Here’s What to Know About Clickbait: Effects of Image, Headline and Editing on Audience Attitudes

Abstract

This experimental study examines responses to three features of news practice: headline style, selection of illustrations, and level of processing applied to the text. The strongest influence on perceptions of quality or credibility come from editing, though the use of stock illustrations has an independent effect on perceptions of writing quality, and the presence of editing also influences whether traditional or clickbait headlines are associated with better memory for story details. News use, Internet use, news source and field of study also influence outcomes.