Why do shopping sites keep telling you what items are most popular?

I expect they are playing to the kind of consumers who ask strangers on social media

"What colour kitchen should I get"
" Help me name my baby".

As if they have no ideas, tastes or opinions of their own.

And to those who like to always get what their friends have so they know they are buying the 'right' thing. After all, if every other lemming is buying it, it must be good.

To get you to buy it 🥰

They think people can't think for themselves- and to be fair it seems many of them can't! I think it is influencers (or influenzas I call them) who are to blame. It is a whole cultural shift taking place which says you can only buy if someone you know has the same thing. I am afraid to say this way of marketing is targeted mainly at women.

I have a friend who always talks about what's trendy and it really annoys me.
Recently I mentioned that I was looking at air-fryers. She asked me who had recommended one and finally inflenced me into having one.
I told her I don't buy things because other people are buying them, but because they may be something I need for myself.
It does seem we are not allowed to make our minds uo about anything anymore.
I find it very worrying.

Yes, but what I do not understand is having these encouragements on items where trendiness doesn't come into it - like my need for right angled white hooks of a specific size, fit for the purpose they are intended for. Will someone buy the wrong sized for the purpose they need because the wrong size is more popular

JaneJudge I find these 'most popular' tags are a disincentive to buy.

To be fair, very little of my online shopping is clothes and intems that trend, it is much more utilitarian. On my current 'awaiting delivery' list are the above mentioned white hooks, an extra long ceiling brush, some wall panels for the bathroom, and a plastic box. Not really items that attract influenzas or their followers.

I always smile at ‘the most popular’ as well. Quickly followed by the thought, if they are so popular why haven’t they sold out.

I had this yesterday on eBay. I don’t need to know that 4oz wadding is the most popular 🤷‍♀️

The most irritating is Boden when they come up with “selling like hot cakes”.

M0nica

Yes, but what I do not understand is having these encouragements on items where trendiness doesn't come into it - like my need for right angled white hooks of a specific size, fit for the purpose they are intended for. Will someone buy the wrong sized for the purpose they need because the wrong size is more popular

JaneJudge I find these 'most popular' tags are a disincentive to buy.

To be fair, very little of my online shopping is clothes and intems that trend, it is much more utilitarian. On my current 'awaiting delivery' list are the above mentioned white hooks, an extra long ceiling brush, some wall panels for the bathroom, and a plastic box. Not really items that attract influenzas or their followers.

To be honest I do very little on-line shopping for these reasons.
Even in some shops though, you get to the till and they try to sell something extra- in the end its business tactics trying to make money. You can say no and just buy what you want.

I have noticed a very useful comment on Amazon which is the opposite - 'this item is returned more often than other similar items'. Makes you look harder at the details. I am buying a cheap printer and the choice is overwhelming so this little detail dropped one off my list.

I find these 'most popular' tags are a disincentive to buy.

Me too.
But I have heard this from shop assistants too.
Marks and Spencer and Clarks both memorable occasions!

I often buy things on Amazon that are labelled, ‘most popular,’ if the price is right and it’s exactly what I’m looking for.
I don’t care if it’s a plastic hook or a fleecy jumper. It’s their job to sell stuff and if I didn’t need something I wouldn’t be on there.

Funny think to get annoyed about.

It reminds of when, as a teenager, I used to shop for clothes in London's west end. Some of the assistants used to say things like "Sandy Shaw was in here the other day and she bought that dress."

merlotgran

I often buy things on Amazon that are labelled, ‘most popular,’ if the price is right and it’s exactly what I’m looking for.
I don’t care if it’s a plastic hook or a fleecy jumper. It’s their job to sell stuff and if I didn’t need something I wouldn’t be on there.

Funny think to get annoyed about.

I am not annoyed by it. I am just puzzled. As I said I can understand these messages for consumer fashion items, but DIY goods and cleaning materials?

I am not annoyed by it. I am just puzzled. As I said I can understand these messages for consumer fashion items, but DIY goods and cleaning materials?

Thinking about it, I’m more likely to take notice of DIY recommendations than I am fashion.
If it’s an expensive item I double check by watching a YouTube demo video.

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

I wouldn't dream of buying clothing that was the most popular. I don't want to turn up somewhere wearing exactly the same as somewhere else.

I remember when we first started going on package holidays in the 60's my Mum refused to buy any type of beachwear in M&S. Their prints were very distinctive and she said she didn't want to be one of 10 people sitting by the pool in the same swimsuit. And more than once she winked at me when two or more ladies walked past us in the same get up!

I don't think we are annoyed "as such" merlotgran - just eyerolling at how ridiculous it is.

Dontcallmelove

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

Yes. This is typical - I get this a lot.

Dontcallmelove

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

Yes, the things “other people also bought…” or “you might also like…” are usually completely unrelated to the item you are purchasing, they are totally random. 😂😂

Magenta8

It reminds of when, as a teenager, I used to shop for clothes in London's west end. Some of the assistants used to say things like "Sandy Shaw was in here the other day and she bought that dress."

So if you’re six feet tall with big feet it would have suited you down to the ground😂

It’s just advertising isn’t it?

Yep and IT systems...

Just ignore salespeople puffing theur products. Make your own mind up. Can I afford it? Do I need it?