Feature Discovery Survey to Uncover Hidden Features
Find out which existing features users don't know about. Turn awareness gaps into adoption opportunities and stop building features users can't find.
The undiscovered features problem every SaaS company faces
Most products have powerful features that users simply don't know exist. Here are the painful realities of feature discoverability gaps that hurt adoption and retention.
The Hidden Cost of Undiscovered Features
Every existing feature your users don't know about represents lost product value and missed opportunities. Users churn when they feel they're not getting full value from capabilities that already exist in your product.
What is a Feature Discovery Survey (and why it matters)
Feature discovery surveys address one of the most common problems in SaaS: users don't know what they don't know. The survey asks two critical questions:
"Were you aware of [key feature name]?"
"What would help you start using it?"
These questions help you identify which existing features users don't know about, so you can improve discoverability rather than building new features users won't find.
| Response | What it means |
|---|---|
| Yes, I was aware | Feature is discoverable - good visibility |
| No, I wasn't aware | Hidden feature - needs better discoverability |
| I forgot about it | Feature exists but needs better reminders |
This simple survey uncovers which existing features users don't know about, helping you identify discoverability gaps in your current product.
See the Template in Action
This template is designed specifically to identify which existing features users don't know about and gather feedback on how to improve discoverability.
Example Questions:
- • Were you aware of [key feature name]?
- • What would help you start using it?
What to do after discovering awareness gaps
The real work begins after you collect responses. Here's how to turn awareness gaps into adoption improvements.
Identify awareness gaps
See exactly which features users don't know about and prioritize discoverability improvements.
Improve feature visibility
Use the feedback to enhance onboarding flows, navigation, and in-app guidance for unknown features.
Track adoption improvements
Measure before and after to see if discoverability changes actually increase feature usage.
This systematic approach ensures every discovery becomes an opportunity to improve feature adoption and user satisfaction.
Visualize awareness gaps at a glance
See which existing features users don't know about. PulseAhead dashboards show awareness rates, discoverability gaps, and specific suggestions for improving feature visibility.
Feature Awareness Heatmap
See at a glance which of your existing features users know about and which remain hidden.
Discovery Gap Analysis
Compare awareness vs. usage rates to identify existing features that need better discoverability.
Discoverability Insights
Surface common themes from user feedback about how to make existing features more visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a feature discovery survey template?
A feature discovery survey template is a pre-built questionnaire that helps you identify which existing features in your product users are unaware of or have forgotten about. It asks direct questions about awareness of current capabilities and gathers suggestions for improving discoverability. With PulseAhead's template, you can quickly uncover which features are hidden from your users.
Why should I use a feature discovery survey?
Feature discovery surveys help you identify which existing features users don't know about, not which new features to build. They help you distinguish between discoverability issues and actual feature problems, ensuring users find the valuable capabilities you've already built rather than leaving because they feel they're not getting full value.
How often should I run feature discovery surveys?
Run feature discovery surveys quarterly or after major feature releases. You can also trigger them when you notice low adoption rates for specific features. The key is to survey regularly enough to catch awareness gaps before they impact retention, but not so often that you survey fatigue.
Can feature discovery surveys help increase adoption?
Yes, feature discovery surveys are one of the most effective ways to increase adoption of existing features. By identifying which current features users don't know about and improving discoverability, companies typically see 20-40% increases in feature usage. The surveys help you focus on making existing capabilities visible rather than building new features users won't find.
What should I do after discovering awareness gaps?
After identifying features users don't know about, improve their visibility through better onboarding, in-app guidance, navigation improvements, or feature announcements. Then measure the impact by tracking adoption rates before and after the changes. Share findings with your product team to prioritize discoverability in future development.
Can I customize which features to ask about?
Absolutely! PulseAhead allows you to fully customize the template. You can specify which features to ask about, add more awareness options (like 'I knew about it but forgot'), or include follow-up questions about specific discoverability barriers. The template is designed to be flexible for any type of feature or product.
What's a good awareness rate for features?
For core features, you want 80-90% awareness. For advanced features, 50-70% is often acceptable. Anything below 50% suggests a discoverability problem. The key metric is the gap between awareness and usage - if users know about a feature but don't use it, that's a different problem than if they don't know it exists at all.
How can feature discovery surveys reduce churn?
Users often churn because they feel they're not getting value from your product. When they discover features they didn't know existed, they see more value and are more likely to stick around. Discovery surveys help you unlock this 'hidden value' before users decide to leave, directly impacting retention rates.