Fabulous App Product Critique

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Behavioral science product critique of the Fabulous habit formation app.

[Teisharocz]

The pay wall seemed really sketch so I came to youtube to see what the app is about instead of using it. Glad I found you!!! Thank you!

[罗一钧-rp]

Thank you very much. Payment permission is required before using the app, I skipped this step and found your detailed review here, thank you very much

[dameanvil]

- 00:01 📱 The video critiques the "Fabulous" app, a daily habit tracker focusing on building routines.
- 00:14 📋 The app's preview pages emphasize morning, afternoon, and evening routines.
- 00:31 🎨 The design of the app screens is considered "lame" and cheesy.
- 01:06 📚 The app claims to be built by behavior change experts, appealing to science and authority.
- 01:17 👥 The app uses social proof, stating that 30 million people use it.
- 01:30 🧠 Behavioral Science is explained as understanding and influencing human behavior.
- 01:40 📝 The onboarding experience involves a detailed questionnaire about personal habits and satisfaction.
- 02:35 ⏳ The app asks about daily free time to tailor routine suggestions.
- 02:58 💬 The reviewer finds the questionnaire invasive and unclear on how the app will help.
- 03:38 🤔 The app's user experience is criticized for asking too much without providing clear benefits.
- 04:02 🌟 Questions focus on areas like energy, productivity, mindfulness, and sleep.
- 04:22 💬 The reviewer suggests more context on why questions are asked and how data will be used.
- 05:02 🤝 Suggestions for more transparency and feedback during the onboarding process.
- 06:10 📊 The app summarizes user input into key areas for improvement.
- 08:02 🧩 Conflicting user statistics (30 million vs. 22 million) are noted, undermining trust.
- 09:01 🔢 Skepticism about the app's claimed success rate and user feedback methods.
- 09:32 📤 Prompts to share growth plans are seen as gimmicky and ineffective.
- 10:04 🤷‍♂️ Overall critique of the app's onboarding experience as poor and lacking clear guidance.
- 10:55 📧 Mandatory email signup with a subtle opt-out checkbox for motivational emails.
- 11:42 ✍️ Pre-commitment contract included, though its effectiveness is questioned.
- 12:01 🤖 Critique of using various behavioral tactics in an inelegant and possibly ineffective manner.
- 13:50 📅 Reviewer signs up for a free trial and critiques the common strategy of auto-billing users.
- 14:20 🛑 Criticism of requiring payment before allowing users to fully explore the app.
- 15:23 📊 The practice of auto-billing trials is criticized as potentially manipulative.
- 16:32 📜 Too much introductory content and text, considered overwhelming by the reviewer.
- 17:03 🚰 The app starts users with the simple habit of drinking water.
- 17:57 🤔 The narrative approach of messages from "Future You" is seen as cheesy.
- 18:04 🔄 Shift from "science" to "art" of habit building is noted as interesting.
- 19:08 🔍 Option to explore the app before continuing is seen as intriguing.
- 19:31 📉 Commentary on the reliability of behavioral science research and the importance of replication in studies.
- 20:01 🎲 Reproducibility rate in scientific studies is about 50%, suggesting a need for skepticism.
- 20:30 💼 Studies with commercial incentives, such as company-funded research, are less trustworthy.
- 20:49 📉 Skepticism advised for studies, like Duke University's, that promote their own app.
- 21:19 ❓ Lack of clarity on the effectiveness of the Fabulous app's goal achievement rates.
- 22:05 🏔️ Fabulous app introduces three 'mountains' for building habits and self-improvement.
- 22:21 🗺️ Detailed step-by-step instructions can help reduce decision paralysis.
- 22:52 🔔 Notifications claim to increase goal achievement likelihood but are seen as manipulative.
- 23:49 💧 Initial challenge: Drink water upon waking to start a habit.
- 24:02 🏅 Positive reinforcement for completing simple tasks, like drinking water.
- 25:02 🔄 Concept of friction in habit formation and Fabulous' strategy to reduce it.
- 26:25 🛠️ Small, sustainable actions are key to lasting change.
- 27:01 📄 Written form of motivational content is available for sharing.
- 28:00 🌱 Implementation intentions research helps with forming specific plans for habits.
- 30:19 🤨 Skepticism about the effectiveness of plans for simple habits like drinking water.
- 33:00 📈 Fabulous app's strategy is to chain actions together to build habits.
- 34:02 📝 Pre-filled messages for expressing gratitude seem gimmicky and poorly executed.
- 36:26 ❗ The app often uses Behavioral Science tactics in a superficial or ineffective manner.
- 39:06 🌊 Doubt about the spillover effect of small habits leading to bigger changes.
- 42:03 🧐 App may filter for highly motivated individuals, giving a false impression of effectiveness.
- 42:40 🧩 Selection effect: Highly motivated users would likely succeed regardless of the app.

[chiefolk]

Thanks for this detailed critique, helps a ton for PM's and Founders in this space like myself Thanks.

[erinbosen]

Doing something “incredibly easy” like drinking a glass of water can actually be very very difficult for someone in a hypoaroused or hyperaroused state of mind or for many neurodivergent individuals who have more difficulties to contend with when it comes to avoiding anxiety and/or depression. So maybe small is best for those who can’t afford mental health services but can affair an app. As a behavioural scientist I’m curious to learn from you whether there is any app out there that you think might be worth investing in for those desperate to make life changes in an accessible way??

[bfunirfeyh]

Thank you for this, I need to stop procrastinating. I need to know if it helps

[bermlee]

I signed up on the web, and then tried to sign in on the app on iOS. They implemented the keyboard for password entry in a strange way (the top row stays stuck on the number row, preventing me from entering the most commonly used set of symbols). I had to type the password in Notes and copy it over to get in. It's a strange rookie mistake that reflects poorly on the entire app.

[brianhonan]

I wish I could find more help with getting the double charge refunded. This company is a scam. As the video shows they put little effort into the app yet are charging people through auto pay.

[YodithGideonSupiConsultig]

I think you don't have ADHD. If you had you wouldn't wonder about the need to ask them. I agree that instead of assuming we feel comfortable upfront to answer them personal questions, they should have explain how they can help, how much it cost etc. As American product, they are impatient to get into your pocket before you willingly take out your wallet above all.

[kavitabagohil]

It looks totally different than free version of thile same app

[Ayan]

Thanks but please make your videos short.