Summary

The article humorously critiques the use of numeric clickbait titles and the psychological tactics that compel readers to continue reading despite recognizing the manipulation.

Abstract

The author of "5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Read This Article" ironically employs the very tactics they criticize, such as using numerals in titles and engaging visuals, to illustrate how these methods draw readers in. They acknowledge the effectiveness of numbers in titles, suggesting they imply substantial content and a good use of time, while also admitting the difficulty in resisting the allure of such headlines. The article further explores the impact of images, formatting, and the human desire to complete started tasks, all of which contribute to the compulsion to read on. It also touches on the arbitrary nature of list lengths in articles and the false promise of productivity that they often represent.

Opinions

The author believes that numeric titles are manipulative and overused, yet they concede to their effectiveness in attracting readers.
There is a critique of the use of engaging images as a form of wish fulfillment that falsely suggests reading the article will lead to productivity.
The article suggests that Medium's clean text formatting and use of white space make it easier for readers to continue reading than to stop.
The author points out a psychological tendency to complete tasks once started, which in this case means finishing the article.
The number of items in a list is seen as somewhat arbitrary, with the author noting that seven is considered an optimal number for lists, though any single digit can be effective.
The author expresses a sense of irony and apologizes for using manipulative tactics to engage readers in a discussion about those very tactics.

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Read This Article

But probably will

1 — You should avoid getting lured in by numeric clickbait titles

You just proved the effectiveness of numerals in a title — gotcha!

While reviewing which articles made most money on Medium, I was stunned by the percentage of articles earning over $1,000 which had numerals in the title, either a single digit, as in the above headline, or a monetary value, such as how much money the author made, or the reader could make.

What is the psychology that makes this so effective? One theory is that numbers are seen as more factual and substantive than words, so when used in a title they give the impression that valuable real information will be imparted, and that your time will therefore be well-invested.

I’m so sorry!

I’m not sure how to guard against this effect in myself. Even when fully aware of such overt manipulation, I automatically find myself selecting the articles with numbers in the headline.

I suppose becoming aware is the start of the fightback.

2 — The picture at the top is pure wish fulfillment

The attraction of seeing a picture of a busy person is that it makes you feel a little bit busy too. Maybe subconsciously you are kidding yourself that reading this article is the launch pad to a productive rest of the day.

I’m afraid not.

You are going to spend the rest of the day just as unproductively, unless you get a grip. You can stop reading now. These first two points are all I really have to say on the matter. Just go. Now.

3 — Seriously? You’re still here?

Ok, one more observation. Medium makes it delightfully simple to produce well-formatted, clean blocks of text, which draw the eye in and make it easier to carry on reading than it is to stop.

And did I mention white space? When reading matter is presented in such easily digestible bite-sized chunks, it helps the eye to jump from one to the next and makes it much harder to call a halt to your reading.

See what I mean?

4 — By now you are on autopilot

There is another psychological factor at play here. We all like to complete what we started, and since we have committed to reading a list of 5 items, we would feel at a loose end if we abandoned the task halfway.

On the other hand, to continue might make you feel empty and used (and not in a good way). I don’t know how many articles I have read which just leave me feeling vacant at the end, the reading equivalent of gorging on candyfloss and instantly regretting all those empty calories.

Sensing this, I probably speed up towards the end, just to get it over with.

If you are a writer, check the discrepancy between estimated and actual read times, and you know where it comes from — that urge to complete a task we have started, satisfied by accelerating towards the end.

5 — Maybe I should change the heading to “4 Reasons Why…”

The number of items in the list is fairly arbitrary, and has doubtless been adjusted to whatever number of examples the author can dream up.

Irrespective of the eventual number, it is going to sound serious and definitive. As explained in Item 1 above.

Studies have shown (*come back to insert actual reference*) that 7 items in your list is the optimal number, but any single digit works well, as people can know that:

a) it’s not going to take up too much of their time, and

b) it’s going to be concrete, actionable advice, and will fire them up to go off and do something productive, despite the fact that number-based lists have never achieved that effect in the past.

Good luck in building up your resistance to such manipulative practices, and profuse apologies for having used them on you to get you to read about them.

Thanks for reading!

If you are unduly influenced by numbers in titles, you might like these:

87,000 Types of Coffee

But not the one that I want

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Two languages | Two souls

And the route to immortality

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