Effort: Medium
What to notice
Let users link a chosen situation with a small planned action.
Where it fits
- Fits
- Learning or work-tool users wishing to repeat a small action.
- Use it when
- When the user can specify a feasible context and action.
- Avoid it when
- When cancellation or frequency reduction is difficult.
How to build it
- Let the user choose a cue and a specific action.
- If reminders are offered, show frequency and stopping controls first.
- Allow plan revision or cancellation after use.
Measure
- Main metric
- Share of eligible users acting at their planned opportunity
- Guardrail
- Reminder opt-outs and reported planning burden
- How to measure
- Allocate comparison groups before exposure and use equal follow-up and eligibility. Track Share of eligible users acting at their planned opportunity alongside Reminder opt-outs and reported planning burden.
When it backfires
Do not use inferred routines or location as cues without user choice.
Alternatives
Theory behind it
Implementation intentions
Link an intended action to a specific situation rather than setting a goal alone.
Well supported
Habit automaticity
Distinguish repeating an action in a stable context from accumulating a streak.
Limited evidence
Evidence limits: An editorial web application; conversion effects on this interface are unmeasured. Effects depend on domain and feasibility. Do not infer private routines, send unsolicited reminders or promise health benefits.