What is Artificial Social Proof?
Messages like '14 people are looking at this right now' simulate a crowd of competing buyers to pressure you toward a faster decision.
Where it comes from
E-Commerce & Travel Booking (2010s)
How it hooks you
Exploits the bandwagon effect: signs of a crowd trigger herd instinct and fear of missing out, which override careful evaluation.
How to resist it
Ignore claims about what other shoppers are doing and judge the purchase on your own needs.