With Google dominating the advertising and SEO sectors, this is a question that I have frequently been asking myself of late because many of the titles of YouTube videos and tech articles scream clickbait. But more than that, most websites need advertising revenue to survive, and that includes tech sites such as DCT. I write about topics that grab my attention, either in an amusing way or that may have an impact on us as humans. Sock salesman and angry masseurs aside, I can’t see any point in writing about something that I have zero interest in because my heart simply wouldn’t be in it. However, many articles thrown at me through Google News simply smack of headline-grabbing clickbait. The same can be said for many YouTube videos with titles that are misleading and simply phrased to exploit curiosity, and hence, more views, because more views mean more revenue.
Misleading YouTube Video Titles
I follow the intrepid Dutch motorcyclist, Itchy Boots/Noraly Schoenmaker, who is currently doing a book tour of the UK. A few weeks ago, she had her loaned motorcycle stolen outside a hotel in South Wales, but later recovered it, fortunately largely undamaged. The title grabbed my attention – My Motorcycle TRASHED and STOLEN in Wales and this is how they did it. Naturally, we were all a little shocked by the episode, especially since she has ridden bikes all over the world and in some dangerous areas, so being Wales, we were very surprised. Anyway, at least there was a happy ending. A few days later, she uploaded another video from Wales with the title – First they steal my motorcycle and now this. I am LEAVING Wales.
My immediate thought was, what now? What’s happened to her again? I was expecting perhaps another theft or something worse. The implication in the title is that she was pissed off with Wales and was making a sharp exit. But no, nothing like that at all. She had gone off-road into the beautiful hills of West Wales with fluffy sheep roaming around, came across a rocky incline, and correctly decided that it was too tricky to attempt, so she decided to turn back. Another video had the title – England destroyed my equipment. But am I prepared for what’s north of the border? It turns out that her drone had developed a fault and would no longer take off. So England hardly destroyed her equipment, did it?
Do you see what I mean about how titles can be misleading? I’ve particularly enjoyed her UK videos because England, Scotland, and Wales are spectacular in summer, and her filming in 4K is incredible. I’ve even walked or driven many of the routes she took, but of course, with her not being a native English speaker, perhaps one can allow a certain license.
Have you come across some intentionally headline-grabbing titles recently? If so, please let us know.
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