Outsmarted... Again?

Ever clicked on a headline that promised something amazing, only to find it wasn’t what you expected? You weren’t the only one. Clickbait is everywhere on the internet, pulling us in with promises of shocking stories or life-changing secrets. But what is clickbait really, and how can you avoid falling for it?

1. What is Clickbait?
Clickbait is when a headline or title is made to grab your attention and make you want to click on it, but the content doesn’t deliver what it promised. It’s like a trick that uses really exciting or outrageous words to get you to open a link. For example, titles like “You won’t believe what happens next!” or “This one secret will change your life!” often lead to articles that don’t live up to the hype. Clickbait plays on your curiosity, making you think there’s something amazing inside, but it’s often just there to get you to click, not to give you real or useful information.

2. How to Spot Clickbait
Spotting clickbait is easier than you might think, once you know what to look for. The first thing to check is the headline. If it seems too exaggerated or dramatic, it’s probably clickbait. Phrases like “You won’t believe…” or “This will shock you…” are big red flags. Also, if the headline doesn’t really tell you anything about what the article is actually about, it’s probably clickbait trying to get you curious. Another sign is when the article doesn’t include any real facts or credible sources, and just talks in vague terms. Lastly, if the headline is full of errors or feels like it’s trying too hard to be “click-worthy,” you can bet it’s meant to trick you into clicking.

3. How to Avoid Clickbait
To avoid getting tricked by clickbait, you’ve got to be a little more careful with what you click on. The next time you see a headline that seems too good to be true, take a moment to think about it. Is it really that exciting, or is it just trying to get you to click? Also, look at the website or source. Big, well-known sites that you trust usually don’t use clickbait, so check if the website has a good reputation. If it’s a site that you’ve never heard of or seems to have a lot of ads popping up, it might be best to skip it. Finally, always trust your gut. If the headline sounds way too dramatic or makes you feel like you have to click, it’s usually a good idea to back off and find something better.

4. Why Do People Use Clickbait?
The main reason people use clickbait is because it makes them money. Every time someone clicks on a link, it counts as traffic, and more traffic means more money from ads on the page. Clickbait gets a lot of people to click on things, so creators can make more money that way. But it’s not just about money—clickbait also helps websites get attention in a world where everyone’s trying to grab your eyes. Unfortunately, some people even use clickbait for scams or to get your personal info. So, when you click on the wrong link, you could end up being tricked into something worse.

5. Conclusion
Clickbait is everywhere, and it’s easy to get sucked in by a catchy headline. But now that you know what it is, how to spot it, and how to avoid it, you can stay one step ahead. While clickbait creators might just be trying to get more clicks and make money, you don’t have to fall for it. By being careful with what you click on, checking your sources, and trusting your instincts, you can avoid being tricked. The internet has a lot of cool and useful information, but it’s also full of distractions. Stay smart, and don’t let clickbait take over your online experience!

Wow! ChatGPT!

Wait...

This is clickbait!

How much money do you make?

??

I don't make money from clickbait lol

I'm not evil

And... yes, I made a clickbait title just to show you how powerful one is.

Guess you fell for it

💀

No one here :'(

yes

If you just ignore him, why are you posting in his forum?

Better idea. Learn to distinguish between "good clickbait" and "bad clickbait" and then simply avoid the channels with bad clickbait. I love what @GothamChess has done for chess, but his bad clickbait is the main reason I never subscribed to his channel. I still check out some of their videos and add the video Likes, but they shouldn't have to resort to bad clickbait.

A non-chess video I like is from Nate Black describing the difference between good clickbait and bad clickbait. I no longer see the video I remembered though, so it may have been from the Channel Makers channel before we created his own channel.

Here's another video from them on a related topic: