overview
AI-Powered Commenting Experience
An adaptive Smart Phrases feature that personalizes engagement in real time. Using poll interactions as context, it generates relevant comment suggestions or presents diverse viewpoints for users who skip the poll, making it easier for readers to join the conversation.
the problem
From Passive Reading to Active Engagement
The majority of users read articles but rarely engage in commenting. While introducing polls earlier in the year, the polls were quick and low-friction but didn’t drive community discussions by sharing perspectives, reacting to others, and sparking dialogue.
The constraints
Technical and Business Constraints
These constraints guided the design trade-offs that shaped our product vision.
the process
Defining Information Architecture
I defined the information architecture by organizing the interface into clear content and interaction blocks that guide users from context to participation.
the process
Defining User Flow
To visualize how interaction patterns change based on context, I mapped both the signed-in and not-signed-in user flows to show how interaction patterns adapt across contexts.
When discussions have fewer than five comments, AI surfaces full-statement starters to reduce friction; as engagement grows, opinion starters prompt users to complete their thoughts.
the solution
A Smart Commenting Feature That Adapts To Readers In Real Time
A smart commenting feature that adapts to readers in real time. Within the discussion panel, users see three suggestions tailored to how they responded in the poll. This approach makes it easier for people to jump into conversation while also encouraging more meaningful contributions.
Our first launched used full statements which was the fastest way to drive participation and collect baseline metrics. Product managers prioritized speed and wanted to validate demand before adding friction.
But from a design perspective, I knew an open field alone wasn’t sustainable. Without some guardrails, the panel risked being flooded with spam and low-quality posts.
I advocated for friction in the form of opinion starters - subtle prompts that encourages original input and discouraged bots.
The compromise was a hybrid system:
MVP (empty state): show full statements so the first users could engage quickly.
Active state (>5 comments): switch to opinion starters, guiding readers toward more thoughtful contributions.