Glossary/Measurement & Attribution/Novelty Effect
Measurement & Attribution
Novelty Effect
A temporary performance change in a test caused by users reacting to something new rather than its lasting value.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
The novelty effect is a temporary change in test performance caused by users reacting to something new rather than to its lasting value. A redesigned button may attract extra clicks simply because it looks different, then fade. Running tests long enough and analyzing results over time helps separate novelty from genuine, durable improvement.