AKSHITA | 2025-07-29 04:30:00+00:00
Ever wonder why some people happily fill out surveys while others ignore them completely?
You’re not alone. Every business that uses surveys, be it for feedback, research, or service improvement, has faced the same challenge: how do you get more people to respond honestly and actually press that “Submit” button?
The truth is, survey response isn't just about design or timing, it’s rooted in psychology. There are emotional, social, and even subconscious factors that influence whether a person chooses to give feedback or not.
In this guide, we’ll explore what really drives people to complete surveys, what discourages them, and how you can use these insights to make your surveys more engaging and effective.
Let’s begin with the positive side, why people fill surveys.
When people believe their opinion will make a difference, they are more likely to respond. Especially if they’ve had a strong experience, good or bad, they want to be heard.
Simple messages like “Your feedback helps us serve you better” or “Tell us how we did, it only takes a minute” can encourage them to share their thoughts.
Sometimes, when a service or product leaves a positive impression, customers feel like giving something back. Filling a short survey becomes their way of saying thank you.
Especially after a smooth order, friendly service, or a freebie, they’re more open to sharing feedback out of goodwill.
If someone had a really bad or really good experience, they often feel the need to express it. A survey gives them a quick outlet for their emotions.
This is why feedback should be collected soon after the interaction, while the experience is still fresh in their mind.
Let’s now flip the coin. Why do people ignore surveys?
With surveys popping up everywhere, apps, websites, emails, people often get overwhelmed. This is called survey fatigue.
To avoid this, businesses should not overdo it. Keep surveys short, to the point, and not too frequent.
Many people don’t click on surveys because they assume it’ll take too long. If the first question looks complicated, they close it right away.
To fix this, use phrases like “Takes just 30 seconds” or “Only 3 questions” right at the start.
If the survey message feels cold or too professional, it turns people away. Nobody wants to talk to a robot.
Use friendly language and a conversational tone. Something like, “Hi Neha, quick one, how was your last visit with us?” feels much better than, “Please rate your recent interaction.”
Now let’s look at some less obvious but very real psychological factors that influence user behaviour.
When people feel they have control over a situation, they’re more likely to participate. A well-designed, non-intrusive survey gives that sense of control.
What helps:
Give the user the option to skip.
Let them know their response is anonymous (if it is).
Don’t force too many required questions.
Why this works: People are more open when they don’t feel pressured.
Sometimes people respond to surveys because they feel like they’re part of a group or community. They want their voice to contribute to a collective experience.
This is common in:
Schools and colleges
Customer communities
App beta testers
Loyalty members
How to use it:
“Join 5,000+ users in helping us improve your experience.”
This makes the user feel like they’re part of something bigger.
Sometimes, people respond simply because they’re curious, especially if you make the survey sound fun, new, or interesting. Others do it to feel a sense of “closure” after a service.
What works:
Creative intros like “We’re building something new. Can we get your input?”
Fun elements like emoji-based ratings or gamified sliders
“Last step” messaging after a completed task
Let’s turn theory into action with real examples. Below are some survey styles and what psychology they tap into.
Trigger: After checkout
Tone: Gratitude + control
Message:
“Thanks for shopping with us! Can we ask you 2 quick questions to make your next visit even smoother?”
This uses reciprocity + control + timing.
Trigger: After appointment ends
Tone: Empathy + belonging
Message:
“Your experience matters to us and helps improve care for others. Please take 30 seconds to share your thoughts.”
This uses social good + emotion.
Trigger: After an event or session
Tone: Collective identity
Message:
“Be part of improving our future sessions. Your feedback shapes what comes next.”
This uses community identity + purpose.
Different survey formats appeal to different emotions. Choose based on your audience:
Survey Type | Psychological Trigger | Use Case |
1–5 Rating Scale | Simplicity + Speed | Cafes, Clinics, Retail |
Emoji Feedback | Playfulness + Ease | Apps, Gen Z brands |
Open-Ended Q | Freedom + Expression | Education, Niche services |
Yes/No Survey | Clarity + Control | Entry points, Confirmations |
MCQs with Personalisation | Curiosity + Logic | Product feedback |
Even a technically perfect survey can fail if you ignore the human side.
Imagine sending a 10-question survey with no greeting, poor formatting, and a boring subject line.
Result? Ignored.
But the same feedback request, with a warm tone, short questions, and a human touch? More responses, better insights.
Let’s not forget, the person took time out to give you feedback. One of the biggest motivators to click “Submit” is the hope that their input will make a difference.
So if you collect feedback but never act on it, people stop responding over time.
What to do:
Acknowledge their effort
Share visible changes when possible (“Thanks to your feedback, we’ve improved…”)
Don’t send repeat surveys if someone didn’t respond the first time
One big reason why people stop filling surveys over time is because they never see results. They feel like no one is listening.
Always close the feedback loop:
Share updates: “Thanks to your feedback, we improved our returns policy.”
Say thank you: “Your opinion helped us serve you better.”
Don’t over-survey the same person again and again
This builds trust and encourages future participation.
✅ Keep surveys short (3–5 questions)
✅ Be friendly and natural
✅ Personalise wherever possible
✅ Avoid too many reminders
✅ Use mobile-friendly designs
✅ Offer simple, meaningful rewards
✅ Show customers their feedback makes a difference
Surveys are not just about data, they’re about people. Understand what matters to them, and they’ll be happy to tell you what matters to you.
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