Clickbait

Clickbait is a term used to describe those dramatic article headlines (titles) whose purpose is to lure in readers. We must be critical or skeptical when we see these because although the article might be entertaining, often the person who created the web site makes money from advertisers every time someone clicks on their clickbait title. Take a look at the clickbait example below.

Clickbait image of man hugging a lion

Souza, Z. (n.d.). Man tries to hug a wild lion, you won’t believe what happens next! Retrieved from http://earthporm.com/man-tries-hug-wild-lion-wont-believe-happens-next/ Links to an external site.

 

How to Spot Clickbait

This helpful fact-checking guide from Santa Clara University Links to an external site. helps us spot clickbait more easily. The guide suggests we look for the following:

  • Headlines in all caps and/or containing excessive punctuation
  • Obviously photo-shopped images
  • Images that are irrelevant to the content of the article.

Take a look at the guide for examples and more tips on how to spot clickbait.

 

"How is it written?" Links to an external site. by Santa Clara University first-year honors English class May 2017 Links to an external site., SCU Fact Checking Guide Links to an external site., Santa Clara University Links to an external site. is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.