You’ll Never Believe What This Article’s About *not clickbait*

HA, I got you there. This article IS about clickbait.

Clickbait is the process by which content-creators use sensationalized titles or tempting thumbnails to grab the attention of their audience, enticing them to click on an article, video or post. In this new technological age, where information is as accessible as ever before, the need for “clicks” and standing out from the crowd is imperative. Due to this, many creators choose to “over exaggerate” things just a little bit. Although we at The Beacon try not to over-sensationalize titles or use misleading featured images, Youtube is rife with clickbait.

Most of our favorite YouTubers use some form of clickbait to title and market their videos. For example, Gabbie Hanna or previously, “The Gabbie Show,” often does “storytime” videos in which she regales her audiences with outrageous stories of her experiences. She, like many YouTubers, uses it to make more people click on her video and watch it, even if they stop watching midway when they realize that whatever the title claims is false. Some examples of her titles include “I WAS CATFISHED BY MY BEST FRIEND… twice,” “THIS COMPANY SCAMMED ME OUT OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS,” and “MY STALKER!”

Similarly, one of my favorite YouTubers, David Dobrik, who has 5.4 million subscribers, makes vlog-like videos that are usually stylized to encourage as many clicks – he even has merch with his girlfriend, fellow YouTuber Liza Koshy, that acknowledges clickbait. However, his titles tend to be a more accurate representation of what is going to occur in the video simply because his videos are that shameless. For instance, “SUPRISE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL,” “THIS WAS A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT!! (PAINFUL),” or “SUPRISED FRIENDS WITH $40,000 PRIVATE JET!!” These are all examples of wild titles for videos, in which, these wild things really occurred.

On the other side, some YouTubers have come to poke fun at clickbait. Scotty Sire, who has almost 2 million subscribers, went through a period in which he only used “joke” clickbait titles such as “WATCH THIS SO I CAN GET MONEY FROM ADS!! (not clickbait),” which was used as mockery for others who use clickbait so that they get more ad revenue, or “WE DROPPED 1 ICE CUBE IN MY BATHTUB!” which is used to joke about David’s video: “SWIMMING WITH 1,400 POUNDS OF DRY ICE!!”

I asked some AISG students about their opinions on clickbait and if they are opposed to it or not. Lisa M, an avid YouTube watcher claims that for her, “it just depends on which YouTuber it is.” She clarifies that “if it’s David [Dobrik] or Liza [Koshy], it’s good. But, if its anyone else, [she doesn’t] like it.” On the other hand, Miku M thinks that clickbait “is important when it comes to populism across social media” and she explains that “it does become a problem if it provides false information.” She concludes her statement by exclaiming that clickbait with false information “[is] ridiculous.” Abby P agrees with Miku by saying that “it’s just kind of annoying [when] there’s not any real content, and they’re only trying to draw you in with the title.” She concludes with, “it’s just a no from me.” *shakes head*.

Personally, I am not opposed to clickbait; content-creators have full rights to name their content whatever they want in order to get as many views as possible. They need to make money off their content after all. If you find that an article or video is misnamed, just don’t continue reading or watching it.

Overall, clickbait and misleading thumbnails or images have now just become a part of the online world, and acknowledging that they are an issue is important, but becoming angry isn’t going to solve the problem because they don’t seem to be going away.