Thread by Abhishek Shah

twitter.com
1 Recommender
1 Mention
Recommend
Post
Save
Complete
Collect
Thread
Imagine gamifying your app so well that the govt. files a case against you.

Robinhood made it happen...

Here's the 7-step (illegal) guide to gamification you can't be using:
1/ Celebrate the small wins

Whether it's their first trade or purchase, celebrate it.

It sets the tone that:

• you're with them
• rooting for them

The most basic form of positive reinforcement, and the ROI is high.
2/ Highlight the bigger trends

This does two things:

• sells the dream outcome (max profit)
• simplifies decisions (follow the herd)
3.1. Avoiding Red

Robinhood knows that Red is associated with failure.

So what do they do?

Use Orange instead. It's associated with optimism and energy.
3.2 Using Bright Jungle Green

Beyond its eye-damaging brightness, this color can be seen 2 ways:

• symbol of wealth - green dollar bills
• symbol of calm - nature

For Robinhood, that's the golden combo: Wealthy & Calm.
4/ Eliminate the clutter

When the design is minimalistic, there's lesser to digest...

Lesser information = lesser load
= lesser decisions = more money

Think about it in terms of Hick's Law.

I wrote more about it in my newsletter.
Since you mentioned it...

I write a weekly newsletter on the Psychology of Marketing on Thursdays

And if you made it this far, I think you'll really dig the content ;)

So go join 17,958 evidence-based marketers for $0 here:
psychologyofmarketing.beehiiv.com/subscribe?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mid_thr...
Now back to it 🤝

5/ Constant movement

- theatric change in prices
- throbbing graph indicators

According to Natasha, a gambling addiction and design expert, this constant movement builds a sense of urgency.

Compelling us to make quick calls!
6/ Power of personalization

Earlier this year, Robinhood launched First Trade Recommendations.

A short quiz and boom - you're ready to start investing.

Targeting new investors, this is how Robinhood eliminate all friction and got them started.
7/ Immediate execution

Put in the price.

Swipe up.

And your order is complete.

No time to think. Just invest.
With these 7 elements, Robinhood made investing money the easiest game you've ever played.

It's no wonder that the Massachusetts securities regulators did this:
But it's only wrong so long as the benefits are one-sided.

Look for those win-wins instead.

If that's your mindset, there's a lot to learn from Robinhood's gamification psychology...
In fact, I write breakdowns like this every week.

I take complex psychological principles, tear them down, and help you apply it to your business.

Want the next case study in your inbox? Sign up for $0 here:
psychologyofmarketing.beehiiv.com/subscribe?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=threads...
tl;dr

Robinhood's guide to gamification:

Eliminate the clutter
Constant movement
Immediate execution
Celebrate smaller wins
Power of personalization
Pay attention to the colors
Highlight the bigger trends
Mentions
See All