A Peek at A/B Testing in the Wild

freedom-to-tinker.com

27 points·pixelcort··6 comments

If the concern is over the general public being manipulated by corporate or political messages then A/B testing is the least of our problems. Practically every TV, print or digital ad has not only been concept-tested but is actually designed to take advantage of peoples' innate biases and cognitive blind spots.

The solution isn't to bury a "We a/b test." disclaimer in a privacy policy that no one will read but rather to educate people on their blind spots. We do this already - in the U.S. at least - where high schoolers get a schooling in advertising techniques. E.g. the difference between $9.99 and $10.00 and the manufacturing of a "problem" so that the company can sell you their "solution".

Scott Adams was talking about this exactly on Bill Maher yesterday, that people can be educated about persuasion techniques and they still fall victim to them.

I'm not cynical enough to think it applies everywhere, mass education about persuasion techniques is the only real hope for defending against them.

What resources are there for one to get educated about this?

What in particular are you looking to learn?

> the manufacturing of a "problem" so that the company can sell you their "solution".

Any examples of such problems?

Off the top of my head...

Problem: Your clothes don't smell 'fresh' when coming out of the dryer.

Solution: Dryer sheets (Bounce, detergents with perfume)

Problem: Your teeth aren't white enough.

Solution: Whiteners, toothpaste, mouthwash

Problem: You're not thin/good-looking enough.

Solution: Diet supplements, make-up, shampoo w/ conditioner, etc

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