One of the most fascinating “growth hacks” finds its inspiration in the psychology of human interaction—a principle that taps into our competitive instincts and desire for exclusivity. This strategy, known as “queue jumpers,” plays on the mixed emotions we experience around waiting in line. While we may dislike those who cut ahead, we love the sense of victory when we’re able to bypass a line ourselves.
Several companies have harnessed this psychological insight to fuel rapid growth. Take Monzo, the mobile-only banking app, for example. Monzo used this technique to grow its user base from zero to over 250,000 users in just over two years. The system was ingeniously simple yet highly effective: users who signed up were placed on a waiting list and shown their position in the queue, both the number of people ahead of them and the number of people behind them. This visual representation created a sense of urgency and anticipation, as users could see the progress they were making toward gaining access.
But the real growth hack came from the referral option. Monzo gave users the ability to skip the queue entirely by inviting their friends to sign up. This created a viral loop—each new user not only joined the app but also became an active recruiter, further accelerating the app’s growth.
A similar strategy was employed by Robinhood, a mobile app for stock trading. Robinhood implemented its own version of the queue system to great success, amassing 1 million users within its first year. The appeal of jumping the line—and the exclusivity of being an early adopter—helped the app generate buzz and sustain rapid user acquisition.
These examples highlight how understanding and leveraging human psychology can drive impressive results. By turning a simple waiting list into a competitive game with tangible rewards, companies like Monzo and Robinhood not only built excitement but also created a self-sustaining growth engine powered by their own users.
It’s a brilliant reminder that growth doesn’t always require expensive campaigns—sometimes, the key lies in creating a system that motivates people to share and engage.
(Source: optinmonster.com)