Clickbait is Good | Use More Clickbait Headlines!

You may have encountered a blog post or a YouTube video whose title gives you a different level of excitement. You click it and see everything irrelevant to the title you clicked. Well, you got click-baited!

Clickbait, by definition, is a false content advertising which is done by creating a linked title or thumbnail attractive enough to drive the reader to your content. And a lot of times, it works. The web is the source of plenty of clickbait examples. Sometimes, the clickbait content creators are at a whole next level.

Watch this quick 20 seconds clip before we start with the topic:

If you are completely new to this term 'clickbait', you may be having WTF moment by this 20 seconds. Being frank, I created it. I know that this is very upsetting to the people who are searching for the real motivation. But the ultimate aim of this video is just to show you the most intelligible example of clickbait (through this content). And I wish no one to be hurt with that.

Despite being the creator of this click-baited content, I say that clickbait should not be taken this far. What I mean with 'Clickbait is Good' is that the proper and not overly-done clickbait is good. Stick till the end to know how to properly do it and you should not miss the conclusion.

Why people do it?

Clickbait content creators are crazy. They either do it to gain visibility of their content or for fun (rarely). There can be other reasons as well, But the primary reason due to which they create clickbait headlines is to promote their content by increasing the click-through rates.

I have categorized the clickbait content in two ways; decent and extreme. The decent clickbait content refers to those content where the clickbait is managed to a decent level. Similarly, what I mean by extreme is that the content is way too far with its headlines.

My terrible video falls under the 'extreme' category. A misunderstanding with a lot of creators is that they think that the extreme clickbait headlines will lead to extreme fame. It may result in something good but that will be temporary. How can you gain branding being someone else?

The extreme clickbait headlines creators are the ones who care about everything way too much. They may be jealous of their rivalry's content being growing rapidly or they are so obsessed with overnight success. Fixing this reason is easy if you are an example of this. Care less and you will never be stressed. You will do a great deal by not caring about people.

Let's take an example of a popular platform YouTube. Struggling musicians on YouTube are using names of popular artists in their content title and adding the artist's image to their thumbnail. Clickbait like these are the worst. You may get some views and click-through rates, but entirely, it affects your brand and you will lose your potential customers.

Other examples of extreme clickbait content creators include those using the names/images of various celebrities in their content thumbnail and title. With no sight of the celebrity inside. This will be very disappointing to the viewers and you will demote your content.

Sometimes, clickbait creators are very fine with their overly-done clickbait that anyone becomes too attractive and finally get click baited. In the end, the content mostly feels cringy.

Why clickbait is good?

 I favor the content with the clickbait due to the 5 primary benefits mentioned below. These points also support my statement 'Clickbait is Good':

1. Clickbait headline increases the level of curiosity to your content.
2. Clickbait headline engages your audiences.
3. Clickbait headline helps you drive traffic to your site and increases your content click-through rates.
4. Clickbait, when used properly, helps increase the ranking of your content in search engines.
5. Clickbait increases the visibility of your content (also, if used properly).

How to (properly) use clickbait?

What can be the best way to properly use clickbait than not overdoing it? Using clickbait to promote your content is good. But there are innumerable people on the web that are overdoing this. And this is a message to them as well to maintain the level of clickbait in their content. Doing clickbait is good but overdoing is not.

Examples of overly done clickbait headlines are like "A newly born baby attempts murder for the 13th time" and "Sun rises in the west". A headline like "Ant eats a lion" is ok only if you are displaying a colony of ants consuming the flesh of a dead lion or something similar. Still, it feels like too much.

Overly done clickbait is like headline heading east and the content far west. The web spiders are updated regularly and the search engine doesn't favor such overly created clickbait in one’s content. Also, it is upsetting to the viewers. Limit the use and manage the level of your clickbait headline.

Another way of using clickbait is by using clickbait, but not in all of your content. What impression would do you get from a random follower who is inspired by one of your clickbait content, visits your profile, and finds out all your content is click baited? They will surely be turned off to convert themselves into your loyal follower.

Improper clickbait negatively affects your business if branding is something that you are seeking. Focus on being decent with your content. This way, you will attract the curiosity of readers and grab their attention. And the viewers will not be upset. Then, with quality content, you will delight them.

Use clickbait but not in the way that you will lose the real value of your content. In cases like this, be consistent and have patience. Maybe you will achieve visibility and huge potential followers very soon. This is because overnight success is mostly a fictional thing.

Conclusion:

People, a lot of times, are very hopeful and serious with the search results whether it is a YouTube search or search in any other search engine. These people can be your loyal followers as well. You should create your clickbait headline on that basis as well. This is a must-know way possible to limit your click-bait headline. Be a decent click-baiter!