Eyal identifies three types of variable rewards that drive user engagement: rewards of the tribe, rewards of the hunt, and rewards of the self. Rewards of the tribe are social rewards, such as the connectedness felt when interacting with others. Rewards of the hunt involve the search for material resources or information, like the excitement of finding a rare item in a game. Rewards of the self are intrinsic rewards related to personal achievement and mastery. Email, for instance, combines all three types: social interaction (tribe), valuable information (hunt), and the satisfaction of managing one's inbox (self). 'Variable reward systems must satisfy users’ needs, while leaving them wanting to re-engage,' Eyal notes, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to reward design. | Nir Eyal | Hooked

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Types of Variable Rewards

Eyal identifies three types of variable rewards that drive user engagement: rewards of the tribe, rewards of the hunt, and rewards of the self. Rewards of the tribe are social rewards, such as the connectedness felt when interacting with others. Rewards of the hunt involve the search for material resources or information, like the excitement of finding a rare item in a game. Rewards of the self are intrinsic rewards related to personal achievement and mastery. Email, for instance, combines all three types: social interaction (tribe), valuable information (hunt), and the satisfaction of managing one's inbox (self). 'Variable reward systems must satisfy users’ needs, while leaving them wanting to re-engage,' Eyal notes, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to reward design.

-- Nir Eyal