The hottest User Behavior Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Crypto Topics
Silver Bulletin 418 implied HN points 13 Feb 25
  1. Twitter has lost much of its influence compared to its heyday, now having less engagement and relevance in social media discussions. Many users are finding better alternatives for their online engagement.
  2. Despite challenges, Twitter still holds some value for quick updates, memes, and keeping up with special interests. However, its growth seems stagnant, and it's not heading towards a broader 'everything app' vision.
  3. The business model of platforms like Twitter faces inherent issues, as they struggle to balance being a platform and a publisher. This affects their profitability and long-term sustainability.
Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter 4986 implied HN points 16 Jan 25
  1. RedNote, a new app, is gaining popularity as users look for alternatives to TikTok. It focuses on social shopping and creating content about products.
  2. Despite its rapid rise, RedNote might struggle long-term because it has a language barrier and isn't as globally popular as TikTok.
  3. As users enjoy RedNote now, conflicts may arise as happens on most social media platforms. This could change users' perceptions of the app over time.
Creative Destruction 41 implied HN points 19 Feb 25
  1. There's a new term called 'appistocracy,' which describes how a few tech apps and their creators control our daily lives. These powerful apps affect everything from our news to our relationships.
  2. Digital hoarding is like collecting too much stuff online. It includes downloading lots of apps or creating content just to feel safe, but it can take away our ability to control our digital lives.
  3. The internet is changing, moving from a place of links and connections to using AI chatbots for information. This could mean losing the rich web of ideas we used to explore.
Conspirador Norteño 32 implied HN points 14 Feb 25
  1. There is a large network of fake accounts on Bluesky, all created to follow real users quickly and in groups. These accounts look almost identical, using default profile images and very little personal information.
  2. The spam accounts often follow a mix of different types of real accounts, including celebrities and businesses, but they usually don't have much content themselves. They mainly repost or reply with very simple comments.
  3. The way these fake accounts behave, like following in large swarms, makes it easy to spot them. They create a clear pattern that shows they aren't real users.
Disaffected Newsletter 2158 implied HN points 03 Jan 24
  1. People used to enjoy phone calls and felt excited when the phone rang. Now, many find modern phones annoying and feel they serve the demands of companies instead of the user’s needs.
  2. Modern phone users often lack manners and respect for privacy, using features like speakerphone in public without consideration for others. Many don’t think about how their calls affect those around them.
  3. Communication has shifted, and with it, the expectations of basic decency. It's important for users to remember to consider others’ comfort and privacy when making calls.
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Software Design: Tidy First? 375 implied HN points 17 Dec 24
  1. Exploring new ideas is important, but they should be tested carefully to see if they work.
  2. Sometimes, even if an idea works, it might have negative side effects that aren't worth it.
  3. The best experiments are those that try new things without risking too much; it's all about learning and improving.
Pekingnology 158 implied HN points 14 Jan 25
  1. Many TikTok users in the U.S. are moving to a Chinese app called RedNote due to fears of a TikTok ban. This has led to an increase in the app's popularity.
  2. RedNote is like a mix of TikTok and Instagram, mainly used by young people to share lifestyle tips. However, it hasn't been widely known outside of Chinese-speaking areas until now.
  3. The move raises concerns about content moderation and privacy. RedNote may struggle with foreign-language content and could face pressure from Chinese regulations as more American users join.
Conspirador Norteño 80 implied HN points 16 Nov 24
  1. Bluesky is getting a lot of new users, but some of those accounts are fake. These inauthentic accounts often use the same photos and bios, making them easy to spot.
  2. The bogus accounts post similar things, like photos of fitness centers and coffee, and use identical captions. This makes it clear they aren't real people.
  3. These fake accounts seem to follow popular liberal users from X and try to blend in. As more people join Bluesky, the influence of these inauthentic accounts could grow.
Gentle Nudge 99 implied HN points 17 May 24
  1. Behavior depends on three factors: motivation, ability, and prompts.
  2. Product loops play a crucial role in user engagement and retention, involving triggers, actions, variable rewards, and investments.
  3. Consider additional variables like schedule, existing routines, sequences, and organic frequency when designing product loops for sustainable user engagement.
Hot Takes 471 implied HN points 07 Jul 23
  1. Threads faces challenges in attracting users away from established platforms due to oversaturation and user fatigue.
  2. The lack of financial incentives for users on Threads puts it at a disadvantage in a landscape where users value their time and content.
  3. Privacy concerns, trust issues, and the risk of censorship could deter users from joining Threads, impacting its success.
Men Yell at Me 168 implied HN points 18 Nov 24
  1. Many people have been leaving Twitter/X since the recent election. They are trying out other platforms like BlueSky or Instagram.
  2. Some people are considering taking a break from social media altogether. Others might even think about disconnecting completely and going off the grid.
  3. The post invites readers to share their own plans for social media over the next four years, encouraging a conversation about online presence.
Generating Conversation 46 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. AI products require users to change their mindset. Instead of expecting a perfect answer right away, users learn to work with AI to get better results over time.
  2. AI doesn't just replace existing tasks; it creates new opportunities. Users can now ask AI to do many things that were difficult or time-consuming before.
  3. Using AI tools gives valuable insights into user behavior. Users feel more comfortable asking simple or repetitive questions that they wouldn't ask a human, providing helpful data for improving the product.
Data Analysis Journal 275 implied HN points 20 Sep 23
  1. Root cause analysis is essential for understanding unexpected changes in user behavior or metric decline.
  2. Tools like Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can pinpoint anomalies quickly, but additional work is needed to truly understand why something is happening.
