Try placing a short timer before users can access snooze options, adding intentional friction that gives them a moment to reconsider breaking their focus.

Focus Session UI shows 19:54 remaining, timeline 3:19-3:39 PM, App Group icons, difficulty Normal. Blue-green "Snooze" button, red "Leave Early" text, countdown "Snooze available in 4".

Example from

Opal

You could limit new users to one habit at a time, using intentional friction to stop them overcommitting early on and then failing.

White modal card with padlock icon, "Stay focused on your current habit" header, explanatory text, blue-link "Tell me more," progress circle 0/1 reps, and "Close" button top right.

Example from

Atoms

Try an artificial pause while a personalised plan 'builds', using that intentional friction to surface testimonials users might otherwise skip.

Two progress cards show "We're preparing your custom practice plan" with a blue monkey mascot. Profiles Carol Lapport and Juracy Silva are verified, 5-star rated, at 33% and 59% progress.

Example from

Falou

You could force a pause halfway through a lesson, using intentional friction to prompt users to reflect on why they're bothering to continue.

Mobile UI with purple progress bar, back arrow, and a purple character saying "Halfway to your results!" Below, "Did you know?" with a white box, blue magnifying glass icon, and calming mindset tips.

Example from

Ahead

Possible impacts

Intentional friction, like forced breaks or one-at-a-time limits, could help reduce churn by stopping users from burning out or overcommitting early on.

As seen in:

Atoms Atom's forced friction

Ahead You're halfway through, take a pause

Slowing users down with a deliberate pause might hold their attention on content they'd normally skip, e.g., testimonials or reflection prompts.

As seen in:

Gojek How much luggage can you bring?

Pinterest Pinterest's drag and hold menu

Adding intentional friction may give users the time and capacity to properly understand complicated or risky actions, e.g., spotting potential fraud.

As seen in:

Coinbase Intentional friction

Using intentional friction to slow users down could reduce abandoned purchases, giving hesitant users time to think rather than dropping a decision entirely.

As seen in:

12Go Seating previews

Airbnb Why not extend your trip?

Written by Peter Ramsey

Consultant to 100+ companies

Published: 11/08/2023

How to utilise this in your designs

You could add a cooldown timer before restoring a wallet, using intentional friction to give users time to recognise signs of potential fraud.

Example from

Coinbase

Try placing a short timer before users can access snooze options, adding intentional friction that gives them a moment to reconsider breaking their focus.

Example from

Opal

You could limit new users to one habit at a time, using intentional friction to stop them overcommitting early on and then failing.

Example from

Atoms

Try an artificial pause while a personalised plan 'builds', using that intentional friction to surface testimonials users might otherwise skip.

Example from

Falou

You could force a pause halfway through a lesson, using intentional friction to prompt users to reflect on why they're bothering to continue.

Example from

Ahead

Possible impacts

Intentional friction, like forced breaks or one-at-a-time limits, could help reduce churn by stopping users from burning out or overcommitting early on.

As seen in:

Atoms Atom's forced friction

Ahead You're halfway through, take a pause

Slowing users down with a deliberate pause might hold their attention on content they'd normally skip, e.g., testimonials or reflection prompts.

As seen in:

Gojek How much luggage can you bring?

Pinterest Pinterest's drag and hold menu

Adding intentional friction may give users the time and capacity to properly understand complicated or risky actions, e.g., spotting potential fraud.

As seen in:

Coinbase Intentional friction

Using intentional friction to slow users down could reduce abandoned purchases, giving hesitant users time to think rather than dropping a decision entirely.

As seen in:

12Go Seating previews

Airbnb Why not extend your trip?