User feedback
Sources of User Feedback for Open Food Facts
Open Food Facts (OFF) benefits from a diverse range of channels for collecting user feedback. These channels offer unique advantages and considerations, allowing the project to continuously improve and cater to its users' needs.
In-App survey
- We have an in-app feedback form, with feedback arriving into a spreadsheet
- We have a specific prices survey
- Please ask for access if needed
Advantages
Caveats
Issue Tracker (GitHub)
- Various repositories, mostly openfoodfacts-server and smooth-app.
- Feedback can be direct like here or be in the form of an issue (there's some upvoting of issues, but it's biased to GitHub users).
Advantages
- Centralized platform for bug reports and feature requests
- Detailed discussion and tracking of issues
Caveats
- Technical focus may deter non-technical users
- 10 years of feedback
- Hard to get quantitative impact
Community Forums
Advantages
- Open and collaborative discussion space
- Community-driven support and knowledge sharing
- Opportunity for users to help each other
- Ability to contact users for followups
Caveats
- Less structured than issue trackers
Real life events
Advantages
- Potential for in-depth discussions and hands-on testing
Caveats
- Bias, depending on the event
Social Media
Advantages
- Real-time feedback and engagement
- Informal and accessible communication
- Ability to contact users for followups
Caveats
- Less structured and harder to track specific issues
User Surveys and Polls
Advantages
- Targeted data collection on specific topics
- Quantifiable feedback and insights
- Ability to reach a large user base
Caveats
- Requires careful design and analysis
- May suffer from low response rates or bias
Mobile App Reviews
Where ?
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.openfoodfacts.scanner
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/open-food-facts-product-scan/id588797948?see-all=reviews
- Beware, those reviews might be filtered by country, and you might not see all of them. We do periodic CSV exports.
Advantages
- Direct feedback on app experience and usability
- Easy to collect and analyze
Caveats
- Often focused on specific issues or bugs
- May not represent the broader user experience
- Publicly visible, influencing potential users
Email Support
Advantages
- Personalized and detailed feedback
- Opportunity for in-depth discussions and problem-solving
- Direct contact with users
Caveats
User Testing and Interviews
What
- Last massive wave in Fall 2023 for the Proof of Concept of the Mobile app
- Past: Some by ShareIT, Google.org volunteers and more
Advantages
- In-depth understanding of user behavior and needs
- Identification of usability issues and pain points
- Opportunity to observe users directly
Caveats
- Resource-intensive and time-consuming
- May not be representative of the entire user base