Design engagement loops: trigger -> action -> variable reward -> investment.
Use ethically.
When to use
- Engagement loop design.
- Retention improvement.
- Notification strategy.
- Habit-forming product analysis.
- Competitor engagement review.
- Ethical engagement audit.
Goal
- Map current hook.
- Find weak phase.
- Improve return behavior.
- Check for manipulation risk.
Phases
- Trigger: external or internal cue.
- Action: simplest behavior expecting reward.
- Variable reward: uncertain benefit users want.
- Investment: user effort that improves future value.
Reward types
- Tribe: social validation.
- Hunt: information, deals, resources.
- Self: progress, mastery, completion.
Rules
- Action must be easy.
- Internal trigger is long-term goal.
- Reward must connect to user need.
- Investment should improve next cycle.
- Do not use dark patterns.
- Run ethical check before recommending growth tactics.
Flow
- Define desired habit.
- Map external and internal triggers.
- Count steps to action.
- Identify reward type and variability.
- Identify user investment.
- Score each phase 1-5.
- Improve weakest phase.
- Run ethical check.
Output
## Hook Analysis
Product: [name]
Desired habit: [behavior]
## Current Hook
- Trigger: [external/internal]
- Action: [simple action and steps]
- Variable reward: [tribe/hunt/self]
- Investment: [user contribution]
## Weakest Phase
- [phase] - [why]
## Improvements
- [specific change]
- [specific change]
## Ethical Check
- Status: [pass/risk/fail]
- Risk: [concern or none]