I wasn’t aware of encountering the Zeigarnik effect in the past until I read about it last weekend.

In the e-learning platform I worked on a few years back, we struggled with user retention. I observed that the users began tasks enthusiastically but did not return to complete them.

This is the Zeigarnik Effect from Human Psychology at play.

What is the Zeigarnik Effect?
A psychological principle that states people remember uncompleted tasks more than completed ones.

Discovered by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, who observed waiters remembering unpaid orders more vividly.

Relatable Example: Duolingo
Duolingo tracks daily streaks and incomplete lessons. A slight nudge makes the users return daily to maintain their streaks or complete lessons.
This strategy improves user engagement and ensures consistent user retention.

When used thoughtfully, the Zeigarnik effect can enhance and maintain user engagement.
Ensure that this strategy is used ethically and in balance with respect to the users’ experiences.