Did you fall for it? Did you get baited into clicking on this blog post? Did the tittle entice you to click the blog? Sorry but it was an example of clickbait.
Clickbait it is a word synonymous to YouTube, BuzzFeed and other online magazines and articles. But it is heavily under used in other businesses. I’ve decided to do a 4-part blog series in honour of this trend as its use can make or break a business. Over the next 4 weeks we will discus what are some techniques of clickbait, how can you implement them in your business and lastly what are the consequences and possible downfall from it.
To use clickbait is like running on a thin line, to do it wrong wreaks disaster but if you nail it it can be the best tool in your arsenal.
Firstly, what is clickbait?
Clickbait is a text or thumbnail link that is designed to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content. Click-bait headlines typically aim to exploit the “curiosity gap”, providing just enough information to make readers of news websites curious, but not enough to satisfy their curiosity without clicking through to the linked content.
Clickbait has been around for decades dates. It isn’t something that was created overnight by the internet but it was used back in the 20’s in the newspaper.
Clickbait has been around for ages with some evidence back in the 1800s in cartoon strips that were inserted into newspapers.
These clickbait ads were featured in newspapers in the 20’s or more accurately, the latter half of the Great Depression.
What these clickbait did was extraordinary as it provides hope, for people experiencing the worst economic meltdown of all time. That’s what good clickbait does.
So with evidence as proof, clickbait has been around for centuries however BuzzFeed and content creators on YouTube have perfected the art of clickbait (despite laughable claims otherwise) as they found it is one of the best ways to net page views, and increase views.
If you want some examples of clickbait from YouTube simply open YouTube’s trending page and there will be countless examples there. However, are some iconic clickbait headlines from BuzzFeed.
This guy went to hug an elephant. What happens next will blow your mind
These facts about childbirth will change the way you look at life FOREVER
What this little kid can do with a bongo drum will make you sob uncontrollably until you burst
What are your thoughts on clickbait? Did you get fooled by this blogs title and have you been enticed by other articles and YouTubers before? Let me know if you like my clickbait series idea and stick around to learn how to implement it into your business.
A blog on digital marketing 
I have mixed feelings about clickbait, sometimes it can be funny, but other times when it only loosely relates to a post or video it can be frustrating.
I feel that companies need to be careful to not break the trust of their customers by using this technique.
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I completely agree Emma its a tightrope and its definitely high risk but it also has high reward. I’ll be discussing the criticisms and possible negative consequences in the final week of the series. Make sure you stick around and continue reading.
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Great post Matt! I think clickbait is just a reality of media these days, and something we have to accept. Yes it can be annoying sometimes, but ultimately it brings in readers/viewers. Can’t wait to read the rest of your series 🙂
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I think clickbait runs a fine line between annoying and appealing. For some companies, like Buzzfeed, they have almost built their business around clickbait, so it is to be expected and almost funny. I’m interested to keep reading the other parts of your series!
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