FOLLOW THE CROWD! Or how advertisers manipulate our instincts

Do you know what Bandwagon Effect is?

Imagine, there are two coffee stalls: there is a long line in front of one and absolutely no one in front of the other. If you are not in a hurry, chances are that you will join the majority. Because the majority knows! Nobody cares that barista from the second coffee shop just came back from the break, and the stall was merely closed. Intuitively - and sometimes quite consciously – we will follow the crowd.

And that’s exactly what Bandwagon Effect is: people often do things just because others do them.

Herd instinct is an important part of evolution, because back then loners didn’t live long. Luckily, we don’t need to confront enemy tribes or fight sabre-toothed tigers nowadays; but we still want to belong.

And that’s exactly what makes us an easy target for all sort of marketing tricks.

Don’t know how to sell a useless item? Call it a bestseller and everyone will immediately want it.

Struggle getting more customers? Add positive reviews from the existing ones and others will follow.

We are not unique, even though we’d love to believe that. Alack and Alas!