To argue against extractive patterns credibly, we prototype them. Not to ship — to measure. This experiment compared standard growth mechanics against alternatives aligned with voluntary engagement.
We built functional prototypes of streak mechanics with loss framing, notification cascades on inactivity, and social comparison feeds — then ran moderated sessions and seven-day diaries.
Findings
Short-term return behaviour increased in variants A and B. Stated trust and willingness to recommend dropped. Participants described feeling managed, not supported — even when they complied with the behaviour we measured.
Variant C — clear goals, completion celebration without loss framing, opt-in social sharing — showed lower spike metrics and higher seven-day voluntary return without prompts.
Metrics that rise while trust falls are borrowing from tomorrow’s retention to pay for today’s dashboard.
Why we publish failures-to-ship
We will not optimize for engagement at the expense of wellbeing. Publishing what we refuse to build is as important as publishing what we ship — it sets expectations for clients and practitioners who follow our work.
Experiments like this are how research becomes practice: evidence teams can cite when pressure arrives to add just one more nudge.