Here’s How to Ethically Manipulate Other People

Are we using behavioral design (and ethical manipulation) for good? How do we know? Now that we have the power to profoundly change peoples’ habits through technology, how do change behavior ethically?

Manipulation Matrix

In this short video, I talk to Amir Shevat, formerly at Google and now at Slack, about a simple test for moral persuasion and ethical manipulation.

Here's How to Ethically Manipulate Other People Share on X

For more, please see this essay: “The Morality of Manipulation“.

Schedule Maker: a Google Sheet to Plan Your Week
Cancel the New York Times? Good Luck Battling “Dark Patterns”
How to Start a Career in Behavioral Design
A Free Course on User Behavior
User Investment: Make Your Users Do the Work
Variable Rewards: Want To Hook Users? Drive Them Crazy
The Hooked Model: How to Manufacture Desire in 4 Steps

Nir Eyal

Hi, I'm Nir. For most of my career I've worked in the video gaming and advertising industries where I learned, applied, and at times rejected, the techniques used to motivate and manipulate users. I write to help companies create behaviors that benefit their users, while educating people on how to build healthful habits in their own lives. Read more about me

Here’s How to Ethically Manipulate Other People

Manipulation Matrix

Related Articles

Nir Eyal

Work with Nir Eyal

Contact