Onboarding in Instagram, Notion, and Venmo
All apps start by asking for basic info, name, email, and password. But what happens after that shows what each one values most.
Instagram wants you to connect with people you know right away. After signing up, it asks to sync your contacts or link to Facebook. That step helps fill your feed and makes the app instantly fun. The focus is clear: show you content fast so you stay. The friction is low, and the payoff is quick.
Notion just wants you to get started. Once you log in, it asks how you plan to use it, for school, work, or personal projects, and suggests templates to match. Within minutes, you’re in a workspace and trying things out. It’s not about who you know, but what you’ll create.
Venmo has a different goal: making sure the app works safely. Before you can send or receive money, you have to link your bank. It’s the most personal setup, but it makes sense, trust and security come first.
Each process feels a little different, but each helps users reach the app’s main value as soon as possible.
