The Wall Street Journal

2025 | Media | Newspaper | App

Designing a Comment/ Read Feature

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is one of my preferred newspapers, as it provides the most informative articles on the latest global events. It is essential reading to ensure that you are informed about the world around you. I have noticed that I regularly read the WSJ using the website but have never been impressed with the mobile app. This prompted me to consider why I have not used the phone app to read. As an actual user, my rational was that the app lacked key features, such as audio playback, a comment section, and other general features. The app was less feature-rich than the website. For the purpose of the redesign, I will focus on implementing one key feature that would enhance user engagement with the app.

The Wall Street Journal is known for its accurate news. As a regular reader, I noticed the app lacked a crucial feature: the ability to comment on articles.

Current WSJ Android App

Should we consider adding a Comment Section?

Most common feedback on Google Play Store:
According to the most recent reviews, the Android application lacked common features available on the WSJ Desktop website and mobile web.

The WSJ app on Google reviews was criticised for lacking a comment feature, with users comparing it unfavourably to the advanced features available on the website. I decided to research and delve deeper into understanding user needs when commenting on a news article.

Guerilla Research

To understand why users use the comment section in a newspaper and what makes a good comment section

Goal:

By interviewing the relevant users, we can create a comment functionality section that meets the user needs

Questions

Why do you use a news app ?

Would you use a news app if it didn’t have a comment section?

What are the best features of the app

if your favourite newspaper didn’t have a comment section would you feel disappointed?

Do you use the comment section and why?

What makes a good comment section?

So you like to be alerted when a user has liked or replied to your comment?

Task:

A/B Testing

WSJ Mobile site (can comment on articles) vs WSJ App (can’t comment on articles)

What are your first impressions of WSJ

Usability Testing

What do you wish it could do more?

Do you like the functionality of the app

Users

Sample size - 2

Duration - 15 mins

User Persona

A User Persona was developed, describing the goals, frustrations, and personality.

Jobs to be Done Framework

JTBD Framework describes the needs and desires of users that leads them to use an App

What reasons do users use the WSJ?

What motivates users to use the App?

What job/task do they want to accomplish?

WHEN [SITUATION] I WANT TO [MOTIVATION] SO I CAN [DESIRED OUTCOME]

When [WSJ issues an article] users [want to comment on the article to express their viewpoint] hopefully [other users agree with their viewpoint through likes or a positive reply]

When [WSJ issues an article] users [want to read other users’ comments] so they [can understand what other similar minded users think about the topic]

Key Themes - Usability Findings

Users want more technical features on the WSJ App. The ability to read, comment, and track comment history would improve the app

For the sake of this case study, we will bring only one improvement to the app: add a comment feature