Double your app engagement steal these 10 story ideas

Let’s be honest – how many apps do you still have on your phone that you never use? It’s a common scenario. You download one, try it out, and within weeks, you uninstall it. You’re not alone – nearly 70% of users stop using an app within 30 days.

Steal these 10 story ideas to double your app engagement

What keeps users around? Engagement. The apps that last aren’t just functional – they’re fun, interactive, and make a personal connection. Think about the last time you opened an app just to see something new – that’s the power of good engagement.

The missing link in keeping users engaged

If you want to take your engagement efforts to the next level, it’s time to think omnichannel. Engaging users through a mix of in-app stories, push notifications, emails, and SMS ensures that you’re always in touch, no matter where they are.

Think about it this way: say a user sees a killer deal on your app via an in-app story but gets distracted by a phone call before checking out. If you’re only using one channel, that deal might slip through the cracks. But with omnichannel, you send a push notification later, “Hey, don’t miss this! Limited-time offer is still waiting for you!” And just like that, they’re back. You’re staying top of mind, and users love that extra nudge.

Here’s why it works:

• Push Notifications: Let’s be real, over 95% of brands use them for a reason – they work! And it’s not just about spamming users. Smart brands are using personalization to make these messages feel like they’re crafted just for their customers. Remember that time your favorite food delivery app sent you a push just as you were craving pizza? Coincidence? Very unlikely.
• Emails and SMS: Yeah, email might seem a bit retro, but it remains a vital tool for keeping your users updated on deals or order updates. Imagine receiving those straightforward transactional emails from your favorite online retailer, letting you know your package is on its way – simple yet crucial. And SMS? It’s the ideal channel for those urgent, can’t-miss messages, such as a sudden flash sale or an exclusive discount offer. Quick and to the point!
• Content Cards and In-App Messaging: Ever browsed an app and seen those pop-ups or banners giving you info without interrupting your flow? That’s the beauty of in-app messaging. Picture this: you’re scrolling through a fitness app, and bam, a quick message pops up – “Check out our new yoga classes available now!” No email needed, just a quick, friendly heads-up.
• In-App Stories: They’re not just a social media trend anymore. 70% of mobile app users engage with in-app stories regularly. Through stories one can onboard new users, show off new features, or throw a promotion their way, in other words, grab users’ attention. Imagine a shopping app dropping an in-app story with a sneak peek of an upcoming collection. Now you’ve got users buzzing to check it out before anyone else.
   

The success of in-app stories proves just how important it is to meet users where they are, with relevant and timely content. But not all stories are created equal. Depending on your app’s audience, the type of story that resonates will differ. Here are 10 versatile story ideas that can be adapted to fit your app, whether it’s focused on fitness, shopping, gaming, or any other niche you’re working in.

Ask your audience

Don’t guess what your users want — ask them. Adding polls or questions into your app’s stories gives users the chance to share their preferences, interests, feedback, making them feel heard and involved.

• Helps you collect zero-party data (straight from users) while creating an interactive dialogue
• Can boost retention by keeping users engaged with personalized content tailored to their responses
• Makes the brand-customer relationships more transparent and collaborative
   

This is a great fit for industries like e-commerce and media, where staying on top of shifting customer preferences can make all the difference.

FAQ stories

Instead of navigating endless support pages, users can get quick, visual answers to common questions due to FAQ stories.

• Improves retention and simplifies the customer journey, making it easier for users to resolve issues on their own
• Lightens the load on customer service teams
   

This works especially well for industries like SaaS or financial services, where users often need quick and easy access to help without getting frustrated.

Checkout in stories

Got a new collection or a flash sale? Let users tap, add to cart, and check out – all without ever leaving the story. It’s fast, smooth, and keeps the excitement going.

• Featured products can be added to a cart in one tap, shortening the path to purchase
• Drives impulse buys, especially when paired with limited-time offers or exclusive collections
• Shopping stories can increase conversions by making the process fun and easy – perfect for e-commerce apps.
   

Perfect for e-commerce apps, particularly in sectors like fashion or beauty, where you can catch users in the moment and turn their excitement into instant purchases.

In a recent case, checkout-enabled stories saw great results, with over 41% of users who opened the story clicking through. Plus, with 37.4% of readers going on to make a purchase, it’s clear that offering a simple, seamless checkout within stories can really boost conversions.

Meme-driven content

A little humor goes a long way. When you integrate memes into your in-app stories, you add a layer of fun that makes your app feel relatable and current.

• Apps can tap into trending memes to entertain users while subtly promoting products
• Boosts shareability: users love spreading content they find funny or meaningful
• Creates a stronger emotional connection, which drives engagement and repeat interactions
   

Memes are a great hit in industries like gaming, entertainment, or youth fashion. In a recent case, memes really grabbed users’ attention, with over 60% of people who saw the story opening it, and 47.5% of those sticking around to read more. While memes may not always lead to direct conversions, they’re clearly great at getting people engaged and keeping them entertained.

