Problem
First-time internet users primarily consumed content in sharechat, with few pathways to form real-time social connections. Retention patterns suggested that deeper social interaction correlated with stronger long-term engagement.
Role
Lead UX Designer
Skills
Research, UI & Prototyping
Outcome
Within a year of launch, ShareChat’s audio chatrooms became one of India’s largest live audio community, with users streaming over 1.2 billion minutes of audio every month.
14M+
Monthly active users
30 mins+
Average time spent
/ Context
Building Connection,
From 0 → 1.
ShareChat is a vernacular-first social platform for millions of first-time internet users. While it excelled at content discovery, there was a massive untapped opportunity to move from "scrolling" to "talking."
This project focuses on how we built the country's largest live audio ecosystem from scratch.
/ Research : Data Analysis
Finding user cohorts
with higher retention.
71%
Shake n Chat users
D7 retention
51%
Users Commenting
D7 retention
45%
Platform D7 Retention
Platform vs Comment, DM & SnC retention
Users who engaged socially through comments, DM and Shake n Chat were shown to have higher retention.
Comments on Post
Over time, these comment threads were becoming communities of their own. Users would come back every day to continue conversation in the replies.
We previously had a "Shake-and-Chat"
feature that matched strangers 1-on-1.
It validated synchronous, ephemeral
connection with it’s higher user retention.
/ Research : Past Analysis
Shake N Chat
What did we learn?
While popular, it was a moderation nightmare.
/ Brainstorming
"How do we help strangers connect in a safe,
structured, low-pressure environment that still
feels real-time and personal?”
Text
Chaotic Concurrency
Less Intimidating
Easy learning Curve
Existing Competitors
Video
Highly Intrusive
Highly Intimidating
Moderate learning Curve
Existing Competitors
Audio
Moderately Intrusive
Moderately Intimidating
Higher learning Curve
Relatively Less
Mapping the possibilities
We evaluated three formats for the new community space.
Audio emerged as the "Goldilocks" medium -
intimate yet anonymous.
Our users were already familiar with WhatsApp and Facebook groups. We aimed to take that group-chat energy and make it live and discoverable. The challenge was building a brand-new UX pattern for a user base that had never seen Clubhouse.
/ Brainstorming
Mapping Mental Models
Goals &
Design Conceptualisation
Seamless Multimodal Exploration
Text and audio intertwined seamlessly, allowing users to explore the space at their own pace.
Enable progressive onboarding
Introduce features gradually through tasks, feedback, and incentives.
01
Creating an ephemeral chatroom
which goes live when a host/creator is online.
Chatroom Discovery
Chatroom Creation
Chatroom FTUE for the host
02
The MVP brought together text for quick interactions and audio for richer conversations.
Host & Speakers
Up to 8 audio speakers could participate while others engaged in text.
The room was capped at 8 speakers to keep the conversation coherent.
Hosts were the moderators, curators, and facilitators of the vibe.
Joiners Nudge
When other users enters chatroom a nudge is triggered for FTUE,
It swaps to display every other entering users.
Chatroom - Main Screen
Comments
All users entering chatroom can comment via text, stickers and gif.
Text layer for low-pressure interaction to accommodate for shy yet curious users.
03
Defining the Role of the Host:
Responsible for safety and engagement.
Speaker request
Users can accept request from host to join as speaker.
Users can also directly send request to host for becoming a speaker.
Post acceptance users can also mute or leave the audio.
Online users: Nudge & List
Speaker Request from Host
Chatroom FTUE for the host
Role/Power of Host
Hosts has the power to "mute" "Accept/Send request" or "Block" users joining chatroom.
Chatroom goes offline once host leaves to prevent abuse due to lack of moderation.
Chatroom FTUE for the host
Users profile view - Quick actions
Commenters & Speakers
04
To encourage user's regular participation,
we introduced streaks as part of growth strategy.
Streaks - D0 Onboarding
Streaks score - Nudge
Streaks progress + Rewards
05
Hosts were onboarded progressively using gamified, incentive-led best practices.
Gamified Onboarding
Hosts can track real-time progress and scores.
Hosts can swipe to preview upcoming tier tasks and rewards.
These tasks were based on research on top tier hosts and their journey.
Rewards
Locked rewards can be previewed and unlocks after
task completion.
These rewards were designed for in-app custom experiences like audio, animated stickers etc.
Progressive onboarding - Nudge
Tier and Task View for Hosts
Chatroom FTUE for the host
Best Practices Guide
Hosts were provided with short videos on best practices, to encourage users to comment.
There were also short snippets from on different in app tools being used to encouraege adoption.
Chatroom FTUE for the host
Tips and Tricks
Trophies for social gratification
Outcome &
User Feedbacks
Within a year of launch, ShareChat’s audio chatrooms became one of India’s largest live audio community, with users streaming over 1.2 billion minutes of audio every month.
14 Million+
Monthly Active Users
30 mins+
Average Time Spent
350K+
Active CR Hosts
+17%
User Retention
Running my own chatroom showed me I could be more than just a teacher in my village. I share what I know with people across India, and what I learn from them, I bring back to my classroom. I never thought someone like me could do this.
Curious about the work?
Let's Connect.
Phone Number
+919741913592
Email Id
chetan.potnuru@gmail.com