First step Quote by Nir Eyal
““Remember and Share - Triggers cue the user to take action and are the first step in the Hook Model. - Triggers come in two types — external and internal. - External triggers tell the user what to do next by placing information within the user’s environment. - Internal triggers tell the user what to do next through associations stored in the user’s memory. - Negative emotions frequently serve as internal triggers. - To build a habit-forming product, makers need to understand which user emotions may be tied to internal triggers and know how to leverage external triggers to drive the user to action.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Hooked by Nir Eyal, 2014
Triggers are cues that prompt user action, either from the environment or from internal emotional states, initiating habit loops.
In simple terms: Triggers prompt actions by linking cues to habits.
Key Takeaway
Identify and design effective cues.
Themes
habit formation
user experience
psychology
Mood
insightful
strategic
Type
educational
practical
When to use this quote
- product design
- marketing campaigns
- app onboarding
- personal habit building
Key Concepts
behavioral design
cue‑response
emotional triggers
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions drive your users' internal cues?
- How can you make external cues less intrusive?
A Different Perspective
Triggers may be ignored if the user lacks motivation or context.
![“1. Trigger A trigger is the actuator of behavior — the spark plug in the engine. Triggers come in two types: external and internal.[viii] Habit-forming products start by alerting users with external triggers like an email, a website link, or the app icon on a phone.” quote by Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c6/nir-eyal-1258_habits_1-trigger-a-trigger-is-the-actuator-of-b_539667.jpg)
![“Instead of asking ‘what problem should I solve?’ ask ‘what problem do I wish someone else would solve for me?’”[cxxxi]” quote by Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/805/nir-eyal-1258_problem-solving_instead-of-asking-what-problem-should-i_78727.jpg)