Contextual tips & rules

Deliver tips when users actually need them. For example, a travel app could suggest packing tips when a user books a flight, or a food app might recommend recipes based on ingredients already in their cart.

• Enhances the user experience by offering help at the right moments
• Reduces the feeling of overwhelm, as the app delivers useful tips only when they are relevant
• This type of contextual engagement can extend user lifetime by keeping interactions timely and valuable
   

This is super useful for travel and fitness apps, where timely tips – like packing advice or workout suggestions- help keep users engaged and add real value.

In a recent case, contextual tips delivered impressive engagement, with a 49.2% open rate and 42.6% of users who opened the story continuing to read further. This demonstrates how timely, relevant suggestions can effectively capture and maintain user interest.

Mini-game creation

Turn your app into a playground with mini-games that keep users entertained. A fashion app could offer a style quiz or a home decor app could invite users to design their dream room.

• Using game-like mechanics, such as spinning wheels, gives users the chance to win rewards like promo codes or discounts
• Builds loyalty, as users return to play and engage with new challenges or content
• Particularly effective during the low season, when customer activity slows down
   

Mini-games are a fantastic way to boost engagement in retail or lifestyle apps. In a recent example, mini-games proved to be a hit, with 38% of users who opened the story actively engaging by clicking through to play. These interactive experiences are a great way to drive deeper user participation and build long-term loyalty.

ASMR quiz

Tapping into sensory engagement, ASMR quizzes create an immersive experience for users. For example, a food app might play sound bites of chopping or sizzling, and ask users to guess the ingredients.

Particularly effective for food, beauty, or wellness apps, drawing users into the experience

Adds a unique element to your app, standing out from the typical text or image-based stories

The immersive nature keeps users coming back to engage with more sensory content

If you’re in the food, beauty, or wellness space, ASMR quizzes offer a unique way to draw users in and get them interacting with your content in a memorable way.

Personalized stories for special moments

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or another key date, one can surprise users with exclusive offers, send a thoughtful greeting, or even throw in a fun quiz to keep things playful. These small gestures go a long way.

• It’s all about showing users they’re valued — building loyalty without trying too hard
• Perfect moment to drop a personalized discount or offer on something they love
• These simple gestures create a lasting emotional connection
   

This approach works wonders for retail, hospitality, and subscription services where making users feel valued on their special days can really deepen loyalty.

Quest labyrinth

Turn your app into an adventure using a “choose-your-path” story where users get to make decisions and unlock different outcomes. It’s an easy, fun way to keep them hooked and explore more of what your app has to offer.

• Perfect for gaming apps, but adaptable to any app to introduce interactive storytelling
• Encourages users to spend more time in-app, discovering various storylines and paths
• Drives repeat engagement, as users come back to try different options and unlock new experiences
   

This format is ideal for gaming apps, but it can also be a creative way to spice up education or learning platforms by turning user exploration into an adventure.

Personality tests

Everyone loves a good personality quiz, especially when it’s fun and shareable. For instance, a food delivery app could ask, “Which dish are you?” and suggest matching meals.

• Keeps the experience light and playful, ideal for driving social shares
• Helps you gather valuable insights about users’ preferences, which can be used for future personalization
• Creates an engaging touchpoint, especially when paired with personalized recommendations
   

Personality quizzes are a hit in lifestyle, food, and entertainment apps. They’re fun, easy to share, and a great way to encourage social engagement with your brand.

Conclusion

In the end, keeping users engaged is what really matters. Sure, getting them to download your app is important, but the real challenge is keeping them interested, excited, and coming back. The ideas we’ve covered aren’t just about boosting numbers — they’re about creating real connections with your users. When you offer personalized experiences, fun moments, and genuine reasons to stick around, your app becomes something they actually enjoy using.

A mix of traditional methods like SMS, push notifications, and emails still works, but combining those with newer formats like in-app stories is where you’ll see real magic happen. This blend helps you reach users wherever they are, keeping your app relevant and part of their daily routine.

What really drives engagement is consistency across all channels. Your users should feel like they’re getting a seamless experience, no matter where they interact with your brand. Whether it’s a push notification reminding them about an offer, an email providing personalized recommendations, or an in-app story introducing them to a new feature, these touchpoints need to work together seamlessly. This is where omnichannel strategies come into play, ensuring your messaging feels cohesive, regardless of the platform.

The apps that truly succeed are the ones that make users feel like more than just another number. So as you create your content, keep this in mind: the more value and creativity you bring to the table, the stronger the connection with your users will be. When users feel understood and valued, they’ll stick around – and that’s how you turn them into loyal fans.

This content is made possible by a guest author, or sponsor; it is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of App Developer Magazine’s editorial staff.