Pendo or Walkme
What's new dialog
Under ReviewUpdated May 12, 2026
Description
- A what's new dialog is a series of templates hosted inside an in-product discovery tool. For example, Pendo or WalkMe.
- It opens when a user first logs in to the product, or when a new version of the product is released.
- It's useful for walking new customers through key features, or showcasing new product features to existing customers after an update.
Anatomy
Anatomy
Timing and frequency
- Decide when and how often the dialog should appear.
- Avoid overwhelming users with frequent updates.
Size
See information on Size in the dialog component.
Best practices
- Review the IPD tool's analytics before making any changes to the template.
- If the design is working, don't change it.
Dos and don'ts
Content guidelines
Define the purpose
- Be clear about what you want the dialog to do. Is it to inform users about new features, updates, or improvements?
- Front-load the benefit. Clearly explain the benefit to the user and what problem the update is solving right at the beginning of the dialog.
Content selection
- Highlight only the most important updates. Focus on features that add significant value to the user experience.
- Limit the number of updates. Aim for a maximum of 3 to 4 updates so the dialog remains concise and user-friendly.
- Use anchor navigation. Highlight and help users quickly jump to different features.
- Keep content succinct and useful. Aim for a character limit of 174 characters with a Learn more link, or 263 characters without a Learn more link.
Content design
- Keep the design clean and simple. Use headings and bullet points to make the information easy to digest.
- Include a clear and concise title, such as “What’s new”.
- Use engaging visuals:
- Use illustrations, screenshots, or short videos to visually represent the new features.
- For complex features, short animated GIFs or videos can be used to demonstrate functionality.
- Zoom in to static images of the UI to highlight a feature or part of the UI.
- Ensure the visuals are consistent with your product’s design language.
- Do not use photographs.
- Remember: the larger the file size, the longer it takes to download content.
- Use concise descriptions:
- Provide brief descriptions of each update.
- Highlight the benefits and how users can take advantage of the new features.
- Include a call to action, such as a Learn more link, if you have more info in your product page.
Feature content
- If your product uses what's new badges to highlight new features, include the badge in the image on the feature slide.
- Place media at the top of a feature slide. Use the sizes: 436 x 300 pixels.
What's new dialog content examples
| Use it for | Example content |
|---|---|
| New releaseIntroduction slide | Hi! Good news...Sage just got even better.Get familiar with exciting new features in the latest version of Sage xxx.Discover new features |
| OnboardingIntroduction slide | , dive in and get the most from Accounting.Accounting has everything you need, from saving you time and money, to taking care of your business.Take the tour now. You're only 1 click away from getting started! And don’t forget, if you need any extra help, it's easy to invite a bookkeeper or accountant to look over your books.[Next] [I will do this later] |
| New featuresFinal slide | Check out updates about this release, or bookmark for when you have time.View updates |
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| February 2025 | Changed from what's new "carousel" to what's new "dialog".Updated all the content images, added dos and don'ts section. |
| September 2024 | Copied information from In-Product discovery guide. |