nhouseholder/hooked-ux

Hooked UX — Retention & Engagement Audit

Maps your product against Nir Eyal's Hook Model to find where the habit loop is breaking. Use this when users sign up but don't return.

When This Fires

• "users aren't coming back"
• "improve retention"
• "habit loop"
• "engagement"
• "why do users leave"
• Any site-review or site-audit where retention is a concern

The Hook Model Audit

1. TRIGGER — What brings users back?

External triggers (you control):

• [ ] Email notifications with personalized, actionable content?
• [ ] Push/browser notifications (if applicable)?
• [ ] Social sharing that brings new/returning users?

Internal triggers (user's own motivation):

• [ ] What emotion drives usage? (boredom, curiosity, FOMO, anxiety, desire to win)
• [ ] Is the product associated with a specific routine or moment?
• [ ] Does the user think of this product when they feel [emotion]?

Diagnosis: If no internal trigger exists, the product is 100% dependent on external triggers — retention will always be fragile.

2. ACTION — Is the desired action easy enough?

Fogg Behavior Model: Behavior = Motivation × Ability × Trigger

• [ ] Can the core action be completed in <10 seconds?
• [ ] Is the number of steps minimized? (each step loses ~20% of users)
• [ ] Does it work on mobile without friction?
• [ ] Is the UI obvious enough that no instructions are needed?
• [ ] Login/auth friction is minimal? (no forced sign-up before value)

Diagnosis: If the action requires more than 3 taps/clicks, simplify. The first session should deliver value in under 30 seconds.

3. REWARD — Does the user get something variable?

Three types (at least one must be present):

Tribe (social validation):

• [ ] Does the user see what others are doing? (social proof, leaderboards)
• [ ] Is there recognition or status for engagement?

Hunt (information/resources):

• [ ] Does the product surface new, unpredictable content each visit?
• [ ] Are there personalized recommendations that change?
• [ ] Is there a "feed" or "discovery" element?

Self (mastery/completion):

• [ ] Does the user feel progress? (streaks, levels, completion %)
• [ ] Is there a sense of accomplishment?
• [ ] Can users see themselves improving?

Diagnosis: Fixed rewards (same content every visit) kill retention. At least one reward type must be variable.

4. INVESTMENT — Does the user put something in?

Investment increases switching cost and improves future experience:

• [ ] Does the user create data that makes the product better? (preferences, history, favorites)
• [ ] Does the product get smarter/more personalized with use?
• [ ] Would leaving mean losing something? (saved data, reputation, customization)
• [ ] Does investment load the next trigger? (following someone → future notification)

Diagnosis: If users can leave with zero switching cost, they will. Every session should accumulate value that makes the next session better.

Output Format

HOOK MODEL AUDIT — [Product Name]

Trigger:    STRONG / WEAK / BROKEN — [diagnosis]
Action:     STRONG / WEAK / BROKEN — [diagnosis]
Reward:     STRONG / WEAK / BROKEN — [diagnosis]
Investment: STRONG / WEAK / BROKEN — [diagnosis]

The loop breaks at: [weakest phase]

Top 3 retention fixes:
1. [specific, implementable change]
2. [specific, implementable change]
3. [specific, implementable change]

Applying to Sports Betting / Prediction Sites

For sites like MMALogic, Diamond Predictions, Courtside AI:

• Trigger: Upcoming fight/game → email/notification with preview
• Action: Check predictions in <5 seconds from homepage
• Reward (Hunt): New predictions, updated odds, fresh analysis each event
• Reward (Self): Track record, accuracy streaks, P/L history
• Investment: Favorites, custom alerts, bet tracking history