  3. Analyzing the 'what' and 'why' behind metrics decline or user behavior change requires a comprehensive framework.
Sunday Letters 159 implied HN points 04 Sep 23
  1. Users are often seen as lazy, but that's because they are busy and don’t have time to adjust to new things unless it’s really worth it.
  2. For people to adopt a new habit or product, the benefit must be significantly greater than the effort it takes to change, often needing to be ten times better or solve an existing problem.
  3. When creating products, it's crucial to understand the user's total experience and ensure the solution truly simplifies their life, or they simply won’t bother adapting.
Mind Prison 13 implied HN points 27 Nov 24
  1. Technology keeps us entertained but can limit our creativity. Constant stimulation from devices can make it hard for us to think deeply or come up with new ideas.
  2. Boredom is a key part of our thinking process. It helps our brains reset and can lead us to explore new ideas and solutions if we let it.
  3. Ignoring boredom by filling our time with distractions can hurt our ability to develop skills. If we always seek instant entertainment, we miss chances for growth and creativity.
UX Psychology 119 implied HN points 28 Jul 23
  1. Traditional UX research methods focus on qualitative data from interviews, surveys, and tests, but new approaches like eye tracking and mouse tracking offer deeper insights into unconscious user behaviors.
  2. Eye tracking technology maps users' gaze on screens, providing insights into attention, distractions, and navigation patterns, although it can be costly and requires specialized equipment.
  3. Mouse tracking records hand movements and decision-making processes, complementing eye tracking data to reveal user interactions and uncover hidden pain points in interfaces.
Working Theorys 86 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  1. A great premise gives context and comfort for users to engage in actions they might otherwise find challenging
  2. Great premises are the foundation of successful products and brands, normalizing behaviors or beliefs that were previously not accepted or considered mainstream
  3. Powerful premises lead to strong identities for products and businesses, shaping brand decisions and marketing strategies
The Data Score 59 implied HN points 10 May 23
  1. Achieving product/market fit is crucial for the success of a startup or new product as it means the product meets the needs and preferences of the target market, leading to customer satisfaction and retention.
  2. Iterating on a handcrafted approach at the start can help find product/market fit before scaling to avoid unwanted tech debt and ensure the product evolves to meet client outcomes.
  3. To determine product/market fit, look for signs like user retention, surveys showing strong customer preference, and organic growth, then iterate quickly based on critical feedback to ensure the product is indispensable to users.
The Kahneman Bot 39 implied HN points 13 Feb 23
  1. Behavioral frameworks play a crucial role in product development by focusing on influencing user behavior and decision-making.
  2. Frameworks like EAST, Hooked, and Influence offer practical guidelines for improving products by making actions easy, attractive, and timely.
  3. Models like COM-B and Fogg's Behavior Model help product teams consider the wider environment and factors influencing user behavior.
UX Psychology 79 implied HN points 11 Apr 22
  1. Participants in research studies often change their natural behavior to match what they think the researcher expects.
  2. Demand characteristics, the Hawthorne effect, and social desirability bias are related but have subtle differences in how they impact participant behavior.
  3. To mitigate the impact of demand characteristics in UX research, strategies like using a double-blind approach, being mindful of participant cues, recruiting diverse participants, and employing methodological triangulation can be effective.
Build Startup In Public 1 HN point 06 May 24
  1. People naturally form habits to make their daily lives easier. It takes about 66 days on average to build a new habit, with morning habits being easier to establish than evening ones.
  2. Startups benefit when users develop habits around their products. This leads to more loyal customers and can increase a company's ability to raise prices while keeping users engaged.
  3. However, if companies push too hard to create addictive habits, it can backfire. Users may feel wasted time and resentment, leading them to abandon the app. Healthy engagement should be the goal, not just increasing time spent.
philsiarri 0 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  1. Dating apps are changing their focus from finding romantic partners to building friendships, as many users are getting tired of dating apps. For example, Bumble created Bumble For Friends and gained a lot of new users quickly.
  2. Despite launching friendship features, major dating apps like Bumble and Tinder are experiencing drops in user numbers. Bumble lost 8% and Tinder lost 16%, showing that user engagement is a real issue.
  3. There is big competition in the friendship app space, with new platforms that cater to people looking for group activities or travel buddies. Some experts think that getting involved in local events might be a better way to make friends than using these apps.
Talking to Computers: The Email 0 implied HN points 14 Jun 24
  1. Using synonyms in search helps users find what they need faster. It allows them to use their own words instead of worrying about exact terms.
  2. Creating synonyms can be tricky, but observing how users search can help build a better list. Watching what terms people actually use is more effective than guessing.
  3. While synonyms cover many cases, they struggle with specific long terms. For more complex searches, vector search technology might be a better solution.
CommandBlogue 0 implied HN points 20 Mar 24
  1. Always have back and forward buttons in apps to help users navigate easily. This small change can make a big difference.
  2. Users should not need to understand the whole site layout to find their way around. It’s key for new users to feel confident while using the app.
  3. Making users feel smart and comfortable boosts their overall experience. If they don’t feel lost, they’re more likely to stick around.
Joseph Gefroh 0 implied HN points 17 Feb 24
  1. Product analytics and instrumentation are crucial for Product Managers to make effective decisions and understand user behavior.
  2. Product Managers should have a strong grasp of product analytics, identifying what to instrument, and performing basic analysis themselves.
  3. Knowing who is using the product, what actions they are taking, and the context of their actions is essential for effective product analysis.