What are user preferences?

Since preferences vary from user to user based on individual needs or habits, apps should make it easy for users to tailor the app experience to their needs. Examples of user preferences include options for notification settings, opt-in/opt-out, data privacy, and more.

Businesses need to address user preferences for legal and marketing purposes. Providing users with options about how data will be used, app tracking, or disclosed with third parties is essential to complying with data privacy and security regulations. 

Likewise, prompting users for their preferences at points like onboarding or transactions is a step that precedes various marketing outreach, such as push notifications, SMS, or email. A business should respect and implement user preferences to ensure a positive, secure, and lasting customer relationship.

Examples of in-app user preferences

• Notifications: Users have different preferences for what type of notifications they want to receive and how often. They should be able to adjust notifications for all in-app communications, including messages, mentions, and updates.

• Personalization: Users are more likely to use apps that customize the experience to their needs or habits. Changing themes, layouts, content, organization, and more helps to create a sense of ownership that drives app engagement and loyalty.

• Privacy and security: Users are more likely to use and trust apps that make clear their user data and privacy protections. It’s important to give users options to control personal information and be transparent about security measures and data handling practices.

• Design: Some users prefer a cleaner user interface, while others want a more dynamic, interactive app experience. You can offer options to change the color scheme, font sizes, theme, or layout.

• Social sharing: Users may want to share from your app to social media, while others won’t. Social sharing options, social login capabilities, and integration with popular social platforms can increase convenience and encourage engagement.

• Read receipts and typing indicators: Some users may want to display to other users when they’ve read or are responding to a message, while others may prefer that their actions remain private until they choose to respond.

User preferences give people a sense of control over their in-app interactions and experiences, helping create a more meaningful, engaging experience. Sendbird and other leading in-app communications platforms provide tools and a user dashboard to help build, implement, and manage in-app user preferences.