The "Decoy Effect" in marketing

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Dec 25, 2023
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Okay, so here is a very interesting topic I recently read about and I thought it would be nice to share. It's called the decoy effect, and it's like a hidden trick in decision-making we encounter every day.

lets get into it:

The decoy effect is a fancy way of saying that adding a less appealing option can make another choice seem way better. It's like when you're picking between two things, and then a third option shows up that isn't so great. Suddenly, one of the original choices looks super attractive compared to the not-so-cool newcomer. It's kind of like having a favorite ice cream flavor and then trying a weird one – your favorite suddenly seems even better.

So, in simple terms, the decoy effect is a sneaky trick that companies might use to make you like what they want you to pick. They throw in a less appealing option to make their preferred choice stand out. It happens more than you might notice, like in menus, pricing, or even product comparisons. It's a sly way to guide your decisions without you even realizing it!

Here are a few examples to get a better understanding of it:

Popcorn Example:

Imagine you're at a movie theater, deciding on a popcorn size. The small popcorn is $4, and the large is $8. Now, here comes the decoy – a jumbo-sized popcorn for $10. Most people might not go for the jumbo one because it's pricier and might seem too much. But, here's the trick: the large popcorn for $8 suddenly looks like a way better deal compared to the jumbo. It's like the jumbo is there just to make the large popcorn a steal!

Another one:

Imagine Apple is launching new iPhones, and you're picking between two options: iPhone A for $700 and iPhone B for $900. Now, Apple knows most people might hesitate at the $900 iPhone. That's where the decoy comes in – they introduce a super deluxe edition, the iPhone C, for $1,200. Suddenly, iPhone B at $900 seems like a more reasonable choice, and people might lean towards it, thinking they're getting a great deal compared to the ultra-expensive iPhone C. It's a clever way to guide your choice towards what they want you to pick!
 
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