Abstract
Integrating the uses and gratifications (U&G) theory, the notion of information richness, and personal epistemology framework, the purpose of this research is to propose and empirically validate a framework which specifies Internet users’ urge to click clickbaits.
The hypotheses in the proposed framework were tested using a between-participants experimental design (N=204) that manipulated information richness (text-only vs. thumbnail clickbaits).
Curiosity, perceived enjoyment, and surveillance were significant predictors of the urge to click. In terms of information richness, the urge to click was higher for thumbnail vis-a-vis text-only clickbaits. Internet-related epistemic beliefs moderated the relation between the gratification of passing time and the urge to click.
This paper represents one of the earliest attempts to investigate Internet users’ urge to click clickbaits. Apart from extending the boundary conditions of the U&G theory, it integrates two other theoretical lenses, namely, the notion of information richness, and personal epistemology framework, to develop and empirically validate a theoretical framework.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 288-303 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Aslib Journal of Information Management |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 8 Dec 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Feb 2021 |
Bibliographical note
This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details.Keywords
- clickbait
- gratifications
- information richness
- information processing
- urge to click
- Internet-related epistemic beliefs