Products, ideas, and behaviors catch on because they meet a need or solve a problem for people. They may also be novel, interesting, or appealing in some way. The theory of "diffusion of innovations" explains how and why new products, ideas, and behaviors spread through a population. According to this theory, the adoption of an innovation spreads through a population in five stages: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption.

1. Awareness: The first stage in which people become aware of the existence of an innovation.

2. Interest: The stage in which people become interested in learning more about the innovation.

3. Evaluation: The stage in which people weigh the pros and cons of the innovation and decide whether or not to adopt it.

4. Trial: The stage in which people try out the innovation on a small scale.

5. Adoption: The stage in which people fully adopt the innovation and make it a part of their regular behavior or routine.

For a product or idea to catch on, it needs to be able to effectively move through these stages and reach a critical mass of adopters. The role of opinion leaders, early adopters, and marketing campaigns can also play an important role in spreading an innovation.

Additionally, the idea or product should be able to create a sense of social proof and urgency for the people. Also, it should be able to create a sense of belonging to a certain group, the idea of missing out (FOMO) and so on.

It's important to note that not all products, ideas, and behaviors catch on. Factors such as timing, competition, and the target market can all play a role in determining the success or failure of an innovation.

WHY DO PRODUCTS, IDEAS, AND BEHAVIORS CATCH ON?