The Misunderstanding of Click Bait and/or a Teaser

There have been a lot of stories circling around on social media from various sources. We see this in Minnesota as well as in National stories. Some of these stories have very enticing headlines, and you might be inclined to click on the story.  Or - they will give you part of the story and then want you to click for more.

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WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN'T CLICK BAIT

That may be click bait, but it might just be the way they want you to read a legitimate story by not telling you the entire story right up front.  That isn't exactly click bait.

Click bait is more of a thing where the story has nothing to do with the title or the picture that goes along with it.  It's a trick. For example - headline reads "You won't believe the tragedy that made Kelly Clarkson Give Up on Her Career" with a picture of Kelly Clarkson.  Then you click on the story and it has nothing to do with Kelly Clarkson or her career.  It has a completely different piece of content.  THAT is click bait.

In slang, clickbait refers to sensational, misleading, or overly enticing headlines/thumbnails used to trick people into clicking links for low-value content, creating curiosity or shock (like "You Won't Believe What Happens Next!"), but can also describe a person who acts like clickbait—alluring but lacking substance or genuine interest. Essentially, it's "bait" to get "clicks," often disappointing once you see the actual content (or person). 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLICK BAIT AND A TEASER

Could you make a case where anything that you click on in a social media format that makes you click further is click bait?  Maybe, but it isn'tt misleading.  It's like any other story.  One that you see in a magazine or hear on the news or see on social media.  Is it click bait or just a teaser?  Click bait is really negative and misleading regarding the content you are about to, or have clicked on.  A teaser is a positive way to entice people to read the story that DOES have to do with the headline and/or picture that goes along with it.

So, in other words, calling everything click bait just because you are compelled to click through something is not accurate, unless it isn't what it claims to be.