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Wouldn't be the first time industry research results were conveniently aligned with profits, but I'm obviously not accusing anyone of anything as my evidence is

by franga2000 5y ago

Wouldn't be the first time industry research results were conveniently aligned with profits, but I'm obviously not accusing anyone of anything as my evidence is 100% anecdotal and any research is better than none. I guess it's just that users are stupid? Like, I know calling users stupid is a bad trope and all, but this is one of those cases where the behaviour just straight up wouldn't produce usable results. Like, if they're looking to buy a bike, will they just search for "bike buying apps"? I get looking for "apps to buy things with" (like amazon, wallmart, whatever) and then picking one and seeing if they offer bikes, but looking for the product directly?? This actually seems to also contradict the recent trend of people moving to big apps like DoorDash and Amazon replacing individual apps with different niches like the McDonald's app and apps from smaller retailers. If you're looking for "buying a bike" the Amazon app won't even be on the list... Again, all of this is my logic, I have no evidence. This is just one of those situations where something goes so strongly against my intuition that I can't imagine how it could possibly be correct. I'll have to look for some real research on this, if any is available...

dotancohen 5y ago
For what it's worth, I agree with you. But I don't know if that is because I was just trained to google everything.
mcny 5y ago
» This is just one of those situations where something goes so strongly against my intuition that I can't imagine how it could possibly be correct. I think there are a few things at play here 1. Principal agent problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_proble... 2. Illusory truth effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect So like you said in the beginning, it makes sense that people selling something will highlight "evidence" that it works (principal agent problem). Marketing is counterintuitive though. Please take a look at illusory truth effect and tell me what you think.

dotancohen 5y ago

For what it's worth, I agree with you. But I don't know if that is because I was just trained to google everything.

mcny 5y ago

» This is just one of those situations where something goes so strongly against my intuition that I can't imagine how it could possibly be correct. I think there are a few things at play here 1. Principal agent problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent_proble... 2. Illusory truth effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect So like you said in the beginning, it makes sense that people selling something will highlight "evidence" that it works (principal agent problem). Marketing is counterintuitive though. Please take a look at illusory truth effect and tell me what you think.