What design teams can learn from Headspace | Cal Thompson (VP of Product Design & Research, Headspace)
Dec 8, 2024
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Cal Thompson, VP of Product Design & Research at Headspace, leads a team creating user-centered designs for meditation. He discusses key performance metrics for the app, revealing what drives user engagement and re-engagement. A small feature change boosted engagement significantly. Cal also shares insights on how pricing models impact user behavior and the importance of simplifying meditation practices. His expertise provides valuable strategies for anyone interested in habit formation and mindfulness.
Headspace enhances user engagement by implementing personalized features and tracking individual progress to foster a deeper connection with the app.
The app simplifies meditation through manageable practices like the 'Take 10' challenge, encouraging consistent use and addressing psychological barriers to habit formation.
Deep dives
Tracking Engagement Metrics
Engagement metrics like content starts, content completes, and daily active use are critical for measuring the effectiveness of meditation programs as offered by Headspace. The rollout of the managing stress program led to notable increases in these engagement metrics, particularly highlighting that a frequency of three to four active days per week is optimal for member retention. Research suggests that users who meditate for at least 10 minutes a day, three times a week, can expect measurable reductions in stress levels. These metrics not only indicate product engagement but are also closely tied to health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of consistent usage for achieving intended benefits.
Making Meditation Accessible
Headspace aims to demystify meditation by breaking it down into manageable and achievable components. The practice is simplified by offering shorter sessions, such as the 'Take 10' challenge, which encourages users to meditate for just 10 minutes over ten days. This bite-sized approach helps to lower barriers to entry, making it easier for users to start meditating and build a habit. By gradually increasing session lengths once users gain comfort, the app supports individuals in developing their practice progressively.
Tailoring User Experience
Understanding user needs is essential for retaining members, leading Headspace to implement features such as a breathing exercise as an easy entry point for new users. The app also collects feedback and adapts to user preferences by allowing members to customize their experience, such as showing or hiding gamification elements like run streaks. These personalized approaches foster a sense of achievement and motivate users to engage consistently with the app. By addressing psychological barriers and promoting accessibility, Headspace enhances the user experience on their platform.
Creating Long-Term Engagement
To maintain user engagement over time, Headspace tracks individual progress through self-reported measures of stress and anxiety. By reminding users to check in on their mental health, the app helps them reflect on their journey and recognize improvements that may stem from their meditation practices. Additionally, users are encouraged to pair meditation with existing routines, transforming it into a habitual part of their lives. This ongoing self-assessment cultivates a deeper connection with the app, reinforcing its value as users experience tangible shifts in their mental well-being.
Cal Thompson is the VP of Product Design & Research at Headspace, where they lead a team dedicated to creating user-centered designs that drive real-world impact. Their focus is to combine design practices with rigorous research to help users achieve their meditation goals. Before Headspace, Cal served as a Design Director at Fjord San Francisco. In this episode, we explore:
What key metric Headspace measures for active use
The small feature change that increased engagement
The one trick they use for copy-editing
What drives people to re-engage with Headspace
How pricing (free vs. paid) impacts user engagement
This episode is packed with practical takeaways for PMs and anyone interested in the psychology of habit creation.
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