What is Clickbait?
The term “clickbait” can be defined as content that has an intriguing headline, but once you click on the link, the actual content lacks value and quality. However, in popular usage the term is often used to refer to personal dislike for an article, or to any headline that tempts you to read more.

Read More: The Top 7 Android Apps Ever Created

Why Clickbait Works
There are some universal signs of clickbait. Some examples would be exaggerated headlines such as “You’ll never believe this…” or “This story will change your life!” They promise something so incredible and unique that we can’t help but “click” on the link. But if clickbait frustrates us, then why does it keep reeling us in? Because we’re curious. It makes us feel as if we’ll be rewarded by clicking on the link. But once we do, the article is often disappointing. It doesn’t live up to its promise; we feel as if we’ve been tricked.

Another reason clickbait works is that it promises a quick, emotional escape in a world of hard news stories and investigative journalism. It’s a form of instant gratification. It works because after a long day at work, our brains are tired. Clickbait is designed to be easy to consume.

This tactic — of enticing readers to read an article by using an intriguing headline — of course isn’t new. It has been used in advertisements since the 19th century. In the case of clickbait, however, this tactic is used to an extreme. It happens when a company cares more about advertising revenue and site traffic than the quality of the content. Ultimately, this isn’t a strategy for the long run. It can lead to loss of potential subscribers or customers if they are continuously dissatisfied with their experience.

The Real Issue with Clickbait
While some content can be unanimously considered to be of poor quality, the issue with “clickbait” is that the term is overused, and has adopted a broad and subjective meaning. One person might deem a certain article to be invaluable, but another might find it to be a waste of time. But if the actual content is of a certain standard of quality, even if not every person finds that content valuable, then technically it isn’t clickbait. This is true even if the headline mimics traditional tactics of clickbait. If we avoid overusing the term “clickbait,” then we can more easily recognize actual clickbait and avoid it, if desired.

Connectivity
Since the incoming of the millennial generation, people are accustomed to, and obsessed with, knowing what all the people in their social network are doing. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter rely on news feeds to keep you up-to-date on your friends’ daily lives, and major events. The ability to scroll through a string of posts, and get immediate information about what is happening to those around you, is appealing to a generation increasingly obsessed with having a hold on their social group’s whereabouts.

Comparison
People in the technology age are inherently nosy. We love knowing exactly what other people are doing, wearing, and even thinking. News feeds give us quick details that satisfy this nosiness, though many of us use them for comparison’s sake. You can easily scroll through a list of posts, and compare your beach vacation to your coworker’s, or the cuteness of your dog to your aunt’s new puppy. A news feed gives us the ability to fulfill our need for comparison, and get immediate affirmation about just how good our lives are.

Convenience
Ultimately, gathering information from this format is just easy. By scrolling through a newsfeed, a viewer gets a new bit of information every few seconds, appealing to the ever-shortening attention span. Quickly checking the news, and seeing what the people in our area, and social network are up to, involves minimal finger movement, minimal time, and minimal attention. In a population increasingly interested in being more efficient, and more productive, a news feed is the quickest option for satisfying our need for information.

Keep on Scrolling
Ultimately, all the news feeds you’re seeing on your Android apps reflect a demand for constant information, updates, and access. It’s what people are looking for! In the age of staying connected, there couldn’t be more options, and yet, more and more social networks arrive every year.

If you are looking to have a few more news feeds in your life, check out our blog posts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.