The web economy is based on clicks. If a site does not get visited or get “hits,” No revenue. That means they need you to click on their headline link to get you to the article to charge an advertiser.
Here’s how site owners are taught to write articles:
- Write a provocative headline.
- Write a two or three sentence first paragraph that is essentially the promise of the article. If this is done well, the reader will get to the second, more in-depth paragraph.
- Fulfill the promise of the headline and first paragraph with well researched and logical information.
Or not.
Turns out they don’t have to fulfill the promise because few stick around to the end of the article! Many even share the article without even knowing what it says at the end.
And some never even go past the point where you have to scroll the page!
Then the cycle repeats.
And everyone gets mad at a false narrative because no one read the article all the way through.
Even real live “news” reporters.