Domains have worth, even when the web sites that have been as soon as hosted there are shut down or deserted. Prospectors will typically swoop in and snatch up an unused area, then erect a brand new web site stuffed with clickbait articles. If the area identify used to rank extremely in search outcomes, the brand new clickbait articles can even rank extremely, guaranteeing the prospector a gradual stream of tourists looking the online for frequent phrases.
These zombie websites are all around the net; you’ve most likely landed on them many occasions your self. However this shady market is poised to develop exponentially because of the proliferation of generative AI instruments. Textual content turbines like ChatGPT make it simpler for prospectors to crank out clickbait articles at better pace, feeding an already raging river of pablum.
This week, Kate Knibbs tells us about her WIRED story on considered one of these entrepreneurs on the planet of AI-generated clickbait hosted on squatted domains.
Present Notes
Learn Kate’s story about Nebojša Vujinović Vujo and his clickbait empire. Additionally learn Kate’s authentic investigation into what occurred to The Hairpin, a preferred weblog for womens’ writing that went defunct and was then reborn as a content material mill.
Suggestions
Kate recommends the novella Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler. Brian recommends the novel The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Lauren recommends giving up fancy, creamy espresso drinks for Lent. Mike recommends the social media platform BlueSky, which is now open to everybody.
Kate Knibbs might be discovered on social media @Knibbs. Brian Barrett is @brbarrett. Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode. Michael Calore is @snackfight. Bling the principle hotline at @GadgetLab. The present is produced by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth). Our theme music is by Photo voltaic Keys.
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