Domain names 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 gentle stream of tourists looking the online for widespread phrases.
These zombie websites are all around the internet; you’ve most likely landed on them many instances your self. But this shady market is poised to develop exponentially due to the proliferation of generative AI instruments. Text mills like ChatGPT make it simpler for prospectors to crank out clickbait articles at higher velocity, feeding an already raging river of pablum.
This week, Kate Knibbs tells us about her WIRED story on one in all these entrepreneurs on the earth of AI-generated clickbait hosted on squatted domains.
Show Notes
Read Kate’s story about Nebojša Vujinović Vujo and his clickbait empire. Also learn Kate’s authentic investigation into what occurred to The Hairpin, a well-liked weblog for womens’ writing that went defunct and was then reborn as a content material mill.
Recommendations
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 Solar Keys.
How to Listen
You can at all times take heed to this week’s podcast by means of the audio participant on this web page, however if you wish to subscribe without spending a dime to get each episode, here is how:
If you are on an iPhone or iPad, open the app known as Podcasts, or simply faucet this hyperlink. You may obtain an app like Overcast or Pocket Casts, and seek for Gadget Lab. If you utilize Android, yow will discover us within the Google Podcasts app simply by tapping right here. We’re on Spotify too. And in case you really want it, here is the RSS feed.
