10 Clickbait Examples That Will Make You Rethink Everything

The word "clickbait" refers to online content, usually headlines, thumbnails, or titles, that are intended to grab readers' attention and persuade them to click through to the full article. Sensationalized language, overstated assertions, confusion, or controversial images are frequently used in this context to draw readers' interest and encourage interaction.

Increasing traffic to a specific website, article, video, or social media post is the main objective of clickbait. Nevertheless, clickbait material usually falls short of the headline's promises, leaving the viewer disappointed or irritated.

Clickbait can be found on many websites, including news websites, social media, content aggregators, and video-sharing platforms. Although clickbait is a useful tool for drawing in viewers and boosting engagement metrics like page views, clicks, likes, shares, and comments, it is sometimes criticized for being dishonest and for aiding in the spread of false information and subpar content online.

Generally, clickbait makes use of the curiosity gap—the area between what people already know and what they want to discover—to draw clicks and make money via advertising or other forms of monetization.

Catchy titles that compel readers to click through to the entire story are known as clickbait headlines. These headlines use sensationalist language, exaggerated claims, ambiguity, or provocative images to pique readers' interest and create a sense of excitement.

Sensationalism, ambiguity, insufficient information, emotional appeal, and relevance to hot subjects are common traits of clickbait headlines. They typically tease readers with intriguing remarks or questions without giving away all the specifics, using exaggerated language to convey a sense of urgency or excitement.

Nevertheless, visitors go through to satisfy their curiosity and interact with the information because these headlines frequently fail to deliver trustworthy or relevant content.

1. "The Perfect X Doesn’t Exi-"

That's a typical example of clickbait, right? Usually, it has the structure "The Perfect [X] Doesn't Exi-". It's intentional to misspell "doesn't exi-" to provide humor and a sense of mystery.

This kind of headline is meant to pique the reader's interest and entice them to click through to learn more by implying that something amazing or ideal has been discovered.

Playing on the reader's demand for novelty or perfection, it frequently results in articles or content that convey something unusual or unexpected within a specific setting.

Examples:

1. "The Perfect Pizza Doesn't Exi-: A Slice of Heaven in Every Bite!"
2. "The Perfect Vacation Spot Doesn't Exi-: Paradise Found!"
3. "The Perfect Relationship Doesn't Exi-: Secrets to Lasting Love Revealed!"
4. "The Perfect Hair Care Product Doesn't Exi-: Say Goodbye to Bad Hair Days!"
5. "The Perfect Pet Doesn't Exi-: Find Your Furry Friend Today!"

2. ‘LIVE…’

Another well-known clickbait gimmick is "LIVE...", which is frequently utilized in headlines, particularly for social media posts or online videos. The reader is left wondering what will happen next or what they will see if they click on the material because of the ellipsis at the conclusion, which evokes mystery and anticipation.

This strategy invites visitors to click right away to see the event unfold by implying that something thrilling, surprising, or significant is happening in real-time. It's important to remember, though, that the information might not always be completely up to date or live up to the hype generated by the headline.

Examples:

1. "LIVE: Breaking News Coverage of [Event or Situation]"
2. "Watch LIVE: Exclusive Interview with [Celebrity or Expert]"
3. "Join us LIVE: Behind-the-Scenes Look at [Event or Production]"
4. "LIVE Now: Coverage of [Sports Game or Tournament]"
5. "Tune in LIVE: Concert Performance by [Artist or Band]"

3. "Piggybacking"

In clickbait and content marketing, piggybacking is a tactic used to capitalize on the viral content or popularity of current events, themes, or trends to draw attention to one's content. This entails coming up with headlines, thumbnails, or titles that make use of news articles, viral memes, popular culture references, or topical subjects.

Increasing the possibility of clicks, views, shares, or interaction is the goal. A social media post may employ piggybacking by tagging a well-known ecommerce meme or viral trend in its caption or content, whereas a news website may publish an article with a headline that entices readers with a headline like "Shocking Revelations About [Popular Celebrity] Scandal – You Won't Believe What Happened!"

