The Twisted Life of Clippy: 6 Ways to Make Your Product into a Habit

The Twisted Life of Clippy: 6 Ways to Make Your Product into a Habit

In the world of technology, there are some products that become iconic, for better or for worse. One such product is Clippy, the infamous Microsoft Office assistant that was introduced in the late 90s. Many users found Clippy's suggestions invasive, obnoxious, and creepy. However, the story of Clippy's rise and fall can teach us valuable lessons about making a product into a habit.

1. Frequency Is Key

According to Nir Eyal, an expert in consumer psychology, habits are most likely to take hold when a behavior occurs frequently. This means that in order for users to form a habit around your product, they need to engage with it on a regular basis. Clippy's downfall may have been its constant interruptions, but the concept of frequent interaction is still important when designing a habit-forming product.

2. Form Associations

Habit-forming products attach themselves to what Eyal calls "internal triggers." These triggers are the emotions, situations, or existing routines that prompt users to take action. Clippy was designed to be a helpful assistant, guiding users through their tasks. However, the negative associations that users formed with Clippy's interruptions ultimately led to its demise. When creating a habit-forming product, it's important to consider the emotions and situations that will prompt users to engage with your product in a positive way.

3. Use Good Triggers

In addition to internal triggers, products also need to utilize "external triggers" to create automatic behaviors. These triggers can be anything from push notifications to social media posts. Clippy's constant interruptions may have been annoying, but it did serve as an external trigger that reminded users to engage with the product. When designing your own habit-forming product, consider using external triggers that are subtle and non-intrusive.

4. Make the Habit Simple

According to Stanford researcher BJ Fogg, there are six key factors that make a behavior more or less likely to occur. These factors include time, money, physical effort, brain cycles, social deviance, and non-routine. Clippy's interruptions made the behavior of using Microsoft Office more difficult for users, decreasing the likelihood of forming a habit. When designing your product, make sure to eliminate any barriers or complexities that may prevent users from adopting it as a habit.

5. Use Variable Rewards

One of the key elements of habit formation is the use of variable rewards. These rewards give users what they came for, yet leave them wanting more. Clippy may not have provided users with variable rewards, but the concept is still relevant. By incorporating elements of surprise and anticipation into your product, you can keep users engaged and coming back for more.

6. Get Users to Invest

According to Eyal, asking users to invest in a product increases the likelihood of them returning to it in the future. This can be done by allowing users to accrue data, content, followers, reputation, or skill through the use of the product. Clippy may not have had this feature, but it's something to consider when designing a habit-forming product. By giving users a sense of ownership and value, they are more likely to continue using your product.

In conclusion, the story of Clippy teaches us valuable lessons about making a product into a habit. By focusing on frequency, forming associations, using good triggers, making the habit simple, incorporating variable rewards, and getting users to invest, you can increase the likelihood of your product becoming a habit for users. So go ahead and apply these actionable tips to your own product to create a habit-forming experience that users will love.