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I disagree in general (although I agree this article isn't clickbait). the internet runs on clickbait and HN's insistence on reflecting the title of the conten
by PH95VuimJjqBqy 3y ago
I disagree in general (although I agree this article isn't clickbait).
the internet runs on clickbait and HN's insistence on reflecting the title of the content itself means a lot of things that are posted are legitimately clickbait.
Just this morning I rolled my eyes when I saw an article titled "Airbus shatters record for jet orders as demand soars" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38967262 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38967262).
I didn't even bother clicking on it.
people are getting oversensitive, but not without good reason.
- ziddoap 3y agoIn your opinion, what makes your example article title clickbait? Is it using the word "shatters" as opposed to "more than doubles"? Maybe I'm just stuck on an old definition or something, but in my mind, clickbait refers to a headline that is purposfully dishonest about the content of the article. Having an eye-catching title doesn't mean it's clickbait if the article delivers on what the title says. I guess I would also classify any title that doesn't give any representation of the article content as clickbait as well. "Airbus shatters records", as an example, wouldn't give any indication of what records were shattered, thus baiting clicks. But, maybe the word has evolved to refer to any non-boring title and I just haven't caught up to the times.
- PH95VuimJjqBqy 3y agobecause of the adjective shatters. "doubles" is accurate but not as strong in the mind of the reader. it's like seeing an entry in youtube titled "person x DESTROYS person y" and it turns out it's just your normal, everyday, point/counter-point discussion. It's meant to increase the odds that you click, and that's literally what clickbait is.