However, if the information isn't genuine, it could also be interpreted as opportunistic or manipulative.

Examples:

1. "Piggybacking off the Success of [Popular Movie or TV Show]: A Look at Similar Films You'll Love"
2. "How Brands are Piggybacking on the Latest TikTok Trends to Boost Engagement"
3. "Piggybacking on the Latest Fashion Craze: How to Style [Trendy Item] for Maximum Impact"
4. "Piggybacking on the Crypto Boom: Top Altcoins to Watch Besides Bitcoin"
5. "Piggybacking on the Wellness Movement: The Rise of Plant-Based Alternatives"

4. "This Is What…"

A seductive promise phrase is frequently used in clickbait headlines to grab readers' interest and encourage them to click through to the full article.

The headline, such as "This is what happens when you drink lemon water every morning," implies that the piece offers insightful information on wellness and health-related subjects. But the reader can be disappointed or frustrated if the actual content doesn't always match up to the headline's suggested promise.

Examples:

1. This is What Happens to Your Body When You Exercise Regularly"
2. "This is What You Need to Know Before Investing in Cryptocurrency"
3. "This is What Successful Entrepreneurs Have in Common"
4. "This is What Fashion Trends Will Dominate in the Coming Year"
5. "This is What Parents Wish They Knew Before Having Kids"

5. “See…”

The term "See..." frequently appears in clickbait headlines to persuade readers to click on to the full article. This is sometimes done in conjunction with a description of something visually arresting, fascinating, surprising, or unexpected.

This statement plays on the reader's curiosity and desire to see visually appealing material by establishing an expectation that the content will offer visual evidence of anything noteworthy or fascinating. The promise made by the headline might not always be fulfilled by the actual content, though.

Examples:

1. See the Hilarious Reactions of People Trying Spicy Food for the First Time"
2. "See the Adorable Moment When a Baby Meets Their Pet for the First Time"
3. "See the Heartwarming Reunion Between a Soldier and Their Family"
4. "See the Incredible Acrobatic Stunts of This Circus Performance"
5. "See the Stunning Makeup Transformation of This Beauty Guru"

6. "… of the year"

Clickbait headlines sometimes use terms like "... of the year" to draw attention to important occasions or content that has stood out during a given time.

The goal of these headlines is to draw readers in and encourage them to click through for additional information. The headline's inflated claims may not always be supported by the content, which highlights the risks associated with clickbait.

Examples:

1. The Best Movies of the Year: A Must-Watch List for Film Enthusiasts"
2. "The Top Tech Gadgets of the Year: Innovations That Impressed in 2024"
3. "The Most Influential Books of the Year: Essential Reads for Every Bookworm"
4. "The Biggest Fashion Trends of the Year: Style Must-Haves for 2024"
5. "The Most Anticipated Video Games of the Year: Gaming Releases That Excited Fans"

7. “This Is How…”

In clickbait headlines, the phrase "This is how..." is frequently used to make a promise or make an assertion about a process or strategy, drawing the reader in and encouraging them to click through to the entire article.

This strategy seeks to offer practical guidance, insights, or directions on reaching a certain goal; nevertheless, the content itself might not always measure up to the headline's implied promise.

Examples:

1. This is How to Build a Successful Startup from Scratch"
2. "This is How to Ace Your Job Interview and Land Your Dream Job"
3. "This is How to Create a Stunning Home Garden on a Budget"
4. "This is How to Improve Your Credit Score and Achieve Financial Freedom"
5. "This is How to Train for a Marathon and Cross the Finish Line Strong"

8. “The Last … You’ll Ever Need”

The title typically suggests a conclusive answer to a particular issue by using the attention-grabbing phrase "The Last... You'll Ever Need."

