It’s wild how your brain connects things—was not expecting to see the word “feet” in this post, but here we are lol 😂. Your writing is both compelling and actionable. I just subscribed.
One thing I keep circling back to: do we really need hyper-personalization, or do we just need better defaults and respectful user controls?
Sometimes it feels like product teams overcompensate for weak core UX by layering predictive magic on top. But hyper-personalization is only valuable if the base product already delivers consistent value. Otherwise, it risks becoming a band-aid — or worse, a black mirror.
Going back a few years, here's an example of internal access to client data that got Bloomberg into some trouble, even though the data wasn't hyper-personalised (or at least not intentionally):
"Bankers said they believed the reporters had access not only to log-in information but also to whether the users had called the help desk and what information they had wanted help with. 'I don't think anyone realised how much information the news desk had access to,' said one Wall Street executive."
So happy to see "Don't be creepy" as a requirement. I've been on my soapbox about how "personalization" on LinkedIn has become outright lying. "I've read your profile. I'm so impressed. I see that we both went to the same school. I was fascinated by your recent post. Your work is so innovative." Lies, lies, and more lies masquerading as personalization from creepy marketers.
This is so good and extremely relatable. I like that you have portrayed it as not a zero sum game.
Also “Audit for the creepy factor”. Loved this!
Thank you so much! 🤗
It’s wild how your brain connects things—was not expecting to see the word “feet” in this post, but here we are lol 😂. Your writing is both compelling and actionable. I just subscribed.
Haha, thank you. We should turn it into a Substack growth tip: ''Use ''feet'' in your posts to get new subscribers''. Thank you for subscribing!
The quality of your posts is just wild. I really enjoy them, thanks.
Just sharing my thoughts.
This was a sharp and thoughtful read, thank you.
One thing I keep circling back to: do we really need hyper-personalization, or do we just need better defaults and respectful user controls?
Sometimes it feels like product teams overcompensate for weak core UX by layering predictive magic on top. But hyper-personalization is only valuable if the base product already delivers consistent value. Otherwise, it risks becoming a band-aid — or worse, a black mirror.
Thank you! It's a very valid question, loads to unpack. Let me know if you'll write about it🤗
Going back a few years, here's an example of internal access to client data that got Bloomberg into some trouble, even though the data wasn't hyper-personalised (or at least not intentionally):
"Bankers said they believed the reporters had access not only to log-in information but also to whether the users had called the help desk and what information they had wanted help with. 'I don't think anyone realised how much information the news desk had access to,' said one Wall Street executive."
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/may/10/bloomberg-goldman-sachs-spying-terminals
Interesting, I haven't heard of that one before, thank you for sharing Nick! 🤗
HI Karo! A little gift for you and your readers:
As an ex-lawyer, I could not help myself but give a bit of free info on how to protect yourself, your publication also, while building your business here on Substack. Here is my free disclaimer guide with templates https://noemiapetri.substack.com/p/disclaimer-template-for-your-substack?utm_source=activity_item
Wow, thank you so much Noemi! Feel free to send it in the group chat too!
So happy to see "Don't be creepy" as a requirement. I've been on my soapbox about how "personalization" on LinkedIn has become outright lying. "I've read your profile. I'm so impressed. I see that we both went to the same school. I was fascinated by your recent post. Your work is so innovative." Lies, lies, and more lies masquerading as personalization from creepy marketers.
100% agree. I’m not a fan of LinkedIn either, it feels stiff and oddly impersonal for a platform built around people. Thank you for reading!
Steve, you might like this note about LinkedIn: https://substack.com/@karozieminski/note/c-99695516?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=gngtc