Rage bait trend explained: TikTok is the new breeding ground for infuriating content

Have you ever seen the most irritating post online that you genuinely just cannot believe is real? A customer going off on a minimum wage employee, a husband leaving the house in a state for his wife to clean, or some guy on a podcast explaining why women shouldn’t have rights? I’m sorry to tell you, but it’s definitely on purpose. The rage bait trend is now everywhere on TikTok and all it’s there to do is make you mad.

Rage bait comes in all different forms: Rude Karens in the wild, fights, unpopular opinions or even just somebody doing something slightly irritating like applying too much blush. TikToker Rachel Carlisle has got petty rage bait down to a T: This video of her using an insanely pink blush all over her face went viral, and the comments were not pleased.

@rachelmadisoncarlisle

Sandstorm playing, aperol spritz pouring, blush is blushing #makeup #makeuphacks #makeuptutorial

♬ Darude “Sandstrom” – Frank Trax

One user wrote: “Can you not see that it looks bright red in the end?” Yes babe we can, and I can bet she knows that too.

Another noticed a sly wink at the end of the video and wrote: “Nah with that wink this is DEF rage bait don’t even lie.”

Why does it work so well?

Like most of the videos on TikTok, its main goal is for you to engage: Comment angrily, tag your friends because you’re so outraged or share to your story with a paragraph underneath about why it’s undeniably wrong. TikTok won’t do anything about this problematic rage bait trend because they want you to stay on the app longer, like all social media apps. It’s quite literally a form of marketing.

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Companies are literally making a living off of creating rage bait. Check out this video from an obviously fake plane set that looks like a staged argument: You’ve definitely seen one like it before.

@wendyooo1334

rude passenger on plane gets karma

♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

How to beat rage bait once and for all

Being angry is a very valid emotion, but when you’re being artificially made to feel angry by content that is designed to do exactly that, engaging is the worst thing you can do. Here’s how to steer clear of being sucked into rage bait:

1. Do NOT like or comment on the video. It tells TikTok that you enjoyed it and you’ll start to get a lot more come across your for you page, so keep swiping away!
2. Fact check. If someone’s spreading lies or misinformation online, find out the truth for yourself.
3. Let your anger make a positive change. Consider volunteering, donating, or campaigning for issues you’re passionate about.

@oneeggthanks

This is never to say you shouldnt express your opinion, please do. #raigebait #socialmedia #marketingtactics #annoying #scheme #accounts #block #rage #content #fyp

♬ original sound – belle🐞

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