The Truth About Clickbait: What Actually Works 🎯

The Truth About Clickbait: What Actually Works

I’ve often wondered about The Truth About Clickbait: What Actually Works. Should I be using clickbait? Will it help my channel? I’ve never used it because I’m not one to lead my viewers on or to trick them into watching my videos. I decided to ask vidIQ to see what it would recommend. My question was; “Is it a good idea to use clickbait in your headings and thumbnails?” And, here is

Here’s the deal: clickbait exists on a spectrum, and understanding the difference between misleading clickbait and curiosity-driven packaging is crucial for your comedy channel’s growth.

The Two Types of Clickbait

The Truth About Clickbait: What Actually Works — Image created with **Artistly**

❌ Misleading Clickbait (Avoid This)

Promises jokes or stories not delivered in your video
Shows reactions or scenarios that don’t actually appear
Uses exaggerated claims about joke quality
Creates false urgency or scarcity

✅ Curiosity-Driven Packaging (Use This)

Accurately previews your joke without revealing the punchline
Shows genuine expressions that match your video’s energy
Highlights relatable scenarios your Aussie audience recognizes
Delivers on the promise made in the title and thumbnail

Why This Matters for Your Channel

Research shows misleading clickbait can boost your CTR by 30%+ initially, but here’s the catch: YouTube’s algorithm in 2025 prioritizes watch time and retention over clicks alone. When viewers feel deceived, they:

Leave quickly (killing your retention)
Click “Not Interested” (reducing recommendations)
Lose trust in your channel (hurting long-term growth)

For a comedy channel like yours with 1,300 subscribers, building trust is more valuable than temporary CTR spikes.

Your Winning Formula 🎭

For Titles:

Lead with the setup, not the punchline: “This Bloke Walked Into A Bar With A Kangaroo” ✓
Avoid vague clickbait: “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next” ✗
Use specific, intriguing premises that accurately preview the joke

For Thumbnails:

Show your genuine Pete expressions matching the video’s energy
Add bold text highlighting the joke category or setup
Include visual elements from the actual content
Maintain consistent branding so viewers trust your packaging

The Bottom Line

Use bold, curiosity-driven packaging that accurately represents your content. Successful comedy channels grow by creating pattern interrupts that spark curiosity without deception. Your goal: make viewers think “I need to hear this joke” while ensuring they’re never disappointed when they click.

Want me to analyze some of your recent videos to see how your current titles and thumbnails are performing? I can give you specific suggestions for improvement! 📊