Don’t Take the Bait:  Even Snacks Can Be Clickbait

If you’ve ever found yourself searching store shelves for clear ketchup or chocolate-flavored Pringles after seeing them on Instagram… you might’ve been snackfished.

Snackfishing is a growing trend where influencers post fake—but highly convincing—photos or videos of outrageous food products.  These “products” don’t actually exist, but they look real enough to send curious snackers on a wild goose chase.  It’s a playful jab at the food industry’s habit of releasing bizarre or gimmicky items just to go viral (pickle-flavored soda, anyone?).

While most of these posts are meant as jokes, they’re surprisingly effective at fooling people.  That’s the point:  snackfishing shows just how easy it is to believe what we see online—especially when it’s paired with eye-catching visuals and buzzworthy hashtags.

Is it the end of the world if you get tricked by a fake snack?  Definitely not.  But it’s a helpful reminder to pause before hitting share or hopping in the car to track one down.  Just because something looks real doesn’t mean it is.

The takeaway?  Have fun with viral content, but keep a healthy dose of skepticism in your back pocket—especially when snacks are involved!

When it comes to sorting fact from fiction in your tech world, contact IT Radix for help.

First published in our October 2025 IT Radix Resource newsletter