Swagbucks App Onboarding

The Problem

New members often signed up for Swagbucks, but most didn’t return after Day 1. Our data showed a steep drop-off once users completed their first task. Many didn’t know what to do next or how to earn consistently. The onboarding experience wasn’t guiding them toward the most rewarding parts of the app, like Gaming and Offers, where engagement (and retention) were strongest.

The Insight

Through HEAP and Amplitude data, Hotjar analytics from our web insights, and internal financial analysis, we discovered a critical disconnect:

We were investing heavily in new user acquisition, yet a large portion of those users weren’t activating. The numbers simply didn’t add up Our users were exploring, but not engaging. We weren't converting them to true Swagbucks members.

Qualitative feedback revealed that new members struggled to understand how Swagbucks worked and which earning paths fit their lifestyle best. That insight became the spark for a new onboarding experience focused on clarity, motivation, and personal relevance.

The Solution

I led the creation of a new guided onboarding experience designed to turn curiosity into confident participation.

The flow introduced personalized recommendations right from the start. At the core of this new experience was highlighting games, surveys, online shopping deals, and grocery cash-back offers tailored to each user’s interests.

I also introduced visual progress cues, early reward previews, and a clearer sense of “what’s next,” helping users quickly find their rhythm in the Swagbucks ecosystem.

Beyond the visuals, I championed accessibility and inclusive design throughout the process, ensuring every new member (regardless of ability or device) could navigate and participate seamlessly.

The Impact

Within six months, the new onboarding flow boosted early-stage engagement by 18% and helped drive a 2× increase in new-member retention year-over-year.

User satisfaction climbed 20% thanks to improved clarity, accessibility, and a more human, personalized introduction to earning rewards.

By connecting intent with action, this onboarding experience transformed Day 1 curiosity into lasting participation. This served to help millions of new members see the value of Swagbucks from their very first tap.