Clickhole

These sources exclusively use humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Primarily these sources are clear that they are satire and do not attempt to deceive.  See all Satire sources.

• Overall, we rate Clickhole a clearly defined satire website that pokes fun at both parties and anything in pop culture.

Detailed Report

Country: USA
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 45/180

History

Founded in 2014, by The Onion, Inc. Clickhole is an appropriately disclosed satire website. According to their about page “ClickHole is the latest and greatest online social experience filled with the most clickable, irresistibly shareable content anywhere on the internet.” The current editor-in-chief is Steve Etheridge.

Read our profile on United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Clickhole is owned by G/O Media Inc. which is a media company that runs Gizmodo, Kotaku, Jezebel, The Onion, and other sister websites. G/O was formed in early 2019 when Great Hill Partners, a private equity firm, purchased the websites from Univision. Revenue is derived from advertising.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Clickhole publishes humorous satire news that is disclaimed on their about page, and at the bottom of pages with this statement “ClickHole uses invented names in all of its stories, except in cases where public figures are being satirized. Any other use of real names is accidental and coincidental.” In very clear words they are satire.

A sample story from Clickhole reads like this Heartbreaking: This Man Has Been Working For Weeks Under The Impression That He’s An Essential Worker. While there are stories that are clearly political most simply are capturing the moment and satirizing it. Another example is this Fighting Impeachment: Trump Has Had Barron Bury Him Up To The Neck In The White House Lawn So That He Cannot Be Removed From Office. This is a clearly disclaimed satire website.

Overall, we rate Clickhole a clearly defined satire website that pokes fun at both parties and anything in pop culture. (D. Van Zandt 8/9/2016) Updated (6/6/2020)