Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> FOMO isn’t what drives McDonald’s or gasoline or breakfast cereal though.

All three of those examples use FOMO to drive more sales though. Limited time offerings like the McRib/Happy Meal toys, “last gas for 100 miles”, and even cereals being “part of a balanced breakfast” (despite all the problems with that statement) are designed to trigger FOMO.

It’s not the only strategy employed, but it is employed.




Last gas for 100 miles is a safety issue in remote areas, it doesn’t drive significant gas sales, the signs are generally put up by the state not the gas stations, so that’s not an example of FOMO advertising. Neither is “part of a balanced breakfast”. That’s advertising, absolutely, but not a FOMO strategy.

McDonald’s is using it sometimes, you’re right. I was originally thinking of basic items, burger and fries, but they do have seasonal items and limited time specials, so I’ll grant you that one and stand corrected.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: