Battling the Red Notification Badge (Chrome Extension)

Hacker News

TL;DR I made a Chrome extension that changes the color of the notification badge on popular social media websites from red to gray: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/notification-badge-desens/egihgffagcmekfdhcfckaaknpckokajp?hl=en The social media companies have a taken a page from the casino's playbooks, specifically the slot machine. The slot machine doesn't let you win every time, but it lets you win just often enough to keep you engaged, to keep you wanting more. The notification bell on pages like Facebook, Youtube, and now even Netflix has one (what could Netflix possibly need to "notify" me about?), behaves exactly like a slot machine. It offers you a list of "personalized" notifications. At first it's only relevant things, like when someone comments on your status. Just like a good slot machine will let you win a little more often at first. Then it starts getting filled with vacuous notifications while the ones you "crave" are interspersed, just like the slot machine again. All the while the little red circle on that notification bell calls your attention. It's red for a reason: we're wired to respond to red. Maybe it's because it's the color of blood, maybe it's because it's the color of berries, I don't know, but I do know that the red icon won't leave me alone! I sometimes find myself clicking on it just to make it go away, even though I know there can't possibly be any valuable notification there. It's time to fight back against the house. With the Chrome extension I linked above the color of this badge will go from red to gray on many popular social media websites. I've noticed this simple change has had a big impact. I no longer feel the need to check the bell. It's still there, I mean it's still occasionally useful, but it no longer demands my attention. The urgency is gone, and I can browse in peace. If a site you visit is not supported by the app (currently supported are LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and Netflix) please mention it in the comments below and we'll add it to our list.

Visit product View on Hacker NewsDec 18, 2021

Share card

Actual performance

3points

Did not reach leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →

Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

73%73% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: mac, google · Missing: agents, macos, agent

65%65% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Strong signals: personal, google, way · Missing: mobile apps, ios, entrepreneurs

49%49% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Strong signals: occasional, calls · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

42%42% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Hacker NewsMay not resonate with HN audience · Strong signals: lua, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

31%31% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

19%19% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Correct prediction on native model

Similar products

A Chrome extension for Delicious/Pinboard28%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A Chrome extension for Delicious/Pinboard

Hacker News7

Beautify Craigslist - Chrome Extension35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Beautify Craigslist - Chrome Extension

Hacker News2

My first Chrome Extension35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

My first Chrome Extension

Hacker News1

GCal-Everywhere, my first chrome extension47%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

GCal-Everywhere, my first chrome extension

Hacker News2

Show HN : Another chrome extension for bufferapp39%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Show HN : Another chrome extension for bufferapp

Hacker News2

Trailers for Netflix (Chrome extension)51%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Trailers for Netflix (Chrome extension)

Hacker News20

My first Chrome extension (TabZolo.co)59%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

My first Chrome extension (TabZolo.co)

Hacker News9

EasyWiki - the Chrome Extension49%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

EasyWiki - the Chrome Extension

Hacker News1

Honeybadger Chrome Extension35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Honeybadger Chrome Extension

Hacker News27

A Chrome extension to get around the WSJ paywall55%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A Chrome extension to get around the WSJ paywall

Hacker News28

Browse all products Analyze your launch