• Economy -> Consumer and Marketing

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Are click bait headlines damaging the credibility of online media?

Amari Metzel

As a social media user, I absolutely think that click bait headlines are damaging the credibility of online media. I mean, let's be honest, who hasn't fallen victim to a click bait headline promising twelve shocking celebrity makeovers or ten bizarre beliefs of ancient civilizations that will blow your mind? And what do we get when we actually click on these articles? A whole load of nothing, except for a video ad that we can't skip.

Click bait headlines are the epitome of sensationalism. They are designed to grab our attention and generate clicks, whether the content is worthy of our time or not. And what's worse, they often mislead or deceive us. Remember when you clicked on an article entitled "You won't believe what this woman found in her backyard"? Spoiler alert: it was just a regular old garden gnome.

The problem is not just that click bait is annoying, but it's also damaging our trust in the media. When we can't rely on headlines to accurately represent the content within, we begin to question the legitimacy of the entire platform. Media outlets that prioritize sensationalism over integrity are undermining the credibility of the profession as a whole.

But let's not get too preachy here. We all know that click bait works, at least in the short term. And hey, we've all got bills to pay. But what if there was a way to create engaging and authentic content without resorting to sensationalist tactics?

One solution is to focus on quality over quantity. Instead of pumping out ten articles a day with vague click bait headlines, why not create one or two articles with specific and engaging headlines that accurately represent the content within? This way, readers will know what they're getting into and can trust the content they're consuming.

Another solution is to prioritize engagement over clicks. Social media algorithms favor content that generates high levels of engagement. Instead of prioritizing clicks, media outlets can focus on creating content that starts conversations and sparks debates amongst readers. This not only maintains integrity but helps to build a loyal community of followers who trust and engage with the content.

In conclusion, click bait headlines may generate clicks, but they do little to build trust with readers. In the long term, sensationalism undermines the credibility of the profession and the media as a whole. Instead of resorting to click bait, media outlets should prioritize authenticity, engagement, and quality content to build a loyal following and to maintain the integrity of the profession. So let's ditch the click bait and focus on content that truly adds value to our lives (even if it's not as shocking or bizarre).