Amazon has been using email and mobile notifications for a long time to keep their customers informed about the status of their orders. They used to give you all the information you needed at first glance. However, the company has been using a clever tactic that benefits them greatly by omitting critical information from these notifications, prompting users to visit their app or website to see the full details of their order.
When a customer places an order on Amazon, they receive an email notification confirming their purchase. However, this email typically omits important information such as the name of the item and estimated delivery date. Instead, it simply states that the order has been confirmed and includes a link to the user’s account page on Amazon’s website or app, where they can view the full details of their order.
Similarly, the email notification sent when an order is shipped also omits important details such as the shipping carrier, tracking number, and the name of the item purchased. Instead, the email nudges users to seek more information by directing them to Amazon’s Alexa platform with a prompt to ask, “Alexa, where is my stuff?”
Likewise, when a user has an order in transit, they receive mobile notifications that alert them of the status of their order. However, these notifications also omit key details such as the delivery date and carrier, and simply prompt the user to open the Amazon app or website to see the full information.
So, how does Amazon benefit from this tactic of omitting critical information from their notifications? The answer lies in the user behavior it encourages. By prompting users to open their app or website to see the full details of their order, Amazon increases user engagement with their platform. This not only keeps users within the Amazon ecosystem for longer periods of time, but also increases the likelihood that they will make additional purchases.
Furthermore, by requiring users to log into their Amazon account to view the full order information, Amazon is able to gather valuable data about user behavior and preferences. This data can be used to tailor future recommendations and advertising to individual users, further increasing the chances of repeat purchases.
In conclusion, Amazon’s tactic of omitting critical information from their email and mobile notifications may seem like an inconvenience to users at first glance (hint: it is!), but it serves a strategic purpose for Amazon. By driving user engagement with their platform and gathering valuable data, Amazon is able to benefit greatly from this tactic in the long run.
