Tactic 37 of 99
The Packed Room
Nobody wants the empty restaurant.
What it is
You show that many others have already chosen you. Cialdini calls it Social Proof: when we’re uncertain, we copy what other people do. A crowd is a shortcut for “this must be good.”
Spot it
Big numbers with no way to check them. “14 people are viewing this right now” counters that never seem to drop.
Counter it
Ask: “Are these people actually like me?” A crowd of strangers with different needs proves nothing about yours.