January 22, 2026
Best Times to Ask for Feedback (And When Not To)
Most feedback prompts fail because of timing. Ask too early and users are confused. Ask too late and they churn without telling you why. Use these timing cues to capture better signal.
High-signal moments to ask
- Right after success: user completes a key task
- After onboarding: user finishes setup or activation
- At the end of a session: user has context to reflect
- Following a support interaction: user has clarity
These are the moments when users know what they wanted and whether they got it.
Low-signal moments to avoid
- The first visit before they do anything
- Random timed popups with no context
- Interrupting checkout or billing
If you prompt during a critical flow, you risk drop-off and negative sentiment.
Keep the prompt simple
One question is enough. Ask what they were trying to do and what would make it better. Long forms drive abandonment.
Mobile considerations
On mobile, use a subtle icon or footer link instead of a full modal. Timing still matters, but interruptions are more costly.
For more UX research on timing, this overview is useful: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/feedback-forms/