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Its an interesting design problem ie UX. If I force log-ins or abusive pop-ups I end up making the problem worse. What Reddit needs is a very creative UX solut

Its an interesting design problem ie UX. If I force log-ins or abusive pop-ups I end up making the problem worse. What Reddit needs is a very creative UX solution. Something of value that gets presented in the app but is not inthe mobile-web version delivered via browser. Some app interaction rather than some extra content. Something interactive that is exclusive to the mobile app. Not something big interaction wise but just enough value that people start using the mobile app over mobile web via browser. thanks for user that posted the question as I have a UX interview with a Chicago startup that is somewhat facing this problem and several other UX problems around driving their mobile app use upwards. The question help me formulate how to solve it.

TeMPOraL 7y ago
What Reddit needs is to stop treating users like cattle. Not a UX trickery lipstick on a pig.
acdha 7y ago
It’s abusive to tell people they need an app to get access to something when there’s no technical reason for the requirement. Everyone knows the real reason is better ad targeting / data resale but that’s not something a user should care about – users aren’t your shareholders and there are plenty of formerly big companies which spent too much time on things which didn’t benefit their users. If you’re thinking UX, the question should be how the user benefits. There are some potential answers like better performance, offline support, etc. which generally come back to how badly their current SPA developers failed at networking and error handling but that’s probably just restating that they should take the web UI seriously rather than ignoring it in the hopes that people will install the app.
- zepto 7y ago
  No - there is nothing inherently abusive about apps vs websites. This is just bias on your part.
  - acdha 7y ago
    This is about repeatedly ignoring clear user preferences because one of the options gives more access to the user’s data for marketing. I’d have nothing against them offering the app, doing the standard banner, etc. – what makes it abusive is pretending there’s a choice when one of the options starts a cycle of nagging and “accidentally” breaking the experience until you switch.
    - zepto 7y ago
      Do you have evidence this is about user data, or is that just confirmation bias?
- Lammy 7y ago
  Please don't devalue the term "abusive" by using it to refer to UI dark patterns.
- WWLink 7y ago
  Oh but dude! They need the analytics to tell them how you're using the app. So they can see how you're touching the screen. What things you pause on. What notifications you might be getting meanwhile. What other apps are on your phone. Ya know. To get to know ya better. ;)

TeMPOraL 7y ago

What Reddit needs is to stop treating users like cattle. Not a UX trickery lipstick on a pig.

acdha 7y ago

It’s abusive to tell people they need an app to get access to something when there’s no technical reason for the requirement. Everyone knows the real reason is better ad targeting / data resale but that’s not something a user should care about – users aren’t your shareholders and there are plenty of formerly big companies which spent too much time on things which didn’t benefit their users. If you’re thinking UX, the question should be how the user benefits. There are some potential answers like better performance, offline support, etc. which generally come back to how badly their current SPA developers failed at networking and error handling but that’s probably just restating that they should take the web UI seriously rather than ignoring it in the hopes that people will install the app.

zepto 7y ago
No - there is nothing inherently abusive about apps vs websites. This is just bias on your part.
- acdha 7y ago
  This is about repeatedly ignoring clear user preferences because one of the options gives more access to the user’s data for marketing. I’d have nothing against them offering the app, doing the standard banner, etc. – what makes it abusive is pretending there’s a choice when one of the options starts a cycle of nagging and “accidentally” breaking the experience until you switch.
  - zepto 7y ago
    Do you have evidence this is about user data, or is that just confirmation bias?
Lammy 7y ago
Please don't devalue the term "abusive" by using it to refer to UI dark patterns.
WWLink 7y ago
Oh but dude! They need the analytics to tell them how you're using the app. So they can see how you're touching the screen. What things you pause on. What notifications you might be getting meanwhile. What other apps are on your phone. Ya know. To get to know ya better. ;)