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The bandwagon effect is how people adopt a belief or behaviour faster the more others already have — popularity feeds on itself, regardless of merit. Examples:
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5 examples of the bandwagon effect
Fashion and fads Something becomes cool because it's spreading, not because it's better.
Election momentum Voters drift toward whoever looks likely to win — everyone wants to back the winner.
Best-seller lists A book sells more because it's already selling well, in a self-reinforcing loop.
Viral trends A dance or product explodes mainly because lots of people are already doing it.
Market manias Prices rise because they're rising, as crowds pile into the popular bet (see also social proof).
How to spot it in yourself
When you feel pulled to join mainly because something's surging, ask 'what would I think if this weren't popular?'
Separate 'how many believe it' from 'how strong is the evidence' — popularity is weak evidence about truth.
Treat 'everyone's piling in' as a bad timing signal: by the time the bandwagon's full, the easy gains have usually gone.
Go deeper — get the full book
Loved these examples? Listen to Irrational Exuberance by Robert Shiller free with an Audible trial — or read it in full.
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