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Design: Rethinking Topic Selection in Suggested Edits
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Description

As a new contributor, I want to start editing right away without having to choose topics first, so that I can quickly try editing and build momentum.

Background

Suggested Edits currently asks newcomers on desktop to select topics before they can begin editing. While this helps personalize recommendations, it may also introduce friction and delay the moment when users can start contributing. Additionally, existing topic filters may feel too broad or not meaningful enough for users with more specific interests.

Objective

Explore ways to reduce friction in getting started with Suggested Edits while improving the relevance and usefulness of topic filtering.

Key Questions to Explore

  • What happens if users can access Suggested Edits immediately, without selecting topics first?
  • How can we introduce topic preferences in a more lightweight or contextual way?
  • How might we make topic filtering more granular and meaningful, especially for users with niche or specific interests?
  • What signals (implicit or explicit) can we use to infer user interests without requiring upfront input?
  • Improved topic model: Explore more detailed or flexible topic structures
  • User control and transparency: Ensure users can easily understand and adjust why certain suggestions are shown.
  • How can we reusing existing topic filtering design patterns (Content Translation for example)?

Related metrics:

  • Increased constructive activation
  • Increased second week retention
  • Improved perceived relevance of Suggested Edits

Community tools

Acceptance Criteria:

Concept flows and wireframes for alternative entry experiences
Interaction patterns for progressive topic selection
Proposals for a more granular and flexible topic filtering system
Recommendations for experimentation and measurement