What is Leaderboard?
A ranked display of participants based on performance, used in gamification to drive competition and engagement.
A leaderboard is a ranked list showing how participants compare on key metrics. In experimentation gamification, leaderboards rank team members by their prediction accuracy or virtual coin balance.
Psychology of Leaderboards
Leaderboards tap into intrinsic motivations:
Leaderboard Design Principles
Visibility: Make leaderboards easy to find and check.
Freshness: Update rankings frequently to maintain interest.
Attainability: Show nearby competitors, not just the top 10.
Seasons: Reset periodically so newcomers have a chance.
Potential Pitfalls
Demotivation: Those far behind may disengage. Mitigate with tiers or relative rankings.
Gaming: Prevent behaviors that boost rank without genuine contribution.
Toxicity: Foster healthy competition, not cutthroat rivalry.