & History
The term was coined in the mid-2010s to describe the low-quality, high-traffic content model of websites like BuzzFeed and Upworthy at the time. It became a universal term for the practice of using manipulative headlines to attract internet traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common signs of clickbait?
Common signs include headlines written in all caps, phrases like 'shocking secret' or 'number 5 will surprise you,' withholding key information (curiosity gap), and using emotionally charged language.