The “Hook Model” for addictive user experiences
Nir Eyal
Nir Eyal answers these questions (and many more) with the Hooked Model – a four-step process that, when embedded into products, subtly encourages customer behaviour. Through consecutive “hook cycles,” these products bring people back again and again.
Why do some products capture our attention while others flop?
What makes us engage with certain things out of sheer habit?
Is there an underlying pattern to how technologies hook us?
Eyal provides readers with practical insights to create user habits that stick; actionable steps for building products people love; and riveting examples, from the iPhone to Twitter, Instagram and Google.
Review
I was asked to recommend a book that has inspired me. Nir Eyal’s Hooked is a compelling exploration of the psychology behind habit-forming products, revealing why apps like Instagram and Facebook keep users coming back. Eyal introduces the “Hook Model” – a four-step cycle (Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, Investment) that companies use to create addictive user experiences.
The book blends behavioural science with practical insights, offering a blueprint for designing products that captivate audiences. Eyal’s examples from tech giants make the concepts tangible, though I’m sure that some readers may question the ethical implications of manipulative design.
While aimed at entrepreneurs and product designers, Hooked also empowers consumers to recognise and resist persuasive tech. A thought-provoking read that balances innovation with responsibility, it’s essential for anyone building, or using digital products in today’s attention economy.
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