Detect clickbait
Clickbait isn’t about informing you — it’s about forcing attention. Here’s how to spot it instantly.
Common clickbait patterns
- “You won’t believe what happened next…”
- Extreme wording: shocking, insane, unbelievable
- No clear sources (“experts say…”, “many people think…”)
- Screenshots instead of links to originals
- Urgency pressure (“share now!”, “before it gets deleted!”)
Why clickbait works
Emotion over facts
Anger, fear and outrage override critical thinking.
Curiosity gap
The headline promises something only revealed after clicking.
Algorithm boost
Clicks and comments signal “interest” to platforms.
The 5-question checklist
- Who is the original source?
- Is there a clear date?
- Is there a second independent source?
- Does the content actually match the headline?
- Would I share this without emotional pressure?