hooked-ux

Use the Hook Model's four phases: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment. Start with an external trigger, make the core action completable in under 60 seconds, deliver an unpredictable reward, then ask for a small investment that loads the next trigger.

Audit the first loop against the onboarding checklist: obvious first action, immediate variable reward, and investment requested only after reward. Transition users from external triggers like push notifications to internal emotional triggers within 30 days.

External triggers are environmental prompts like notifications, emails, and ads that initiate early behavior. Internal triggers are emotions like boredom, loneliness, or FOMO that drive unprompted habitual usage, and they are the ultimate goal of habit design.

Avoid it when the product does not genuinely improve users' lives, targets vulnerable populations like children or addiction-prone users, or when the business model depends on user regret. Use the Manipulation Matrix to check whether you are a Facilitator or a Dealer.

Predictable rewards lose power because dopamine responds to anticipation of uncertain rewards, not the rewards themselves. Introduce variability across tribe, hunt, and self reward types to sustain engagement.