Hooked is a comprehensive guide for app developers, offering insights into creating habit-forming products. While it's highly informative and useful for developers, it falls short in addressing the ethical implications of such designs and the problem of trolling. The book emphasizes commercial success but could benefit from a more balanced approach that considers the well-being of users.
Hooked by Nir Eyal and Ryan Hoover is a must-read for app developers, providing a detailed manual on how to build habit-forming products. The book deconstructs various examples of successful apps, highlighting the psychological principles behind their design. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding user behavior and creating products that can go viral. However, the book's focus on commercial success and the lack of emphasis on ethical considerations and troll prevention are notable shortcomings. The reviewer appreciates the book's practical insights but believes it could benefit from a more balanced perspective that prioritizes user well-being and safety. The book's emphasis on the bottom line and the potential for misuse of psychological principles raises ethical concerns, making it a double-edged sword for developers.
Quick quotes
The book is an appdev manual, a tech manifesto and a psych 101 textbook all-in-one.
With that kind of focus, Eyal is reaching for the speaking gigs at Google.
The emphasis could have easily leaned a little more Jedi and still have landed Eyal the Google speaking gigs.