Skip to main content
UX Content
  • Case Studies
  • UX Bites
  • Cheatsheets
  • Psychology
BFM+
  • Instant Feedback
  • MCP
  • Figma Plugin
  • Tiers & pricing
  • Free newsletter
  • Log in
Other
  • Archive
  • About
  • Help
  • Changelog
Services
UX audits

A complete audit of your user experience, delivered in a format that you can't ignore.

Book an audit

Built for Mars Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 12731987).

Account
  • Log inAccess your library and activities
  • SubscribeUnlock all features and access to the library
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Structured learning
  • UX BootcampEnroll in a 5-week bootcamp
  • PathwaysCreate custom learning Pathways to work towards any goal, industry or topic
  • CollectionsBrowse Case Studies by key topics
  • QuizzesTest your knowledge
Explore the library
  • Case StudiesSlideshows that are packed with research
  • UX BitesReal examples of design magic
  • CheatsheetsQuickly level up in a particular area
  • Product PsychologyLearn the essentials
  • NewsletterGet research straight to your inbox
  • CompaniesBrowse by company
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Tools to help you
  • AI InsightsUpload screenshots of your design, and get instant feedback from our AI
  • MCPAccess the entire library from your favourite agent
  • Figma pluginAccess our AI tools, and our entire library, directly from Figma
One-to-one help
  • UX AuditsThe fast-track for growth
Includes tools that help you ship better products

Learning never stops, but sometimes you need a little more.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Log inSubscribe today
Home
Case Studies
The Psychological Reason You Hate Chatbots

How to get the most from Case Studies

BFM+Exclusive

The Psychological Reason You Hate Chatbots

10 mins
about
IntercomMonzo
Intercom white
  • Case study
Skills you'll build
  • Reducing friction by setting clearer expectations

  • Avoiding ambiguity the that hurts conversions

  • Designing handoffs that feel comfortable

"Peter, we're thinking about adding a chatbot into our customer support stack, what'd you think from a UX perspective?".

"Well, do you enjoy using chatbots?, I replied.

They laughed, and with that, my client dismissed the idea.

There's a strong argument that chatbots are mostly a one-sided revolution; increasing efficiency for businesses, whilst generally irritating consumers.

To be clear, they can be fantastic—Amazon's is exceptional.

But broadly, virtual agents, decision trees and ChatGPT-powered conversations aren't exactly the future of customer service that we were promised.

So this month I've been putting a selection of chatbots through their paces; here are some of the subtle reasons you find them annoying.

And ultimately, some tips for how to choose and implement chatbots (think; AI) into your customer experience journey.

Case study

Peter Ramsey, Built for Mars Founder

Written by Peter Ramsey

Consultant to 100+ companies

Part of:
Product Psychology · Teardowns
Published: 26/03/2024
Last edited: 01/04/2025

Other popular case studies

Case Study:
Twitch logoTwitch

8 mins

Twitch Celebrates the Wrong Thing (and Misses the Aha Moment)

Twitch logo
Start study
Case Study:
Built for Mars logoBuilt for Mars

8 mins

Why Adding Friction Improved Built for Mars' Conversion Rate by 25%

Bfmyellow
Start study
Case Study:
Hinge logoHinge

6 mins

How Hinge Keeps You Engaged (Not Romantically)

Hinge logo
Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Case Study:
Waze logoGoogle Maps logoApple Maps logo

6 mins

Google is Hollowing out Waze, and that's a Problem for Apple

Wazelogo
Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Case Study:
Costa logoCosta

8 mins

How To Design A Loyalty Scheme That Actually Motivates People

Costa Coffee Logo 1
Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Case Study:
Waitrose logoSainsbury's logoAsda logo

7 mins

If a Supermarket Scanner Needs Explaining, Something’s Broken

Waitrose logo
Subscribe to unlock
Preview