Rage baiting (also called rage-farming) is a manipulative online tactic designed to provoke anger or outrage in people, with the goal of increasing internet traffic, engagement, followers, and revenue
. It typically involves posting inflammatory, offensive, or exaggerated content-such as headlines, memes, or comments-that triggers strong emotional reactions, especially anger
. This tactic exploits psychological responses: anger heightens attention and compels impulsive reactions, making people more likely to comment, share, or engage without critical evaluation
. Social media algorithms amplify rage-baiting content because posts that generate high engagement (likes, shares, comments) are promoted to wider audiences, creating a cycle of outrage and visibility
. Rage baiting is often used in political contexts to mobilize supporters and attack opponents by spreading misinformation or conspiracy theories, sometimes leading to offline verbal or physical violence
. It is considered a form of clickbait and media manipulation, leveraging divisive or polarizing topics to maximize impact regardless of truth or credibility
. In summary, rage baiting is the deliberate creation or sharing of provocative content designed to make people angry, thereby driving online interaction and benefiting the content creator or platform financially or politically