1. Online content (headlines, links, thumbnails) designed to attract clicks by using sensationalism, curiosity, or misleading information rather than substance.
Usage: informal; often pejorative

1. To use sensationalized or misleading headlines or content to trick people into clicking a link.
Usage: informal; third-person singular present or plural

Examples

• The website is full of clickbaits that promise shocking celebrity gossip.
• She clickbaits her social media followers with exaggerated thumbnail images.
• Many news outlets use clickbaits to increase their traffic and ad revenue.
• The article's headline clickbaits readers into thinking the story is more dramatic than it actually is.
• He refuses to share clickbaits on his blog because he values honest journalism.
• Clickbaits often lead to low-quality or irrelevant content.
• The video thumbnail clickbaits viewers with false promises of exclusive footage.