Key Initiatives
The following includes key initiatives that the Optimal team is working on in H1 2026. To keep up-to-date with the latest updates, please visit our release notes.
Solution Testing (multi-method research)
Combine prototype testing, live site testing, and surveys into a single study. Test multiple prototypes, compare different live sites, and capture rich context in one streamlined workflow. With speak-aloud question types, video recordings, auto-generated transcripts, and automated AI insights and analysis, you can turn detailed user feedback into clear, impactful takeaways.
Chat With Your Data (platform-wide)
Explore and dig deeper with AI chat across all studies and different Optimal study types. Every insight comes with evidence and citations, so you can back up recommendations with real user feedback.
Interview Scheduler & Calendar
Set up your availability in minutes and let participants book in directly. View all upcoming and completed interviews in one place, and allow participants to reschedule, cutting out the back-and-forth emails. Automate confirmations, reminders, and thank-you messages to save time, and add collaborators to keep everyone notified of any changes, automatically. You can also choose to automatically record sessions and have them uploaded to Optimal Interviews.
Calendar & Video Integrations
Sync your calendar (Google and Microsoft) with Optimal Interviews so you can easily schedule and sync you and your team’s interview availability. Booked sessions automatically sync back to your calendar, keeping everything up to date without extra admin. Connect Optimal Interviews with your Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Team account to automatically generate and add meeting links to sessions scheduled with the Optimal scheduler.
Speak Aloud Question Type
Gather additional context with the new speak aloud question type, allowing participants to respond verbally to your question. Initially, this will be released as part of multi-method research (solution testing).
Mobile Participant App
Capture screen, video, and audio recordings for live site tests along with prototype tests accessed on mobile devices and tablets. No additional setup is needed for study creators. Participants accessing a study on a mobile device or tablet are automatically detected. They’re guided to download the Optimal Participant App on the Google Play or Apple Store. No logins required.
Chat With Your Data (platform-wide)
Explore and dig deeper with AI Chat across all studies and different Optimal study types. Every insight comes with evidence and citations, so you can back up recommendations with real user feedback.
AI Moderator (survey questions)
The AI Moderator prompts participants to speak when more detail is needed. It evaluates each question response and asks targeted follow-ups questions if an answer is too brief or off-track, resulting in richer, more thoughtful insights.