Message cards let you add short pieces of text or imagery into your survey without asking respondents to answer a question. They are useful for guiding respondents, setting context, and improving the overall survey experience.
This article explains when message cards are helpful and how to use them effectively.
When to use message cards
Message cards work best when you need to communicate something to respondents rather than collect an answer. Common use cases include:
Giving instructions before a section of questions
Providing context or background information
Preparing respondents for a change in topic or task
Reassuring respondents about survey length or progress
Thanking respondents partway through a longer survey
Used well, message cards can improve clarity and reduce drop-off, especially in longer or more complex surveys.
How to add a message card
To add a message card while drafting your survey, select the dropdown arrow next to Add question and choose Message. You can then enter your text and, if needed, add an image to support or reinforce the message.
Message cards appear in the survey flow alongside questions, but do not require a response.
How message cards work
There are a few rules to be aware of when using message cards:
You can only add one message card between questions
Message cards cannot appear at the very end of a survey
Message cards do not count towards your question limit
You are not charged credits for message cards
Tips for writing effective message cards
Keep message cards short and focused. Avoid repeating information that is already clear from the question itself.
If you are using a message card to introduce a task, such as a ranking or video response, clearly explain what respondents are about to do and what is expected of them. Images can be helpful for setting context, but keep them neutral to avoid introducing bias.
If you are unsure where a message card would be helpful, Compass can suggest where to add guidance or context based on your survey draft. You can also speak to the in-house Customer Research Team via in-platform live chat for advice on improving survey flow.