4 ms·

It took me a good minute to see what they were really doing. Clickbait websites were definitely in need of some pushback and I'm glad that the Onion is behind i

It took me a good minute to see what they were really doing. Clickbait websites were definitely in need of some pushback and I'm glad that the Onion is behind it. Oh Onion, you clever bastards.

danielweber 12y ago
The Onion uses those same clickbait websites as its advertising revenue. So it's either brilliantly brave or completely dense of them. EDIT Holy crap: http://www.clickhole.com/video/video-seems-silly-it-makes-good-point-264 http://www.clickhole.com/video/video-seems-silly-it-makes-go... EDIT I just realized in lowerclase "clickhole" looks like "dickhole". Maybe this was an obvious joke all along and I'm slow.
- colanderman 12y ago
  They're usually very blatant about where their ad money comes from. See their 7-Up (http://www.theonion.com/video/today-now-offers-7up-ten-chance-for-fruitful-spons,31603/ http://www.theonion.com/video/today-now-offers-7up-ten-chanc...) and Acura (http://www.theonion.com/video/did-the-media-treat-bachmann-unfairly-because-shes,26961/ http://www.theonion.com/video/did-the-media-treat-bachmann-u...) sponsorships. So this doesn't surprise me.
  - danielweber 12y ago
    I'm never sure if those product placements are actually paid, or if they're just making fun of the concept.
    - jkestner 12y ago
      Well, it's like the Clickhole site - both. I hate artificial generational terms, but ironic contradiction is something that Millennials are comfortable with. (Ooh, I just did it there.) Blame it on the politicians they grew up with.
- jkestner 12y ago
  Realistically cynical is the description I'd use.
- JimmaDaRustla 12y ago
  That video brings satire to a whole new level!
- Istof 12y ago
  isn't this one better: http://www.clickhole.com/video/what-adorable-little-girl-says-will-melt-your-hear-286 http://www.clickhole.com/video/what-adorable-little-girl-say...
  - tootie 12y ago
    Excellent delivery. That girl has a bright future.
    - brightsize 12y ago
      Damn, she IS good. I hope this launches a career.
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
danso 12y ago
I'm not a satirist, but if I were, I'm guessing this would be the best kind of praise.
meritt 12y ago
Facebook has been doing a fair job of banning them. Can't wait for BuzzFeed to be removed next.
- nkozyra 12y ago
  I think Facebook has tried to block them but they pop up all over the place. The latest one seems to be PetFlow, which is ostensibly some sort of pet site but it's churning out clickbait like mad. In short, I don't think FB has been particularly effective, though I admire(d) the goal.
  - imjk 12y ago
    PetFlow was the #1 most engaging brand on across social media before these viral linkbait social sites popped up with genuine and relevant content: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2012/06/26/petflow-walmart-converse-and-more-on-this-weeks-top-10-gainers-in-retail-and-consumer-merchandise-pages/ http://www.insidefacebook.com/2012/06/26/petflow-walmart-con.... After the rise of these viral linkbait sites, Petflow started emulating the model to keep up. I'm sure this has helped them continue to grow and keep up with these rising competitors like Buzzfeed and Viral Nova, but I personally feel like it's hurting their brand. So Alex and Joe (founders of Petflow), if you're listening, stop the bullshit and go back what you were doing. These viral linkbait sites are a fad and will eventually go away or get banned. I don't want you guys to go down the same road.

It took me a good minute to see what they were really doing. Clickbait websites were definitely in need of some pushback and I'm glad that the Onion is behind it. Oh Onion, you clever bastards.

danielweber 12y ago

The Onion uses those same clickbait websites as its advertising revenue. So it's either brilliantly brave or completely dense of them. EDIT Holy crap: http://www.clickhole.com/video/video-seems-silly-it-makes-good-point-264 http://www.clickhole.com/video/video-seems-silly-it-makes-go... EDIT I just realized in lowerclase "clickhole" looks like "dickhole". Maybe this was an obvious joke all along and I'm slow.

colanderman 12y ago
They're usually very blatant about where their ad money comes from. See their 7-Up (http://www.theonion.com/video/today-now-offers-7up-ten-chance-for-fruitful-spons,31603/ http://www.theonion.com/video/today-now-offers-7up-ten-chanc...) and Acura (http://www.theonion.com/video/did-the-media-treat-bachmann-unfairly-because-shes,26961/ http://www.theonion.com/video/did-the-media-treat-bachmann-u...) sponsorships. So this doesn't surprise me.
- danielweber 12y ago
  I'm never sure if those product placements are actually paid, or if they're just making fun of the concept.
  - jkestner 12y ago
    Well, it's like the Clickhole site - both. I hate artificial generational terms, but ironic contradiction is something that Millennials are comfortable with. (Ooh, I just did it there.) Blame it on the politicians they grew up with.
jkestner 12y ago
Realistically cynical is the description I'd use.
JimmaDaRustla 12y ago
That video brings satire to a whole new level!
Istof 12y ago
isn't this one better: http://www.clickhole.com/video/what-adorable-little-girl-says-will-melt-your-hear-286 http://www.clickhole.com/video/what-adorable-little-girl-say...
- tootie 12y ago
  Excellent delivery. That girl has a bright future.
  - brightsize 12y ago
    Damn, she IS good. I hope this launches a career.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]

danso 12y ago

I'm not a satirist, but if I were, I'm guessing this would be the best kind of praise.

meritt 12y ago

Facebook has been doing a fair job of banning them. Can't wait for BuzzFeed to be removed next.

nkozyra 12y ago
I think Facebook has tried to block them but they pop up all over the place. The latest one seems to be PetFlow, which is ostensibly some sort of pet site but it's churning out clickbait like mad. In short, I don't think FB has been particularly effective, though I admire(d) the goal.
- imjk 12y ago
  PetFlow was the #1 most engaging brand on across social media before these viral linkbait social sites popped up with genuine and relevant content: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2012/06/26/petflow-walmart-converse-and-more-on-this-weeks-top-10-gainers-in-retail-and-consumer-merchandise-pages/ http://www.insidefacebook.com/2012/06/26/petflow-walmart-con.... After the rise of these viral linkbait sites, Petflow started emulating the model to keep up. I'm sure this has helped them continue to grow and keep up with these rising competitors like Buzzfeed and Viral Nova, but I personally feel like it's hurting their brand. So Alex and Joe (founders of Petflow), if you're listening, stop the bullshit and go back what you were doing. These viral linkbait sites are a fad and will eventually go away or get banned. I don't want you guys to go down the same road.