Summary: Skillshare UX Research Insights

By Régis Monteiro

This UX research was conducted as a course project on UX research and AI. The research summarises feedback from three YouTubers who reviewed Skillshare, highlighting their key insights regarding the platform's best and worst features, along with language-related concerns and suggestions for improvement.

Maestra, an online transcription platform powered by AI, was used to transcribe the YouTube videos. ChatGPT was employed to summarise the transcripts and provide summaries of the YouTubers' reviews. However, ChatGPT occasionally hallucinated and provided incorrect information, meaning that my input and critical thinking as a human UX researcher were essential to analyse and fact-check the data.

Best Aspects of Skillshare according to YouTubers 1, 2 and 3:

Wide Range of Courses: All YouTubers praised Skillshare's extensive library of courses across diverse categories such as creative arts, business, personal development, and technology. The platform's focus on hands-on projects and practical application of knowledge was highlighted as a standout feature.

YouTuber 3: "What I love about Skillshare is the diversity in the courses. Whether it's creativity, business, or even mindfulness, there’s something to suit every interest."

Expert Instructors: YouTuber 3 and YouTuber 2 noted that the instructors are industry professionals, which ensures a high level of expertise and quality in the courses.

YouTuber 2: "One thing that stands out is the quality of the instructors. Many are industry professionals, which adds credibility to the courses."

Community and Interaction: YouTuber 2 and YouTuber 1 emphasised Skillshare's community features, such as discussion boards, Q&A sessions, and project feedback, which enhance the learning experience by fostering interaction and networking.

YouTuber 1: "I really like the community on Skillshare. The discussion boards, Q&A sections, and project feedback really enhance the learning experience."

Offline Access & Flexibility: YouTuber 3 and YouTuber 1 mentioned the ability to download courses for offline access as a major advantage, making learning possible on-the-go, such as during commutes.

YouTuber 3: "The offline access feature is a lifesaver. Being able to download content means I can learn on the go without worrying about internet connection."

Diverse Learning Options: YouTuber 2 appreciated the inclusion of both business and creative arts courses, while YouTuber 3 valued the balance of courses on creativity, personal development, and even life skills (e.g., mindfulness, cooking).

YouTuber 3: "There’s a good mix of courses, from creative skills to personal development. Even life skills like cooking and mindfulness are available."

Worst Aspects of Skillshare according to YouTubers 1, 2 and 3:

Overwhelming Course Selection: YouTuber 3 and YouTuber 1 found the sheer volume of available courses to be overwhelming, especially in the creative arts section. The broad categories made it difficult for users to narrow down and select relevant courses.

YouTuber 1: "With so many courses, especially in creative arts, it can be hard to know where to start. It's a bit overwhelming."

Language Barriers: All three YouTubers touched on the fact that most courses are in English, which might limit accessibility for non-English speakers. YouTuber 3 specifically mentioned that while it's possible to upload courses in other languages, the platform primarily leans towards English.

YouTuber 3: "Most of the content is in English. There are some courses in other languages, but it’s largely dominated by English."

Lack of Advanced Options or Depth: YouTuber 2 raised concerns about certain courses being too superficial, which may not meet the expectations of advanced learners seeking deeper or more comprehensive content.

YouTuber 2: "Some of the courses are a bit shallow. If you’re looking for something more advanced or in-depth, you might be disappointed."

Free Trial to Paid Subscription Transition: YouTuber 3 noted that Skillshare automatically renews to a paid subscription after the free trial ends, which might surprise users who are not aware of this feature.

YouTuber 3: "A downside is that Skillshare automatically transitions you to a paid subscription after the free trial ends. If you’re not careful, that could be a surprise."

Suggestions for Improvement:

Course Depth and Specialisation: YouTuber 2 suggested that Skillshare could benefit from offering more advanced courses to cater to professionals who seek specialised knowledge.
Language and Subtitle Options: YouTuber 3 recommended that Skillshare should expand its language offerings, especially by including more subtitles or courses in languages other than English, as a large portion of content is in English.
Course Search and Discovery: YouTuber 1 proposed that Skillshare could improve its search functionality to help users more easily navigate the course library and find relevant content.

Conclusion: Skillshare is highly regarded for its wide range of courses, expert instructors, and community engagement features. However, some users find the platform overwhelming and feel that certain courses lack depth. Language barriers and the automatic renewal of paid subscriptions are additional points of concern. Suggestions for improvement include enhancing course specialisation, broadening language options, and refining search capabilities.