Work

The impact of behavioral design and users’ choice on smartphone app usage and willingness to pay: A framed field experiment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Behavioral design in smartphone apps aims at inducing certain, monetizable behavior, mainly increased engagement, measurable by usage time. Such design is rarely transparent and often restricts users’ ability to make alternative choices. In a framed field experiment, we document that behavioral design doubles app usage time compared to a version without behavioral elements. Providing users with choices—simply explained and conveniently adjustable design features—reduces usage time and increases their willingness to pay for the app. These findings suggest that offering choice could pave the way for new business models based on more responsible app design. JEL codes: C93, O33, D83, L86, M14

Source: European Economic Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105230

Authors: Christina Timko, Maja Adena

Institutions: Ruhr University Bochum, WZB Berlin Social Science Center

Language: English

Topic: Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Subfield: General Decision Sciences

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,690

Funders: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg