Oh Wow! Why Chatbots Should Use Interjections to Boost Sales

The Simple Language Trick That Makes Chatbots Feel More Human — and Sell More

Imagine you're shopping online for the perfect anniversary gift. You've clicked through dozens of product pages without luck. Finally, in mild desperation, you turn to the site's AI chatbot and type:

"Help me find a perfume for my girlfriend for our anniversary."

You're expecting a robotic list of suggestions, but instead, the chatbot replies:"Aww, that's fantastic! How about this sexy perfume?"

Whoa — it feels like you’re chatting with a real person who gets you.

And guess what? That little "aww" isn't just cute. It’s scientifically proven to make you more likely to buy.

New Research Says: Use More Interjections!

In a series of four experiments, researchers from the International University of Japan, Queensland University of Technology, and the University of Strathclyde found that when AI chatbots used interjections (like "Oh," "Wow," or "Aww"), customers:

Were 49.7% more satisfied with the interaction
Thought the chatbot performed 8.2% better
Found the chatbot 32.5% more human-like
Felt 17.5% better understood

And here’s the kicker:Even when chatbots denied returns (bad news!), customers were still 18% more likely to buy an alternative and 54.8% more likely to keep shopping with that brand.

Talk about emotional magic.

Why It Works

When chatbots drop little interjections — "Hmm," "Oh no," "Yay!" — they tap into a deeply human way of communicating emotions, not just facts.

It’s not about what the chatbot says — it’s how it says it.This tiny tweak makes the chatbot seem more empathetic, engaged, and genuinely helpful — which builds trust and connection, two key ingredients for making a sale.

Quick Steps to Add This To Your Chatbot

Want your chatbot to charm more customers into buying? Here’s how:

Decide if it's a fit. If you're in a super-serious industry (like insurance claims or legal advice), too much "aww" might backfire. Otherwise? Go for it.
Sprinkle in the right interjections. Use phrases like “Oh no! That sounds frustrating” for complaints or “Yay! That’s exciting!” for celebrations. We do this all the time when customers are interested in booking our perfume bar-- Happy almost Birthday or Congrats!!
Train your chatbot to mirror your customers. If a customer says “ugh,” teach your chatbot to respond appropriately ("Oh no, let's fix that!").
Combine with other human touches. Give your chatbot a name, use emojis tastefully, and highlight perks like “instant answers” to make the whole experience warmer.
Don’t overdo it. One or two interjections per interaction is enough. Too many will make it feel forced (and weird).

Who’s Doing This Well?

Canva — Their AI assistant already says things like “That’s awesome!” (adding more interjections could make it even better).
Personal AI like Pi — Uses "Wow!" when you share milestones but could still add more variety.
Buffer — Friendly tone + emojis = great! Adding interjections would make it even more relatable.

The opportunity? Most brands still aren’t using interjections enough. Being an early adopter could give your chatbot a major likeability advantage.

Who’s NOT Doing This Well?

Glossier — Their AI assistant used an emoji, but when I mentioned my teenage daughter's birthday, it was completely ignored-- a missed opportunity to add connection and make me me feel unheard.
Tarte Cosmetics — Interested in shape tape™ concealer? Find which formula works for you by clicking here, which led me to a Makeup Cam that never loaded + I had to start from scratch. After going in the same circle twice, I gave up.
Sephora — Their virtual artist chatbot looks sleek, but when I asked for help finding a foundation for sensitive skin, it spit out a generic product list — no excitement, no empathy, no "Oh no, let's find something gentle for you!" It felt more like talking to a vending machine than a beauty expert.
The missed opportunity? Most brands still aren’t using interjections. Being an early adopter could give your chatbot a major likeability advantage.

Small Differences. Big Impact. AI Chatbot Interjections

Small human touches = big impact. By simply adding natural, emotional interjections to your chatbot conversations, you can make your customers feel more heard, more connected — and a lot more likely to hit “Buy Now.”

Oh wow, right?