Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship 1706: The Psychology of a Billion-Dollar Enterprise App: Why is Slack so Habit-Forming by Nir Eyal & Ciara Byrne
Jun 2, 2025
Explore the intriguing psychology behind habit-forming apps like Slack. Discover how internal triggers and consistent cues can help design habits that stick without relying on willpower. Learn why rewarded behaviors get repeated and how the most successful products are not just habit-forming but also incredibly useful. The discussion delves into the hook model, revealing the secrets to enhancing user engagement and loyalty in the workplace.
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Slack's Habit-Forming Hook
- Slack rapidly forms user habits through a four-step hook: trigger, action, reward, and investment.
- This cycle drives high engagement and remarkable user retention of 93%.
Displacing Old Habits with Ease
- Slack displaces existing habits by making current behaviors easier rather than creating new ones.
- It benefits from frequent use, with average users sending 40 messages daily.
Slack as Focus Shield
- Slack reduces distractions by centralizing team communication from multiple tools.
- It shields users from irrelevant triggers flooding their email inboxes, focusing attention on what matters.
