Browse-based vs chat-based UI

By 20VC

Categories: VC, Startup

Summary

Contrary to popular belief, most people prefer browsing to goal-driven interactions, even tech leaders like Sam and Elon. The optimal UI for founders may be a browse-based experience, not just chat-based intent capture.

Key Takeaways

1. The most high agency people in the world, like Sam and Elon, design products with a chat-based UI where you can get exactly what you want. But many people prefer to browse and spend time, not just save time.
2. For people who are not sure what they want and can't always articulate it, a browse-based interface may be more suitable than a chat-based intent capture.
3. The future of intent-based UI may be chat, but browse-based interfaces are likely to largely stay the same as people continue to enjoy browsing and spending time on products.
4. Founders should consider designing browse-based experiences in addition to intent-based chat, as this may better serve the preferences of their target users.
5. Tech professionals should be aware that even the most high-agency people in the world, like Sam and Elon, may not always design products that align with the preferences of the general user base.
6. Builders should consider the balance between intent-based and browse-based interfaces when designing products, as catering to both types of user preferences may be important for long-term success.

Topics

• Browse-based UI
• Chat-based UI
• User Preferences
• Founder Mindset
• Product Design

Transcript Excerpt

Most people don't want to save time, they want to spend time. And the products are designed by the most high agency people in the world. Like Sam and Elon are the most high agency people in the world. For them, the optimal UI is a chat box where you say exactly what you want and like voila, there it is. But for many people, they are again looking to waste time, spend time. They want a browse-based interface. They're not quite sure what they want. They can't always articulate it. So, I think that...