This term promises a ground-breaking solution that will do away with the need for additional tools, giving off an air of exclusivity and urgency. It's important to examine these statements closely, though, as the real substance could not always live up to the inflated brand claims.

Examples:

1. The Last Recipe Book You'll Ever Need: Delicious and Nutritious Meals for Every Occasion"
2. "The Last Self-Help Guide You'll Ever Need: Transform Your Life and Find True Happiness"
3. "The Last Home Cleaning Method You'll Ever Need: Keep Your Space Spotless

9. “You Won’t Believe…”

One popular clickbait tactic is to use the words "You won't believe..." to grab readers' attention and get them to click on a headline to see unexpected or shocking information.

This statement appeals to the reader's innate curiosity, but it's important to evaluate these claims attentively because the inflated promises may not always match the real substance.

Examples:

1. "You Won't Believe the Transformation After This Extreme Makeover!"
2. "You Won't Believe the Hidden Treasures Found in This Abandoned Mansion!"
3. "You Won't Believe What Scientists Discovered at the Bottom of the Ocean!"
4. "You Won't Believe the Outrageous Fashion Trends Taking Over the Runways!"

10. “…they don’t want you to know”

When implying that taboo knowledge is concealed or suppressed, the expression "they don't want you to know" is frequently employed in clickbait headlines.

The purpose of this headline is to pique readers' interest and get them to click through in order to see the buried content. It's important to view these statements seriously, though, as the actual content might not always offer sufficient support for them.

Examples:

1. They Don't Want You to Know the Dark Side of Social Media and Its Effects on Mental Health"
2. "They Don't Want You to Know About the Corruption in Government and Corporate Politics"
3. "They Don't Want You to Know the Truth About UFO Sightings and Alien

How clickbait Influences Reader behavior

Clickbait headlines are intended to stimulate readers' curiosity and elicit strong feelings in them, which will motivate them to click through and interact with the material. They frequently play on feelings of comedy, terror, surprise, intrigue, and exclusivity to convey a sense of urgency. Readers click through because they are afraid they will miss out on important information.

In addition to appealing to social approval, clickbait presents content that is popular and widely shared. Additionally, it promotes rapid satisfaction, making it easy for readers to scroll through without giving it much thought.

Nevertheless, clickbait also serves to validate readers' preexisting opinions or biases, increasing the likelihood that they would be clickbait title only on content that supports these ideas.

Consequences of falling for clickbait

Clickbait headlines frequently exaggerate or mislead the content they link to, contributing to the problem of "clickbait culture" in online media. Misinformation, lost time, disappointment, mistrust of the media, a reduction in critical thinking, and the continuation of the clickbait culture are some of the possible outcomes of this.

Sensationalism and engagement metrics take precedence over accuracy and quality when it comes to content creation, which feeds a vicious cycle of clickbait and undercuts attempts to promote more reliable and educational content online.

Readers must approach internet content with critical thinking and discernment, assessing the reliability and applicability of the material before making decisions or acting based on attention-grabbing headlines.

A headline that is likely clickbait often employs sensational language, exaggeration, or promises of extraordinary outcomes to grab attention. Phrases like "you won't believe," "shocking reveal," or "unbelievable" are common indicators. 

Such headlines prioritize generating clicks over providing accurate or substantial information, often leading to disappointing content. It's essential to approach these headlines skeptically and verify the source's credibility before engaging with the content.

Tools and resources to help spot clickbait

Use browser plugins such as "B.S. Detector" or "NewsGuard" to highlight possibly unreliable content and steer clear of misleading websites and content. To ensure that statements made in headlines or stories are accurate, use fact-checking resources such as PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and Snopes.

Choose reliable news sources instead of clickbait ones since they are more likely to be honest and truthful. To improve your ability to evaluate internet content, enroll in online courses on media literacy and critical thinking.

Tailor your social media settings to exclude postings from accounts that are known to share clickbait content or from untrustworthy sources. Examine user reviews to determine the legitimacy, value and applicability of content before clicking on it.