You really thought that this was about getting rich young, didn't you?

How does clickbait really work?

Just like that.

Get ready for a master class on how clickbait works! The first step is falling for a headline that makes you scream "I want to see it!" and then realizing the story wasn't as amazing as it was sold to you.

Take it easy, learn to recognize these traps and avoid falling for them.

In the digital world, clickbait is like a fishing game: content creators cast the bait with an attractive headline and hope that you, the fish, bite. And oh, how we bite! Especially in topics such as sports, entertainment, expert opinions and even science, health and technology blogs.

If you're a little savvy, you've already noticed that both the headline and the first sentence of this article are created according to clickbait.

But, watch out! Clickbait can be misleading and frustrating for users. It's important to be careful when clicking on links and make sure the content is relevant and reliable before clicking. I don't want to fall for another "Jennifer Lopez's miracle diet" trap and find out it's just an advertisement for weight loss pills!

So, how can we protect ourselves from falling for these clickbait traps? Well, the first thing is to be aware of the techniques used by content creators such as referencing popular topics, using catchy adjectives or framing the headline in the form of a question. It's also important to read beyond the headline and make sure the content is relevant and reliable before clicking.

In summary, clickbait is like a fishing game: content creators cast the bait with an attractive headline to trap users. But, don't fall for the trap! With a little knowledge and caution, you can avoid being caught by clickbait and find truly valuable content online.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go read more about Shakira and Pique's "scandal." Just kidding, let's try to dig deeper…

What do we call clickbait?

Clickbait is a term used to describe content that is used to attract users to click on a link. These links often lead to a website or video that is not exactly or closely related to the title or description used to attract the user. The goal of clickbait is to generate web traffic and, often, generate advertising revenue.

Although clickbait can be effective in attracting users, it can also be misleading and frustrating for them. It is important to be careful when clicking on links and to make sure that the content is relevant and reliable before clicking.

How does it really work?

Below, we identify 3 strategies that content creators commonly use to post attractive messages to the public:

Reference popular topics, brands, or people. It's much easier to attract the public with a news or event related to Beyonce, Harrison Ford, Black Pink, Leo Messi, Coca Cola, Apple, Amazon, Harry Potter, Bad Bunny, etc.

Use adjectives or adverbs to give more intensity or particularity to the message. For example: "This way of investing in the stock market will leave you breathless," "The 'exciting and daunting' story of Simone Biles."

Pose the headline in the form of a question. This strategy implies that if you click, you will be able to solve that doubt that they have just generated for you.

These are 7 examples of headlines that correspond to the type of content described as clickbait:

1. "This video will make you cry: you won't believe what happens!"
2. "Incredible! We explain how to make millions online with no effort"
3. "Dua Lipa surprises the world. This story will leave you speechless"
4. "Roger Federer announces his retirement. Here's the reason"
5. "Exclusive. The secret behind Golden State Warriors' success"
6. "How to win a free trip to anywhere in the world?"
7. "Alert spoilers! Exclusive look at the filming of House of the Dragon"

Advantages of clickbait:

Clickbait does not have to be negative for a company, brand, or content disseminator if it knows when and how to use it, knowing its target audience and the sensitivity of the audience it is addressing.

• Creative freedom to use humor.
• Increase in web traffic: attracts users to click on a link, which can generate an increase in web traffic.
• Improvement of search engine positioning.
• Generation of advertising revenue.
• Content dissemination: can help disseminate interesting or important content to a wider audience.

Disadvantages:

Abusing clickbait can mean that people do not trust the content you are creating and even avoid it because they consider it sensationalist.

If you ask someone to explain to you in simple terms what they think of clickbait, they will probably tell you something like this: "it's the same as the meme of what you ask for - what you get."

This comparison is a sample of the fact that entering a link with a surprising headline and then the story not being as much causes disappointment or mistrust. The next time that user comes across a similar headline from the same website or media, they will not click on it.

• Deceiving users: Clickbait often uses misleading or exaggerated titles to attract users to click on a link, which can cause frustration or disappointment once the user sees the actual content.
• Loss of trust: If users feel they have been deceived or let down by clickbait content, they may lose trust in the website or brand, which has negative long-term consequences.
• Time wastage: Users waste time clicking on clickbait links and viewing content that is not relevant or interesting.
• Reputation loss: Companies or brands may acquire a bad reputation as users associate them with something deceptive or untrustworthy.
• Loss of opportunities: Excessive use of clickbait can make users lose interest in the actual content. They miss the opportunity to generate interaction and engagement with the audience.

10 Techniques for Identifying or using Clickbait

1. Exaggerated or sensationalist titles: a title that promises something incredible or impossible is probably clickbait.
2. Use of words like "miraculous", "secret" or "surprise": these words are often used to attract attention and promise something that is too good to be true.
3. Titles that generate curiosity: headlines that make you wonder "what happened?" or "how did he do it?" are typical of clickbait.
4. Titles that use rhetorical questions: headlines that ask rhetorical questions to attract users to click on a link.
5. Titles that generate emotion: headlines that promise to make you cry, laugh or feel some other strong emotion are typical of clickbait.
6. Titles that promise quick solutions: like "The secret trick to lose weight quickly"
7. Titles that promise exclusive content: like "What no one has told you before"
8. Titles that use "will make you" or "will leave you" are clickbait.
9. Titles that use "you won't believe" or "will leave you speechless" are clickbait.
10. Titles that use "discover how" or "here's the secret" are clickbait.

References:

https://www.shopify.com/es/blog/que-es-el-clickbait-guia-del-buen-uso