Clickbait is a text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content, being typically deceptive, sensationalized, or otherwise misleading.
Clickbait is often characterised by sensationalism, exaggeration, or misleading information. The primary goal of clickbait is to generate high click-through rates and increase traffic to a particular website or piece of content.
Clickbait are shared for several reasons:
Curiosity: People are naturally curious, and clickbait often plays on this aspect by promising information or content that sparks curiosity.
Entertainment: Clickbait headlines often promise entertaining or shocking content, and individuals may share them in anticipation of providing entertainment value to their followers.
Social Validation: Some users may share clickbait because they believe the content aligns with their views or opinions, and sharing it provides a form of social validation within their online community.
Lack of Scrutiny: Users may share clickbait without thoroughly evaluating the content, especially if the headline or thumbnail is attention-grabbing. This can lead to the spread of misinformation.
