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 full of clickbait articles. If the area title used to rank extremely in search outcomes, the brand new clickbait articles may even rank extremely, guaranteeing the prospector a gradual stream of tourists looking the net for frequent phrases.
These zombie websites are everywhere in the internet; you’ve most likely landed on them many instances your self. But this shady market is poised to develop exponentially because of the proliferation of generative AI instruments. Text mills like ChatGPT make it simpler for prospectors to crank out clickbait articles at larger velocity, feeding an already raging river of pablum.
This week, Kate Knibbs tells us about her WIRED story on one among these entrepreneurs on this planet 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 unique 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 may 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
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