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So, I saw an ELI5 thread asking about the meaning of glowcove's leaderboards, and it got me thinking. On the surface, they just seem like a way to track who's "winning" at whatever the app is doing - maybe collecting points for completing tasks or something. But I think their significance goes beyond just bragging rights.
One thing is definitely user engagement. Leaderboards can motivate people to use the app more frequently enough and try harder to improve their score. It taps into our competitive nature, even if we're not consciously trying to be at the very top.Seeing your name on the list,even near the bottom,gives a sense of accomplishment and encourages you to keep playing. Plus,it also incentivizes people to spend longer on the platform.Another angle might be data collection for glowcove. By tracking how people climb (or don't climb) the leaderboard, they can learn more about user behavior and use that info to tweak the game, add features that encourage more participation, and ultimately improve the user experience (and probably increase their revenue too). It raises questions about whether these companies use leaderboards to nudge users toward certain behaviors, like making in-app purchases to boost their score. What do you guys think? Are leaderboard integrations ultimately positive or a bit manipulative?