With this post, you have come across the third most common type of internet content, which has one goal: to collect your personal data and increase the reach of dubious sites.
This is the so-called fun clickbait/engagement bait. These quick psychological quizzes (“Choose a cup/key/animal and I’ll tell you who you are”) look innocent, but they have a very thoughtful background.
Why are these tests so popular and how do they work?
The Barnum effect: The results of these tests are written in such a general way (e.g. “You are a strong person, but sometimes you need peace”) that absolutely everyone can find something in them. The person then feels that the test “really works”, and shares it further.
Playing on emotions: Challenges to choose a cup often promise to reveal hidden truths about your character, stress resistance, or future.
Collecting comments and likes: Social media algorithms love it when people write numbers in the comments (e.g., “I choose cup number 3”). The more comments a post has, the more people the network will show it to.
What is the hidden risk?
Links to dangerous websites: Often, the text below the image says: “You can find the full test result HERE.” When you click on the website, you are redirected to pages full of aggressive advertising, viruses, or fraudulent contests.
Data mining: If the test is in the form of an application that asks you to log in via Facebook, you are giving unknown creators access to your friend list, email, and personal information. This information is then sold to marketing companies or abused for targeted fraud.
Future transformation of the page: A page that collects likes today with “coffee cups” can have thousands of followers in a month. The owner then sells it and the new owner renames it and starts spreading dangerous misinformation, political propaganda or investment scams on it.
How to behave?
If you want to look at the picture for fun, feel free to do so. But do not write in the comments, do not click on links leading outside the social network and do not share the test.
No picture of six cups from the Internet will give you a real psychological profile of your ability to cope with life’s challenges. Do you like these types of visual puzzles, or are you tired of how many of them appear on the Internet now?