This episode uncovers how major tech platforms like Google, Facebook, and Twitter use persuasive design to maximize daily user engagement, often driven by advertising models. Tristan Harris advocates for ethical design and user attention, proposing an "organic food movement" for tech where users could pay for less manipulative experiences. Ecommerce operators can gain insights into ethical considerations for their own platform design and user engagement strategies.
Time Well Spent founder Tristan Harris talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about the persuasive techniques and tricks used by companies like Twitter, Google and Facebook to make people engage with them every day. Harris's movement wants tech companies to think more often about the ethics of their design decisions, and to value their users' attention. These design choices, Harris says, are often driven by the fundamental "background problem" of advertising, and he makes the case for an "organic food movement" for tech, where users could pay to be manipulated less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices