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Design That Sparks Connection

Design That Sparks Connection

Trust breaks when users become visible before verification

Social Networking

Social Networking

Building Trust in the First Hour

Project Overview

Project Overview

I ran moderated think-aloud usability sessions with new users to evaluate onboarding and early interactions in a dating app, identifying trust gaps and usability issues that informed redesign opportunities.

Problem Statement

Problem Statement

Early onboarding experiences shape whether users trust and continue using a platform. In this study, unclear verification timing, navigation issues, and ambiguous interactions created confusion and reduced user confidence during initial use.

Early onboarding experiences shape whether users trust and continue using a platform. In this study, unclear verification timing, navigation issues, and ambiguous interactions created confusion and reduced user confidence during initial use.

Industry

Social Networking

Social Networking

My Role

End-to-end UX Research

End-to-end UX Research

UX Research & Redesign

Research, Insights & Redesign

Timeline

August 2025 - December 2025

August 2025 - December 2025

Goal

Goal

Identify where clarity, trust, or ease of use breaks down across onboarding, profile setup, discovery, liking, and account controls.

Identify where clarity, trust, or ease of use breaks down across onboarding, profile setup, discovery, liking, and account controls.

Study Details

Study Details

  • Participants: 3 new users

  • Method: moderated think aloud sessions, task based

  • Format: remote sessions, one hour each

Outcome

Outcome

Users completed core tasks, but confusion and trust gaps emerged around verification timing, navigation, and unclear interaction terminology.

Users completed core tasks, but confusion and trust gaps emerged around verification timing, navigation, and unclear interaction terminology.

Key Findings

Key Findings

[01] Verification and privacy undermines trust

Verification comes too late, and users can become visible before verification, reducing perceived safety and trust.

[02] Profile edit is hard to find

Users could not locate their profile or understand progress, leading to navigation uncertainty and frustration.

[03] Liking is unclear

Heart, Rose, and photo level likes are not explained, causing confusion and accidental actions.

[04] Onboarding is too long

The app asks for too much too soon, and does not clearly support skipping, going back, or completing later.

[05] Terminology create confusions

Education, ethnicity, sexuality, and political labels need clearer definitions and more flexible selections.

[06] AI and photo tools are a strength

These features reduce cognitive load and should be surfaced better, with clearer guidance.

[01] Verification and privacy undermines trust

Verification comes too late, and users can become visible before verification, reducing perceived safety and trust.

[02] Profile edit is hard to find

Users could not locate their profile or understand progress, leading to navigation uncertainty and frustration.

[03] Liking is unclear

Heart, Rose, and photo level likes are not explained, causing confusion and accidental actions.

[04] Onboarding is too long

The app asks for too much too soon, and does not clearly support skipping, going back, or completing later.

[05] Terminology create confusions

Education, ethnicity, sexuality, and political labels need clearer definitions and more flexible selections.

[06] AI and photo tools are a strength

These features reduce cognitive load and should be surfaced better, with clearer guidance.

Redesign concept

Redesign concept

I created a redesign proposal to address the highest impact issues by restructuring verification timing, improving profile edit discoverability, clarifying liking actions, and offering a quick start path.

Prioritized Action Items

Prioritized Action Items

High

High

  • Require verification before photos are visible, or block likes and clearly label unverified profiles. Add clear messaging about visibility.

  • Improve navigation and profile edit discoverability with a persistent Edit Profile entry point and a clear completeness indicator.

  • Clarify liking actions with distinct labels and an interactive tutorial so users can practice without real consequences.

Medium

Medium

  • Offer a Quick Start onboarding path (photos + prompts then browse) and a Full Setup path, with clear skip and benefits messaging.

  • Add brief definitions and better taxonomy for ambiguous terms, especially for international users.

Low

Low

  • Refine AI prompt guidance to be specific and helpful, not vague.

Reflection

Reflection

This project reinforced the value of end-to-end UX research, from planning and moderation to insight synthesis and redesign. It highlighted how early trust, clear navigation, and interaction clarity are critical in shaping user confidence and engagement in social apps.

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