The frequency illusion

Ever notice something constantly after learning about it? That’s frequency illusion — your brain’s way of spotlighting what feels newly important. For writers, it can skew how you view trends or originality. Recognizing it helps you stay grounded and make smarter creative decisions.

The frequency illusion (aka Baader–Meinhof phenomenon) is when you start noticing something a lot more often after you’ve just learned about it — even though it’s not actually occurring more frequently. It’s your brain focusing in because it’s now relevant to you.

TL;DR:

Frequency illusion affects your perception as a writer and your readers’ perception of your book. Understanding it helps you stay grounded in your creative process and gives you tools to market more effectively and write more nuanced characters.

Why it matters for authors and novel writing:

✅ 1. Writing & Research Awareness

Once you learn about a theme, trope, or storytelling technique, you’ll start spotting it everywhere — in books, shows, conversations. That’s the frequency illusion. It can:

Help you identify trends you may want to use or avoid.
Make you feel like “everyone is writing the same story” (even when they aren’t).
Skew your sense of originality or market saturation.

✅ 2. Marketing & Reader Perception

Marketers intentionally use frequency illusion by putting books (or products) everywhere — ads, social media, influencer promos. When readers see a book cover repeatedly, they:

Feel like everyone is reading it.
Trust it more or get curious.
Are more likely to buy it (“I keep seeing that book!”).

You can leverage this in your own book marketing strategy by creating consistent visual and thematic branding across platforms.

For indie authors (especially those running their own ads on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), understanding the frequency illusion means using consistent branding to make your book more noticeable, memorable, and seemingly ubiquitous.

Read more here about how frequency illusion applies to branding and marketing for authors.

✅ 3. Character Development & Realism

Characters can experience frequency illusion too. For example:

A character who just learned they’re pregnant might start noticing babies and strollers everywhere.
Someone who’s grieving may hear songs or see symbols connected to the person they lost.

Adding that awareness into your characters’ internal world makes them feel more real and emotionally in tune.