Elle Magazine fooled social media users into clicking on a voter registration link, after the publication falsely tweeted Kim Kardashian West and her husband Kanye West were splitting up.

“Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are splitting up,” Elle Magazine tweeted Thursday afternoon.

[Also read: Taylor Swift encourages followers to vote early]



Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are splitting up 😱💔 https://t.co/epwKG7aSBg pic.twitter.com/u7qqojWVlR — ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 18, 2018



Elle Magazine’s tweet, however, provided a link that took users to a voter registration page, which said nothing of the Wests splitting up.

“So far in the primaries, women have beat long-time incumbents and created historic races, all while redefining what it looks like to be a woman in politics,” read the page, powered by the group When We All Vote. “And now you have the opportunity to vote for them, or whomever you choose, in the midterm elections. No matter your party or your state, it’s more essential than ever to make your voice heard. Take a few minutes to complete the form below, and be sure to cast your vote on Nov. 6.”

The tweet received backlash from users who argued the tweet was misleading.



this is a link to a voter registration page, which implies that elle readers aren't interested in voting unless they're being tricked into it with fake celeb breakup news, which seems...super insulting to elle readers, actually?



</humorlessness> https://t.co/u5o9d6fJhC — Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) October 18, 2018

These are real people, with a real relationship -- do better, Elle. https://t.co/aV4tVkY57v — Nancy French (@NancyAFrench) October 18, 2018



However, CNN political commentator Chris Cillizza called it a “brilliant” tactic.



This is brilliant https://t.co/piqIa5j1dZ — Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) October 18, 2018



Elle Magazine tweeted out an apology for the "bad joke," however, did not delete the original tweet.



We made a bad joke. Our passion for voter registration clouded our judgement and we are sincerely sorry. https://t.co/cYGGrpfBCz — ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 18, 2018



The 2018 midterm elections will be held on Nov. 6. A total of 37 states and the District of Columbia allow voters to participate in early voting.