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  • Video or written content? How do you prefer to read product help guides/documentation? ๐Ÿ› 

    Neri Raanani
    65 replies
    You're trying out a new product and need some help, so you turn to the company's help center. Do you look for how-to videos or written instructions?

    Replies

    Denis Pimenov
    I prefer both videos and written instructions. This allows me to understand as accurately as possible what the new product is like.
    Neri Raanani
    @new_user_11620223ff4de5436 My thought exactly. Thanks!
    Luis Hernandez Peรฑa
    For detailed information I prefer written instructions over video. I tend to get bored by videos while text allows me to go to any section easily. Additionally most of the time I need to copy/paste samples or search for a specific topic. For a presentation or features introduction, video is probably better.
    Neri Raanani
    You mentioned interesting scenarios, some of which I had not thought about and should be taken into consideration. Thank you for sharing!
    Dylan Merideth
    Demo videos for quick help and thorough product docs for deeper explanation
    Khalid M.
    SearchEgg.io
    @dylan_merideth Hey, nice seeing you here too, i noticed you from indiehackers. Love the vapour wave aesthetic btw.
    Neri Raanani
    @dylan_merideth Probably the best strategy, I agree. Thank you! :)
    Brad
    I prefer Video content.
    Neri Raanani
    @brad_fusion Thank you for sharing! ๐Ÿ’ช
    Fares
    I prefer the video! I find it more fun and faster
    Neri Raanani
    @fares_aktouf I appreciate you sharing this!
    Selman Babayigit
    Both. Written content will probably give me more information, but a page with video content would be more interesting.
    Neri Raanani
    @selman_babayigit That's what we're aiming for! Thanks for your comment! ๐Ÿ’ช
    Sergul Sungur
    I prefer to watch if there is any how to videos rather than written content. But for more detailed information I'm looking at documents.
    Neri Raanani
    @sergul_sungur1 Same here ๐Ÿ’ช
    Pramit Marattha
    I'd take both of them.
    Iya Mendoza
    Both? Haha it really depends on the topic. If it's a quick guide or questions answerable by 1 or two words/sentences, I'd go for text. But if it's more about technicality, I usually prefer video. But if it doesn't work, I resort to written content. I think that's why both video and written content is important and a valuable factor for Google algorithm.
    Neri Raanani
    @iyamendoza01 I definitely agree with you! Thanks for sharing!
    Andrew Isherwood
    Both. Loom is great for doing short guides, and then doing a transcript (not word for word but a guide following the video) once you've recorded it is easy. Then you have two pieces of content to publish instead of one :D
    Neri Raanani
    @andrew_isherwood1 Definitely, Loom is a good approach here. I'll look that up. Thank you!
    Joanne Hurley
    For me both. It depends on how my attention span is on the day. I like video for an overview if it's short and sweet.
    Kate Dalessi
    It really depends on the complexity of the product! I generally prefer text describing steps with screenshots of the product's interface. But when I was figuring our Google Analytics back in the day, I was grateful to have video tutorials:)
    Neri Raanani
    @katyaveremeichik Amazing, loved your comment. Thank you!
    Lubna Amber
    I like video content.
    Amelia Charlie
    Video content is always easy to understand and more appealing.
    Bilal Anwar
    WorkHub
    Launching soon!
    I prefer both. Video with written instructions
    Bhumi Khokhani
    I prefer written instructions over video for detailed information. The text allows me to quickly jump to any area. Furthermore, I frequently need to copy/paste samples or search for a certain topic.
    Neri Raanani
    @bhumikhokhani Important note! Thank you
    Evgeniy Yakubovskiy
    Attractive videos capture the audience's interest and keep them engaged throughout the video. That's why I'm all for videos!
    Neri Raanani
    @evgeniyyakubovckiy Videos do attract attention, but for help guides/documentation it's less about hooking the audience and more about being helpful and efficient to a user in need. Still, videos are indeed a good fit here as well - probably both written and video together. Thanks for sharing!
    Marina ฤuriฤ‡
    LeadDelta professional relationships CRM
    Usually both. A video that is under 10 minutes followed up with a bullet point explanation step by step.
    Joe Kattan
    Check out Scribe! It's great for explaining stuff
    Neri Raanani
    @joekattan Thanks! I'll definitely check it out.
    Sean Song
    Both. For myself, some cases I won't watch video because I cannot turn the sound on. So in that case txt works. And then when sound is on or AirPod with me, video is better.
    Neri Raanani
    @seansong Important case scenario to consider, thank you.