Patreon: implementing a personalized search and new creator bio cards
Patreon: implementing a personalized search and new creator bio cards
Patreon: implementing a personalized search and new creator bio cards
Summary
This Patreon update focuses on the discoverability constraints of the platform. The implementation of a random and personalized search feature aims to increase creator exposure and patronage. While an enhancement of creator bio cards aims to provide a user with more up front information, increasing the amount of meaningful clicks.
This Patreon update focuses on the discoverability constraints of the platform. The implementation of a random and personalized search feature aims to increase creator exposure and patronage. While an enhancement of creator bio cards aims to provide a user with more up front information, increasing the amount of meaningful clicks.
100% of users tested had direct or indirect success when asked to discover a new creator without a keyword search.
100% of users tested had direct or indirect success when asked to discover a new creator without a keyword search.
83% of users tested stated that the new creator bio cards were more informative when looking through search results.
83% of users tested stated that the new creator bio cards were more informative when looking through search results.
My Role
UX Design
UX Research
Methods
Qualitative Research
User Interviews
Competitor Analysis
Project Timeline
4 weeks
My Role
UX Design
UX Research
Methods
Qualitative Research
User Interviews
Competitor Analysis
Project Timeline
4 weeks
The Problem
The current discovery process on Patreon primarily relies on a basic input field and keyword search, which can be limiting in terms of exposing the diversity and variety of talent on the platform.
The current discovery process on Patreon primarily relies on a basic input field and keyword search, which can be limiting in terms of exposing the diversity and variety of talent on the platform.
The Solution
Our solution was to add a random and personalized search feature based on user preferences, along with an enhanced creator bio card prioritizing its information display.
Our solution was to add a random and personalized search feature based on user preferences, along with an enhanced creator bio card prioritizing its information display.
Summary
Patreon has established itself as a vital platform for creatives to receive support and funding directly from their fans. This update features a new way to discover creators, increase their exposure, and make the entire Patreon experience more engaging.
100% of users tested had direct or indirect success when asked to discover a new creator without a keyword search.
83% of users tested stated that the new creator bio cards were more informative when looking through search results.
My Role
UX Design
UX Research
Methods
Qualitative Research
User Interviews
Competitor Analysis
Project Timeline
4 weeks
User Interviews
The goal of these interviews was to understand a users content preferences, discoverability expectations, and perceived barriers to supporting creators.
The goal of these interviews was to understand a users content preferences, discoverability expectations, and perceived barriers to supporting creators.
Identifying Trends and Patterns
Using AI and data synthesis techniques, we transcribed, summarized, and highlighted reoccurring trends and patterns from our interviews
Using AI and data synthesis techniques, we transcribed, summarized, and highlighted reoccurring trends and patterns from our interviews
Key Takeaways
A common theme across our interviews was the unclear or uninformative search results of the current Patreon setup.
A common theme across our interviews was the unclear or uninformative search results of the current Patreon setup.
Many users find Patreon to have poor search recommendations.
Many users find Patreon to have poor search recommendations.
Creator discoverability is limited to specific keyword searches.
Creator discoverability is limited to specific keyword searches.
A common theme across our interviews was the unclear or uninformative search results of the current Patreon setup.
Many users find Patreon to have poor search recommendations.
Creator discoverability is limited to specific keyword searches.
Current Usability Audit
The goal of this usability audit was to understand the pain points of the existing experience and user flow of Patreon.
The goal of this usability audit was to understand the pain points of the existing experience and user flow of Patreon.
Usability Audit Thoughts
"This audit was highly beneficial. It allowed us to clearly visualize our users feedback and frustrations from the interviews we conducted. Needless to say that once we had this layed out, the design vision became quite clear."
"This audit was highly beneficial. It allowed us to clearly visualize our users feedback and frustrations from the interviews we conducted. Needless to say that once we had this layed out, the design vision became quite clear."
Wireframes
The wireframes below were rapidly iterated upon, focusing primarily on a new discoverability feature and bio card layout.
The wireframes below were rapidly iterated upon, focusing primarily on a new discoverability feature and bio card layout.
The Surprise Me Feature
This personalized search update, labeled the "Surprise Me" feature, utilizes user preferences and search history to quickly and randomly bring the user creators that would previously only have been found using specific keyword searches.
This personalized search update, labeled the "Surprise Me" feature, utilizes user preferences and search history to quickly and randomly bring the user creators that would previously only have been found using specific keyword searches.
The components below make up the "Surprise Me" signifiers.
1. Surprise Me CTA buttons
2. New feature banner
3. Surprise Me CTA within search bar
The components below make up the "Surprise Me" signifiers.
1. Surprise Me CTA buttons
2. New feature banner
3. Surprise Me CTA within search bar
Bio Card and Tag Display Updates
The creator bio cards were enhanced to show more relevant and clear information with the goal of increasing clicks per creator. Additionally, In an effort to reduce scrolling, the tag display was formated to fit on one page, giving visibility to all options at once.
The creator bio cards were enhanced to show more relevant and clear information with the goal of increasing clicks per creator. Additionally, In an effort to reduce scrolling, the tag display was formated to fit on one page, giving visibility to all options at once.
The ability for a creator to add a welcome message or video was also added. Allowing the user to gain more information on the creator without leaving their search results page.
The ability for a creator to add a welcome message or video was also added. Allowing the user to gain more information on the creator without leaving their search results page.
The Final UI
The final UI was one that allows for a wider array of creator discoverability while limiting user scrolling, missed clicks, and unnecessary flows.
The final UI was one that allows for a wider array of creator discoverability while limiting user scrolling, missed clicks, and unnecessary flows.
Usability Testing
During our usability testing, we placed a heavy focus on the Surprise Me feature and it's discoverability.
During our usability testing, we placed a heavy focus on the Surprise Me feature and it's discoverability.
While we had a 100% success rate, we noticed a high misclick rate and fairly long duration for completion when asked to find and use the new search feature.
While we had a 100% success rate, we noticed a high misclick rate and fairly long duration for completion when asked to find and use the new search feature.
Outcome
The overall outcome of this update was positive. We successfully enhanced the discoverability of creators and prioritized the information display of thier bio cards.
The overall outcome of this update was positive. We successfully enhanced the discoverability of creators and prioritized the information display of thier bio cards.
Given the results of the usability test, we concluded that a new feature as important as the personalized search would need to have a more obvious signifier on key pages. With the goal to increase overall creator discoverability, we do not want this component to go unnoticed.
Given the results of the usability test, we concluded that a new feature as important as the personalized search would need to have a more obvious signifier on key pages. With the goal to increase overall creator discoverability, we do not want this component to go unnoticed.
100%
100% of users tested had direct or indirect success when asked to discover a new creator without a keyword search.
100% of users tested had direct or indirect success when asked to discover a new creator without a keyword search.
27.6s
27.6 seconds was the average duration that a user spent looking for the surprise me feature. While this is not bad, we would like to lower this number.
27.6 seconds was the average duration that a user spent looking for the surprise me feature. While this is not bad, we would like to lower this number.
83% of users tested stated that the new creator bio cards were more informative when looking through search results.
83% of users tested stated that the new creator bio cards were more informative when looking through search results.
My Final Thoughts
"Working on this update for Patreon gave me incredible insight on information display and discoverability. We wanted to ensure that each click a user makes has meaning and doesn't just lead them back to the beginning."
"Working on this update for Patreon gave me incredible insight on information display and discoverability. We wanted to ensure that each click a user makes has meaning and doesn't just lead them back to the beginning."
