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Do brands understand why people choose one piece of content over another? What drives them to like a piece of content, or love it? Could the psychology behind these decisions give brands the edge in a data-saturated market? AOL has found some answers.

AOL set out its core vision to a packed room at their 2016 IAB digital upfronts session: build brands people love.

Stuart Flint, managing director of AOL UK, explained the importance of brand love: "Airbnb is a business worth $30 billion, yet all they own is trust and connections. When I think about the brands I love, that resonates because I trust and connect with those brands. That’s the role of love in a modern business."

AOL’s revealed its ambition is to reach two billion global users by 2020. So how do they plan to tackle the challenge? By getting to grips with consumer psychology. Advertisers are inundated with data about their target audiences, but rarely think about the reasons consumers actually interact with content in the first place.

The session explained that if brands can understand the ‘why’, they can align it more to individual consumer needs.

Eight moments to help you understand your audience

AOL’s head of international research, Anita Caras, revealed AOL Advertising’s latest insights: eight moments to help brands understand why consumers engage with online content. ‘Content moments’  help brands optimise according to in-the-moment consumer behaviour; by getting the right type of content to people in the right way, brands can create branded experiences that people genuinely love.

Using an algorithm to explore the motivations, emotions and goals of 32,000 people spanning four continents, the results revealed eight universal moments, regardless of country or culture:

1. Inspire Looking for fresh ideas or to try something new
2. Be in the Know Staying updated or finding relevant ideas
3. Find Seeking answers or advice
4. Comfort Seeking support or insight
5. Connect Learning something new or being part of a community
6. Feel Good Improving your mood or feeling relaxed
7. Entertain Looking for an escape or mental break
8. Update Socially Staying updated or taking a mental break

What did they discover?
The stand-out findings reveal stark differences in the way we behave throughout the day: men and women seek out different types of moments at different times; younger consumers seek out content in different ways to older ones. For example:

• The UK stands out from the other countries with more ‘Social’, ‘Be in the Know’ and ‘Comfort’ moments, compared to global averages.

• UK consumers are spending longer in moments such as ‘Entertain’ (16 mins on average) and ‘Connect’ (13 minutes on average), looking for relaxation and escapism.

• Women enjoy more "lean-back" moments such as ‘Inspire’ and ‘Social’, while men tend to ‘Connect’, gravitating towards content they can share.

• Driven by distraction, a wish to try something new, or to be shocked and amazed, UK millennials are much more likely to have ‘Inspire’ and ‘Connect’ moments.

• Moment types vary according to the time of day and day of the week. UK consumers spend nearly twice as long in a moment later in the evening (14 minutes on average between 8-11pm) than they do in the morning (9 minutes on average between 9am-12pm).

• During the week, consumers want to stay updated on current affairs, researching something specific or seeking moments to take a mental break. So, they are more likely to be in intent-based moments such as ‘Update Socially’, ‘Be in the Know’ and ‘Find’. At the weekend, consumers are more attracted to emotional and entertaining moments such as ‘Comfort’, ‘Connect’ and ‘Feel Good’.

Three tips to inspire better creative

• Select moments that best fit your brand, understand the motivations behind the moments and create customised content based on those motivations

• Understand consumer’s mindsets in each moment, anticipate the outcome (for example, making a purchase) and make it easy for them to take action

• Produce different content formats to reach more people across moments

Why 'What's Working' works

Mark Melling, director of video at AOL Europe, demonstrated how brands can influence consumer psychology from the start. He explained how one of AOL’s leading brands, The Huffington Post, connects with readers (and builds brand love) through it’s ‘What’s Working’ initiative.

‘What’s Working’ is their commitment to solutions-based journalism. HuffPost shines a light on real stories of creativity and compassion, and the good people finding solutions to the world’s problems.

Consumers crave this simplicity and positivity in a complex environment. ‘What’s Working’ articles receive over 70% more visits than the average article and 86% more visits from social media, showing that this philosophy resonates with readers.

Melling also showcased some of AOL’s original content for 2017, which embodies their 'What’s Working’ philosophy. They include 'Fearne on Fashion’, 'Tech Hunters’, 'The Chefs’ Chef', 'The New Activists’ and 'Antarctica: The Last Wilderness'.

• 'Fearne on Fashion’ – broadcaster Fearne Cotton looks at fashion trends and trailblazers

• 'Tech Hunters’ – created by the first production team from AOL UK Studios, this show is about finding and fixing up retro gadgets from the 80s and 90s

• 'The Chefs’ Chefs’ – top chefs take viewers on a pilgrimage to their favourite restaurant

• 'The New Activists’ – created by the producers of Made In Chelsea, this show explores how inspirational young activists are fighting to make the world better

• 'Antarctica: The Last Wilderness' – British explorer Robert Swan, the first person to walk unaided to the North and South Pole, goes on location in Antarctica to demonstrate the importance of renewable energy.

The video series enforce what Melling called AOL’s "commitment to inspiring, entertaining narratives that tell positive stories".