Episode Summary In this episode of The Business Book Club, we dive into Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal—a game-changing guide to designing products that don’t just get used but become part of users’ daily routines. We pull apart the Hook Model, a deceptively simple four-step loop that powers the world’s most addictive apps and tools—from Instagram to Evernote. This episode isn’t just about grabbing attention—it’s about engineering behavior ethically, and using habit design as a force for good. If you're building a product and want it to become indispensable, this episode is your blueprint. Key Concepts Covered 🔄 The Hook Model: 4 Steps to Habit Formation Trigger – Starts the behavior. External (e.g. notifications) or internal (e.g. boredom, loneliness). Action – The simplest behavior in anticipation of a reward. Think: tapping an app icon. Variable Reward – The dopamine-driving uncertainty that keeps users coming back (likes, news feeds, achievements). Investment – The user puts something in (time, data, effort), which increases value and sets up the next trigger. 📱 Internal vs External Triggers External: Notifications, emails, app icons. Internal: Emotional itches like boredom, anxiety, or curiosity that subconsciously drive engagement. “When the product becomes the solution to an internal pain point, the habit is born.” 🎰 The Power of Variable Rewards Tribe: Social rewards (likes, comments, followers) Hunt: Information, deals, content (scrolling news feeds, shopping) Self: Mastery and completion (gamification, inbox zero, progress bars) 💾 The Genius of Investment Investments increase switching costs (e.g. your follower list, playlists, saved content) They also load the next trigger, creating a self-reinforcing loop “What tiny investment can your user make today that makes your product harder to leave tomorrow?” Actionable Takeaways ✅ Design for SimplicityRemove friction. Make the first action as easy and intuitive as possible. ✅ Scratch a Real ItchThe best products solve emotional problems. Identify the internal trigger you're addressing. ✅ Use Variability WiselySurprise and delight—don't just inform. Build reward systems that keep users curious. ✅ Ask for Investment EarlyEven a small commitment (like a saved search or profile setup) boosts retention and sets the next trigger. ✅ Be a Facilitator, Not a ManipulatorDesign ethically. Only build habits you’d want in your own life—and that genuinely help your users. Top Quotes 📌 “Users form habits when products become the go-to solution for their internal triggers.”📌 “You don’t win by being better. You win by becoming a habit.”📌 “A user invested in your product today is more likely to return tomorrow.”📌 “A habit-forming product isn’t used—it’s lived.”📌 “The most ethical companies use habit design to materially improve people’s lives.” Resources Mentioned 📘 Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal – Get the book here Final Thought If you're building something and hoping users stick, habit is your moat. The Hook Model gives you a practical, repeatable framework to turn occasional users into loyal, long-term fans. But with that power comes responsibility. So ask yourself:What habit are you helping form? And is it worth forming?   #HookedBook #HabitFormingProducts #NirEyal #ProductDesign #BehaviorDesign #UserEngagement #BusinessBookClub #StartupTools #Retention