Projection Bias

Overestimating future alignment with current feelings and beliefs.

What it is

Projection bias is a cognitive bias that causes people to assume that others share their values, beliefs, and attitudes, even when they do not. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications, as people may incorrectly predict others' behaviors or reactions based on their own perspectives. It can also lead to overestimation of the prevalence of one's own beliefs or behaviors in the general population.

How to use it

1. Personalizing User Experience

Projection bias can be harnessed in personalizing user experiences to increase conversions. Tech startups can use past user data to project future behaviors and preferences. For instance, if a user shows interest in a specific product category, the system can project this as the user's ongoing interest and personalize their experience accordingly. This could involve providing personalized recommendations, emails, or notifications about similar products or services. Consequently, the user feels more understood and engaged, which can lead to higher conversions.

2. Predictive Marketing

Using projection bias, tech startups can engage in predictive marketing to enhance customer retention. By analyzing past consumer behavior, startups can forecast future actions and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly. For instance, if a user tends to purchase a particular product every month, the system can predict this user's behavior and send a reminder or a discount offer just before their usual purchase time. This predictive approach can significantly increase customer retention by making users feel catered to and appreciated.

3. Personalized Onboarding Experience

Projection bias can be used to create a personalized onboarding experience for new users. By leveraging data from similar users, tech startups can project the likely preferences and behaviors of the new user. This could include tailored welcome messages, personalized product tutorials, or recommended next steps based on projected preferences. This personalized onboarding process can increase user engagement and conversions by making users feel immediately understood and valued.

4. AI Recommendations and Suggestions

Using projection bias, tech startups can use AI to offer recommendations and suggestions that increase user engagement. The AI system can project future user needs based on past behaviors and offer helpful suggestions. For example, a project management app can project that a user will need to schedule a follow-up meeting after a project kick-off based on past behavior and suggest this action proactively. These AI-driven recommendations can enhance user engagement by providing helpful and timely suggestions.

5. Retargeting Campaigns

Retargeting campaigns leverage projection bias to increase conversions. By analyzing past user actions, tech startups can project future behaviors and target ads accordingly. For example, if a user has viewed a specific product but hasn't made a purchase, the startup can retarget this user with ads for the viewed product, projecting that they might still be interested. This approach can significantly increase conversions by reminding users of their past interests.

Want to learn more?

Decoding the Why explores how high growth companies can integrate the power of behavioral science to unlock product & go-to-market strategies.

Use promo code Patent355 to receive a free eBook and Kindle copy.

get free copy
Cover of Decoding the Why book

More Behavioral Design Theories

The Illusion of Explanatory Depth

Overestimating understanding of complex concepts until asked to explain.

Affect Heuristic

Quick decision-making based on immediate emotional responses.

Survivorship Bias

Overlooking failures, focusing only on successful outcomes for analysis.

Nostalgia Effect

Emotionally-driven response boosting engagement through past positive experiences.

Spacing Effect

The strategic use of intervals to optimize learning and retention.

Attentional Bias

Focus on certain aspects while ignoring others due to personal relevance.