Immediately after entering Instagram, it shows a sample social feed. Then, it asks for minimal required credentials (email/phone or Facebook SSO) and after they are logged in, it prompts to “Find people” by connecting to Facebook and/or importing contacts. This is a massive friction point for the app, but because the Skip button is clear, users can avoid having to import contacts or connecting to Facebook to find contacts. After clicking the Skip button or inviting some friends, the onboarding is complete and the user can start using Instagram. The cost of requiring the user to import contacts is minimal compared to the potential increase in users that Instagram may get if users invite their friends.
Screenshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1en7d8p2_PS_pZuvpuPK_eTkWr5r6QHAY/view?usp=sharing
Notion’s onboarding requires you to sign in with the preferred method and after you have entered your portal, it asks a few contextual questions, such as use case, workspace name, etc.. Then it throws the user into a few pre-populated templates and a walkthrough of the platform. The main friction point here is the contextual questions, some of which the user can elect to skip. I think most begrudged users would just put random answers to these questions instead of answering truthfully, whereas I assume a few may leave the website.
Screenshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w8cATTuw5WmQC4yXgC11Ii1lYTfe4qw-/view?usp=share_link
Venmo’s onboarding involves the user having to verify their bank information, which can be done immediately using Plaid or manually using a micro-deposit. While this is a massive friction point because there are times at which the user may have to wait hours or days to gain access to their account, it is required due to the regulatory constraints surrounding financial information. Compared to Instagram, which keeps its onboarding quick and simple and Notion, which tries to gather some optional information, Venmo is high friction as it must gather bank information.
Screenshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ytB5v4s4IfX79-BsTH6ZQv-iUJhxovSJ/view?usp=share_link
