Optimize user guidance

Reactance

Don't like to be told what to do.

Hand-drawn two people with speech bubbles; one points left saying “Du musst nach links gehen”, the other says “Ich gehe nach rechts”.

How it works

The urge to do the opposite of what one is told to do. Out of the need not to have one's own freedom of choice restricted.

When to use it

Use the effect if you want to increase orientation and influence how your product is perceived.

Avoid this

Avoid being perceived as too authoritarian. Make suggestions instead.

Online examples from practice

Suggestions

Avoid being too authoritarian on your website.

  • Suggest to your users how they can solve their problem instead of imposing something on them.
  • Your visitors will do exactly what you “forbid” them to do - you can incorporate this in a funny way.
True Fruits smoothie bottle with a greyed Don't click button on the left, an arrow, and a layered fruit stack with a Little rebel button on the right.

All 80 triggers as a printed card set

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