Friday, November 17, 2023

Enhancing User Experience on the Reddit App: A Comprehensive Approach

By Fatemeh Sadat Mirshafiee (student number 300399661), a Student of System and Computer engineering at Carleton University.
Proposed recommendations to enhance user experience and usability based on the Heuristic Evaluation,Nielsen's Heuristics. fmirs066@uottawa.ca




 
Introduction

Imagine the Reddit app as a huge online gathering where you can chat about whatever piques your interest. Think of it like a massive building with different rooms, each dedicated to various topics, and these rooms are called "subreddits." Whether you're into cute animal pictures, movie discussions, science, or your favorite hobbies, there's a subreddit for it. The app acts like a magical key that opens these rooms for you. In these spaces, you can share pictures, stories, or just have a chat with folks who share your passions. What's cool is that people can vote on things they like, and the most popular stuff rises to the top for everyone to see.

However, like any good thing, the app isn't perfect. Sometimes it doesn't display things correctly or uses confusing words. But here's the bright side – there are suggestions to make it even better. Ideas like providing clear explanations for words and making it simpler to customize how the app looks and works for you. All in all, the Reddit app is a enjoyable way to connect with people globally who share your interests. It's like entering a vast virtual community where you can discover new things and engage in interesting conversations.


Problems and Recommendation

1)     The Reddit app faces usability challenges, notably in its failure to provide timely notifications for new comments or messages. The main issue lies in the absence of quick alerts for user interactions. To address this, I recommend implementing a notification system that ensures users receive immediate updates on comments and messages. This proposed feature also allows users to customize their notification preferences, preventing unnecessary disruptions. Such an enhancement not only improves the overall user experience by making Reddit more engaging but also ensures users stay well-informed about ongoing discussions and activities on the platform.

 

2)     Sometimes, the app has trouble showing things. To fix this, when stuff doesn't show up, the app should tell you what's wrong in a simple way. It could say if it's a problem with the server or the app itself, and maybe use numbers or words to explain what's happening. This way, you know what's wrong and how to deal with it.

 

3)      Reddit has its own special words and names that might be confusing. To make it easier for new users, I suggest adding helpful hints or simple explanations right in the app when they come across these words, like "subreddits," "karma," "upvotes," and "downvotes." This way, new folks can understand what these things mean without feeling lost, making Reddit more friendly and easy to use for everyone.

 

4)     Sometimes, it's not easy to understand what certain pictures or buttons do in the app. To fix this, I suggest making the app better by adding words or helpful tips that explain what each button or picture is for. This way, you won't have to guess, and using the app will be much easier. It's like adding labels to things so you know what they do, making the app simpler and friendlier for everyone to use.

5)     Sometimes, it's a bit tricky to stop following certain groups on Reddit. To make this easier, I suggest adding a simple and easy-to-find "Unsubscribe" button in each group. This way, you can choose what you want to see without any trouble. Also, having a friendly menu to manage the groups you follow can help you control what shows up on your app, making it more personalized and simpler for you to use.

 

6)     Sometimes, it's hard to make the Reddit app look and work the way you want. To fix this, I suggest adding more ways for you to change things in the app. You could pick different colors, layouts, and choose how you want to get notifications. This will make the app more fun and match what you like, giving you more control and making it easier for you to use.

7)     the rules and how things are handled in different parts of Reddit can be confusing. To make it better, I suggest that Reddit creates clear and similar rules for all areas. This way, everyone knows what's expected, and it makes sure that each part of Reddit is a friendly and respectful place. Providing support and tools for the people who watch over these areas will also help keep things fair and positive. By doing this, Reddit can make sure that wherever you go on the platform, you have a good and predictable experience, and everyone feels welcome.

 

8)     Sometimes, mistakes happen when you're posting on Reddit, like accidentally posting the same thing twice or posting too often. To make Reddit easier and less frustrating, I suggest adding a helpful tool that checks for these common mistakes before you post. If there's an issue, it could show a friendly message to let you know what's wrong and help you fix it. This way, you won't have to worry about making mistakes, and using Reddit will be more fun and straightforward for everyone.

9)     Sometimes, when you're writing something on Reddit, the app doesn't give a heads-up if you try to leave the page before finishing. To make it better, I suggest adding a little warning that pops up and asks if you're sure you want to leave. This helps to avoid accidentally losing what you wrote and gives you a chance to save or finish before moving away. It's like a safety net, so you don't lose your work by mistake, making the Reddit app more user-friendly and preventing any frustration.

10)  Sometimes, it can be a bit tricky to find what you're looking for on the Reddit app. To make things better, I suggest adding easier ways to organize and find stuff, especially in the big, busy groups. This means you can quickly see the things you want and have a smoother time using the app, especially in the really popular groups. It's like giving you better tools to make your experience on Reddit simpler and more enjoyable.

11)  Sometimes, it's hard to find exactly what you're looking for on Reddit because there aren't enough tools to help you search and filter things. To make Reddit better, I suggest adding more advanced search and filter options. This means you can easily find the specific stuff you want, making your experience on Reddit easier and more enjoyable.

 

12)  Sometimes, the Reddit app doesn't look as nice because there are too many ads. To make it prettier and more enjoyable, I suggest using fewer ads so that there's a better balance between ads and the interesting stuff you want to see. This way, the app will be more pleasing to the eye, making your time on Reddit more enjoyable and keeping you engaged with the things you like to see.

Reddit is a big and diverse place, so the issues I talked about might not be a problem for everyone. Reddit has been working hard to make things better, and lots of people really enjoy using it, finding it interesting and helpful, even with some challenges.
these recommendations collectively aim to address various usability concerns within the Reddit app, aiming for a more intuitive, customizable, and enjoyable user experience. While acknowledging the diverse user base and the platform's continuous efforts for improvement, implementing these suggestions could contribute to making Reddit even more accessible and satisfying for its vast community.

Conclusion
the Reddit app, while immensely popular and engaging, does face some usability challenges that could be addressed for a more seamless user experience. The recommendations provided focus on making the app more user-friendly, visually appealing, and customizable. From improving notifications and error prevention to simplifying language and adding user-friendly features, these suggestions aim to enhance various aspects of the app. It's important to note that Reddit is a dynamic and diverse platform, and while these issues might not affect every user, addressing them could contribute to an even more positive and enjoyable experience for the broad and varied Reddit community. It's evident that Reddit is committed to constant improvement, and with these suggested enhancements, the platform can continue to evolve into an even more accessible and satisfying space for users to connect, share, and explore.
the Reddit app is a vibrant online community where users can engage in discussions, share interests, and discover a multitude of topics through specialized subreddits. This virtual space facilitates global connections, allowing individuals to contribute their thoughts, pictures, and stories to the collective dialogue. However, as with any complex platform, the app encounters usability challenges that have been thoughtfully addressed through a series of recommendations. These suggestions span from improving notification systems to enhance user engagement, addressing content display issues, and simplifying the platform's unique jargon for new users. The emphasis on clear explanations for buttons, customizable features, and user control reflects a commitment to making the app more intuitive and user-friendly. Furthermore, recommendations touch on establishing consistent rules and support mechanisms across Reddit to ensure a positive experience for all users. The proposal for error prevention tools, warnings, and improved search functionalities strives to create a smoother and frustration-free user experience. Collectively, these recommendations aim to refine the Reddit app, making it more enjoyable, accessible, and tailored to the diverse needs of its extensive user base. While acknowledging that these issues may not be universal, the ongoing efforts of the Reddit team to enhance the platform underscore the commitment to providing an engaging and valuable experience for all users.
By Fatemeh Sadat Mirshafiee

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