What Is Clickbait?
How to spot it — and why it matters.
"You won't believe what happened next."
"This one trick will change your life."
"Number 6 will blow your mind."
You've seen these headlines. Maybe you've clicked on them. That's the point.
Clickbait is a headline designed to make you click — whether or not the content delivers.
The goal isn't to inform you. It's to get your click. Because clicks = money.
Why does clickbait work?
It triggers curiosity. Your brain wants to close the loop.
- "What happened next?"
- "What's the trick?"
- "What's number 6?"
You feel like you need to know. So you click.
Is clickbait dangerous?
Mostly, it's just annoying. You click, you're disappointed, you move on.
But sometimes clickbait leads to:
- Scam websites — trying to get your details
- Malware — software that harms your device
- Misinformation — false stories designed to spread
The headline grabs you. The content harms you.
How to spot clickbait
| Red flag | Example |
|---|---|
| Vague mystery | "You won't believe..." |
| Emotional trigger | "This will make you cry" |
| Numbered lists with hype | "And number 7 will SHOCK you" |
| Too good to be true | "This one trick doctors hate" |
What to do
- Pause before clicking. Ask: what am I actually going to learn?
- Check the source. Is it a site you recognise?
- Look for the real story. Search the topic on a trusted news site.
Funny thing: If you came here from my article "7 Things You Didn't Know Your iPhone Could Do (And Number 6 Will Blow Your Mind)" — you just experienced clickbait.
But at least I gave you real tips. And now you know how to spot when others won't.