Taylor Swift…there, I did it too…read on

Instead of using clickbait, why not use clickpromise? After all, you want to deliver what you’re promising in your headline, right?

Clickbait has been around for a long time

We writers all have something to say or a story to tell. Stop baiting for readers and promise them something like quality over quantity.

We can’t make you read it and only hope you will, especially when it comes down to sharing a personal story, sharing views on topics, or wanting to earn an income from doing what we love with those words.

Whether we write a letter, an e-mail, or an instant message, we have something to say.

You share something on social media because you feel you must.

The main problem with genuine clickbait is that it includes a hint of dishonesty and how it entices you to read isn’t accurately reflected in the content of the article or blog.

Whenever clickbait began, it was an innovative strategy publishers and advertisers used in the ever-growing ocean of information. Whether it was an innocent approach in the beginning, be assured it evolved into something often associated with misinformation and sensationalism.

Our digital world is flooded

In our drenched digital world, writers continue to turn to clickbait as a way to capture a reader’s attention. If we know this as readers, why do we keep clicking?

Because so many articles, blogs, and stories compete for your clicks, it shouldn’t be surprising that even well-polished writers have the consistent pressure to shine brighter.

Sure, the clickbait titles make you curious, but when you learn to recognize them for what they are, you won’t be as compelled to click.

Are attention spans deteriorating?

Old methods of engaging readers don’t seem to be enough anymore, especially when attention spans appear to be driven toward the most appealing clickbait heading. This has been the new reality for writers.

This can be discouraging when you want to create quality content and at the same time, you want to reach a larger audience.

Is there such a thing as creative responsible clickbait? We live in a fast-paced world. We compete for larger reading audiences.

Clickbait isn’t just a trend. Writers are using that strategy as a necessity. It’s everywhere.

We can’t escape clickbait

I think it’s here forever.

Clickbait is a marketing and engagement approach using sensationalistic and misleading words so you’ll be enticed to click and it subsequently propels page views.

If you use responsible clickbait, you avoid being deceptive in your heading. You dig and dig until you come up with an intriguing heading that will give real value to your article content.

Maybe you can strike a balance. You can create curiosity without using a misleading tactic leaving your readers feel cheated.

If we use clickbait responsibly and label it clickpromise, then it could become a strong tool for engagement. Readers might be encouraged to explore the content.

Writers have to live up to what they promise in the headline. Give readers quality information instead of deceiving them. And please, stop promising how they can earn thousands of dollars. Readers are intelligent, give them that credit.

Once you become familiar with what constitutes clickbait, you’re less likely to waste your time on an article that lacks substance.

If you’re going to use clickbait, be responsible. Have some respect for other writers and especially for your readers.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

(Opening Photo by Jaelynn Castillo on Unsplash.)

© Cathy Coombs | Follow on LinkedIn or X | Author of Stranger in the Window, a true story about an unsolved 1941 murder.