The rise of ‘clickbait’
For any website, generating pageviews is crucial – but does this justify using over-the-top headlines?
While browsing the internet, how many times have you found yourself clicking on an enticing headline only to find that the story it leads to doesn’t live up to expectations? It’s called “clickbait”, and as the name implies, the headline draws us in but does little to inform.
Despite this, it’s become hugely popular, and mainstream news organisations are being forced to take notice. In this week’s feature, the Listening Post’s Will Yong looks at the tricks and the clicks of the clickbait trade.
Published On 10 May 2014