Definition
A feature request is a message from a user asking for something your product can't do yet.
Feature requests show up everywhere: in reviews ("please add dark mode"), support emails, surveys and social posts. They are some of the most useful feedback you can get, because they point to a need.
The trick is to look past the request to the problem behind it. "Add a CSV export" might really mean "I need to share my data with my accountant." There may be an easier way to solve that.
How to handle them
Log every request in one place, with who asked and why. Count how often each one comes up, and weigh it by who asked. Tell people when you ship something they asked for. If you decide not to build it, say so kindly.
Example
Ten reviews ask for an Apple Watch app. When you read closer, most want to check off habits without picking up their phone. A simple widget might solve that faster.
Related terms
- Feedback tagging Feedback tagging means labeling each piece of feedback with a topic, like bug or price, so you can count themes.
- Voice of the customer (VoC) Voice of the customer (VoC) means gathering what customers say, in their own words, and using it to guide your choices.
- Jobs to be done (JTBD) Jobs to be done (JTBD) looks at the goal a person is trying to reach, not the features they ask for.
- Customer feedback loop A customer feedback loop is the cycle of hearing feedback, acting on it, and telling people what changed.
Learn more
Updated by the Synthiya team. See all terms.