The Digital Down Low: Find out the hot new secret every content creator is using

Clickbait has been a controversial subject for a while now. Merriam-Webster defines it as “something (such as a headline) designed to make readers want to click on a hyperlink especially when the link leads to content of dubious value or interest." Others have gone to more of an extreme definition and stated that clickbait is dishonesty in the title or thumbnail of an article or video that convinces the user to click it, since, by Merriam-Webster’s definition, just about every title for any computer content ever would be considered clickbait.

However, clickbait is not exactly new. Any one of us who has seen a newspaper can remember a headline intended for us to pick up and read the newspaper; that’s what the writers want. The more people consume their content, the more they make. Simple enough.

The problem begins to appear when content creators are on the side of dishonesty with their titles and thumbnails. Many content creators, for example, will upload prank videos with “GONE SEXUAL” or “IN THE HOOD” at the end of the title — but it didn't occur "in the hood" or "got sexual" at all. Even if these things did happen, they are seen as unnecessary and childish. When thumbnails start representing things that never happen in the video, while, in addition, having a title that gives little to no information about the video rather than trying to convince the average viewer to watch it, and finally fails to deliver on quality, then viewers become frustrated and the creator makes money anyway.

Other YouTubers, such as LeafyIsHere, use what could be considered clickbait on a regular basis by using titles such as “THE ANGRIEST VEGAN ON YOUTUBE TO EVER EXIST” or “THIS GIRL WANTS ME TO GO TO JAIL FOR CYBERBULLYING HER.” If you genuinely enjoy Leafy’s content, you might see these titles and not care too much, since every one of his videos generally has the same structure; the content is content you will enjoy, regardless of what it is about. However, for a viewer that is unfamiliar with him, his content may sound very dire and extreme, when, in fact, it is just him making fun of some person on the internet for 15 minutes (although the person may, in fact, be rather extreme in some cases).

These sorts of habits have led to a new standard for titles on YouTube being often in all capital letters and implying a dire situation that is likely overexaggerating things. It may make things interesting, but it can also be difficult to find content that is actually worth watching and at the end of the day, that is what most of us seek.

Marco Omta is a sophomore studying music production. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you often fall for clickbait? Email Marco at mo183714@ohio.edu.