Survey Fatigue

What is Survey Fatigue?

Survey fatigue occurs when respondents get bored, tired, or uninterested in completing a survey. This results in low response rates, incomplete surveys, and, worst of all - poor data quality. During fatigue, users are less likely to provide accurate and thoughtful answers, compromising the study.

How Does Survey Fatigue Occur?

Several factors can contribute to survey fatigue:

Long surveys: Excessively long surveys requiring significant time and effort can quickly lead to fatigue.
Too many surveys: Receiving too many survey invitations in a short period can overwhelm respondents and make them less likely to participate.
Complex surveys: Surveys with confusing questions, unclear instructions, or a complex structure can frustrate respondents and increase fatigue.
Lack of Engagement: Surveys that lack engaging elements, such as visuals or interactive features, can make the experience monotonous and uninteresting.

Signs of Survey Fatigue

Be on the lookout for these warning signs that indicate your respondents may be experiencing survey fatigue:

Incomplete Responses: Many partially completed surveys suggest respondents are losing interest or motivation.
Straightlining: When respondents consistently select the same answer option for a series of questions, it may indicate that they are not fully considering each question.
Speeding: Respondents who complete the survey much faster than expected may be rushing through without carefully reading and answering the questions.
Lower Response Rates: A decline in response rates over time can signify that your target audience is becoming fatigued with your surveys.

Combating Survey Fatigue

To reduce or remove survey fatigue, consider implementing these strategies:

Keep Surveys Concise: Aim for short, focused surveys that only include essential questions. Use branching and skip logic to ensure respondents only see relevant questions. In our experience, in-product surveys should ideally contain no more than 5 questions.
Limit Survey Frequency: Be mindful of how often you send survey invitations to the same respondents. Allow sufficient time between surveys to avoid overwhelming respondents.
Ensure Clarity and Simplicity: Use clear, concise language and provide easy-to-follow instructions. Break complex questions into smaller, more manageable parts.
Engage Respondents: Incorporate engaging elements like images, videos, or gamification to make the survey experience more interactive and enjoyable.
Offer Incentives: Consider providing incentives, such as gift cards or exclusive content, to motivate respondents and show appreciation for their time and effort.
Monitor and Analyze: Regularly monitor survey metrics, such as completion rates and response times, to identify signs of fatigue. Use this data to make informed decisions about survey design and distribution.