Let’s first make sure that we understand what Clickbait is:

‘’Clickbait is a term used to describe a certain type of Internet content that uses sensationalism or is provocative in nature. It is used to grab the attention of readers and draw them to a particular web page.’’

Oh, the desire to earn quick cash through making people clicking your articles and ads! While there are many websites who do it, I am pretty sure they are wasting their potential over-time. Even if you jump-start your website through writing clickbait, you should focus on the long run and switch to offering valuable information to your readers. Otherwise you will eventually get lost in the sea of Internet noise.

Here are some ways on how clickbait headlines hurt your website:

Value

You should be aware that any serious website is trying to offer valued information for the time any reader is investing. Creating a clickbait headline may create a spark across social media, but it will also backfire when it turns out that it was all just a scam. Make no mistake, attractive headlines work, but don’t push it to far by trying to create a sensation among the public that your article is the next step in evolution.

Example: A Simple Way to Earn Million Dollars in Just a Few Weeks

Are you serious? If anyone had an answer to this question and if it were this easy, everyone would make million dollars. There are always gullible people online, but even they will turn away from you as soon as they discover that your article is kind of shady and doesn’t really offer that ‘simple way’ in the headlines.

And if it all goes well for you, then comes to problem on how to write an even more impressive clickbait headline that will draw more audience. And after a while comes the distrust! People just scroll over your articles on social media (many of the smart ones block you) and you can say goodbye to direct website visits.

Spam

Believe it or not, both Google and Facebook have developed strategies to fight Internet noise and you can easily be flagged as spam if you are not being careful.

With clickbait headlines you may get the readers to come to your site, but it doesn’t mean they will stay or read through the pile of trash that awaits them. Basically, your bounce rates are going to sky-rocket and that only means that the information in the article is not helpful to anyone. That will influence your Google rank and just bury you so deep in Google Search that even you will feel lazy to look your website up.

Conclusion

And while I can offer you and infinite list on how clickbait headlines hurt your website, these are the shortest explanations. If you would like to start a discussion on the topic, I’m always glad to hear ‘the other side’.