Have you ever seen a news article, blog, or social post about something so infuriating that you just had to comment and add your two cents? If so, you may have been a victim of rage bait.
Headlines like:
“Why [Your Favorite Celebrity] Is the Worst Role Model for Your Kids”
“The Shocking Truth About [Controversial Social Issue] That No One Is Telling You”
“Why Dogs Should Be Able To Vote In 2024”
Are designed with one thing in mind: stirring enough outrage that people feel obligated to comment, react, and share. The old phrase “all publicity is good publicity” applies to any online algorithm, meaning the more engagement something gets, the more popular it will become, and it will grow exponentially from there.
In today’s digital landscape, it’s becoming increasingly important to know what rage bait is, how to identify it, and how to best respond to it. Otherwise, you might inadvertently end up being part of the force that spreads outrage and misinformation across the internet.
What exactly is rage bait?
Rage bait is a type of content specifically created to provoke strong emotions, particularly anger or outrage, to get people to engage with it. It’s often used as a tactic to drive clicks, shares, and comments since people are more likely to react strongly to something that upsets them. This increased engagement can make the content go viral, spreading rapidly across social media and drawing more attention. A misleading headline, a social media post that exaggerates or distorts information to spark controversy, or a blog post with an inflammatory title can all be considered rage bait.
How do you know when something is rage bait?
Unfortunately, it can be hard to distinguish when something is purposefully outrageous and when someone just has a very different opinion than you. However, rage bait generally emphasizes one or more of the following techniques:
Sensationalism: Rage bait often uses sensational or exaggerated headlines to grab your attention. Phrases like “You won’t believe what happened!” or “This is the worst thing ever!” are designed to create shock and draw you in.
Emotionally Charged Language: Rage bait relies heavily on emotional language to provoke a reaction. Words like “disgusting,” “horrible,” or “unbelievable” are often used to stir up anger or outrage.
Misleading or Incomplete Information: Rage bait may present information in a way that is misleading or only tells part of the story. It might take quotes or facts out of context to make the situation seem worse than it actually is, encouraging readers to react without knowing the full picture.
Controversial Topics: Rage bait often focuses on controversial subjects, such as politics, social issues, or celebrity scandals, to create debates and conflict. These topics are chosen because they are likely to divide opinions and provoke emotional responses.
If you come across content that seems to have been designed to make people angry, it’s a good idea to take a step back and consider whether or not that might be the intended purpose. Look for credible sources, check if the information is being presented fairly, and be cautious of headlines that seem like they are indeed baiting you with rage.
What is the best way to respond to rage bait?
Rage bait is the school bullies of internet content; They are just trying to get your attention, and the best way to get them to stop is to ignore them in the first place. It can be hard to do, especially when you notice that something is spreading harmful or misleading content, but you are better off reporting the content directly rather than commenting on it or sharing it with friends who will also want to get into comment wars with people. Giving this type of content attention will only cause it to spread it further. Reporting it and unfollowing the user who posted/created it are the best ways to respond under outrage.
An Outrageous Bid For Attention
It’s easy to say don’t fall victim to rage bait, but we’ve all been in a position where someone posts about how “Maple Walnut Ice Cream Is Only For Old People, And Here’s Why” and you are so offended (because maple walnut ice cream is delicious) that you just have to get into a fight in the comments over it. We all tend to lose our heads when it comes to being online, and making sure that you are taking a step back to evaluate the content being pushed toward you is one of the best ways to make sure you aren’t falling into the rage bait trap.
