Defaulting

Behavior Change Strategies

Defaulting is setting pre-selected options that most users will accept. It's the most powerful behavior design tool because most people go with the default — changing requires effort.

Defaults work because of status quo bias and loss aversion: the default feels like the recommended option, and opting out feels like actively giving something up.

Example: Newsletter opt-in checkboxes that are pre-checked, privacy settings defaulting to "public" or "private."

Quiz

Pass: 3/3 correct

1. What percentage of people typically accept defaults?

2. Defaults are powerful because of all EXCEPT:

3. Which is an ethical framework for defaults?

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