SlackEXAMPLE 01
Let a group develop its own references
Slack’s custom emoji lets teams create shared jokes and expressions. The community adds meaning that a standard feature set cannot prescribe in advance.
Tribalism
A sense of belonging can influence preference.
01 / UNDERSTAND
The idea
People may identify with groups and take cues from shared membership. Products can support genuine community through shared interests and mutual help. Identity should not become a reason to exclude or mislead.
Shared interests, references and goals can make people feel understood and connected. A product community may form around a game, profession or hobby rather than a formal group. In-jokes and shared conventions can strengthen belonging, but should not exclude newcomers or stereotype everyone in an audience.
02 / RECOGNISE
See it in real products.
Examples of how the principle can appear in an interface.
03 / CONNECT
Why it matters.
Shared references and community can support enjoyment and recommendations. Help people feel understood without assuming every member has the same interests or excluding newcomers.
Possible influences to investigate, rather than guaranteed outcomes for every product.
04 / APPLY
Put it into practice.
- 01
Build around meaningful shared goals
- 02
Make entry expectations clear
- 03
Protect respectful participation
05 / EXPLORE WITH UPSLIDE
Apply it with Upslide.
Use a practical guide, read a deeper explanation.
The B2B SaaS User Persona Framework
Use audience research to understand belonging without excluding or stereotyping other users.
UX Psychology Examples from Netflix, Spotify and Duolingo
7 mins readCompare product interactions with testable psychological interpretations and their limits.
CONNECT THE IDEAS
Related principles
Keep exploring
