11 Examples of Announcement Modals - with a practical guide

What is a modal in UI/UX design?

In simple terms, a modal is a pop-up window that demands attention. 💥

But don’t let the word "demand" scare you—when done right, modals are a key part of great user experiences. 

Whether you’re dealing with UI elements in general or focusing on announcement UI modals specifically, they’re all about delivering important info in a way that users can't overlook (but without making them want to throw their device across the room). 

You see them in new user onboarding flows, feature announcements, urgent updates—the list goes on.

And in just a bit, I’m going to introduce you to the most common use cases of announcement modals, so stick around!

Common Use Cases of Announcement Modals

1- New User Onboarding

Starting something new can be a bit overwhelming, right? 

That’s why new user onboarding modals are such a lifesaver. 

They give your users the right info at the right time without bombarding them. 

You can think of these modals as a friendly guide showing users how things work—no pressure, just help when it’s needed.

2- Tutorial Walkthroughs

You know those times when you’re stuck and could really use a step-by-step guide? 

Tutorial walkthrough modals are perfect for that. 

They break down complex features into easy-to-digest instructions and make sure no one gets left behind. It’s like having an invisible mentor sitting right next to you as you learn.

3- Announcing New Features

Got a shiny new feature to show off? 

Let your users know with a well-placed announcement modal. 

These modals are great for quickly catching your users’ attention and saying, “Hey, check this out!” 

Without interrupting their flow too much, you’re keeping them in the loop about what's new.

4- Product Launch

Launching a new product? 

That’s a big deal. 

Announcement modals can give your users a heads-up that something exciting is about to drop. 

It’s like sending out an invitation to an exclusive event—you want them to feel excited and in-the-know before anyone else.

5- Urgent Notifications

Urgency is everything when it comes to things like security alerts or major updates. 

Your users need to know, and they need to know now. 

This is where urgent notification modals come in. Clear, direct, and timely—they deliver the info without causing unnecessary panic.

6- Limited-Time Offers

Everyone loves a good deal, right? 

Limited-time offer modals can make sure your users don’t miss out on special promotions. 

But remember, the trick is to create a sense of urgency without being overly pushy. If you get the balance right, these modals can be powerful conversion tools.

7- Informational Updates

Sometimes you just need to give users a heads-up about something that’s not super urgent but still important—like system maintenance or a new policy. 

Informational update modals help you communicate these changes clearly without overwhelming your audience.

8- Survey Invitations

Want feedback?

Just ask! 

Survey invitation modals can be a gentle nudge, encouraging users to share their thoughts. 

Done well, they’re unobtrusive and easy to dismiss if users aren’t in the mood, but they also make it clear that you care about what they have to say.

9- Community Announcements

If you’re part of a product or app that relies on community interaction, these modals can be gold. 

Whether you’re promoting events, sharing community milestones, or encouraging participation in a forum, community announcement modals keep everyone in the loop and build a stronger sense of connection.

Best Practices For Using Announcement Modals

1- Finding Optimal Time To Display The Modal

Timing is everything when it comes to modals. 

Show one too early, and users might get frustrated. 

Wait too long, and they could miss crucial info. 

The key is finding that sweet spot—when your users are most likely to be receptive to the message. 

Whether it’s during onboarding, after they've completed a key action, or just before they leave the page, understanding user behavior is crucial for this.

2- Create Relevant Content For Different Segments

Not all users are created equal, and your modals shouldn’t treat them that way. 

Tailoring your message to different user segments ensures that the content feels personal and relevant. 

This is where UserGuiding’s segmentation feature comes in handy. 

By targeting specific user groups based on their behavior, preferences, or lifecycle stage, you can show them the exact information they need—no more, no less. 

Personalized experiences lead to higher engagement and happier users.

3- Add Clear Call-To-Actions To Announcement Modals

Every modal needs a purpose, and a good one always includes a clear call-to-action (CTA). 

Whether you're guiding users to a new feature, asking them to complete a survey, or notifying them about an update, the CTA should stand out and be easy to understand. 

Keep it direct, and make sure users know exactly what you want them to do next—whether it’s clicking a button or exploring more info.

4- Avoid Confusion Opting For Minimalism

When in doubt, simplify. 

The best modals are often the ones that get to the point quickly and don’t overwhelm users with too much info. 

A clean, minimalist design not only makes your announcement more visually appealing but also helps users focus on the key message. 

Keep distractions to a minimum, and ensure there’s a clear hierarchy in your content—users should be able to grasp the main idea in just a few seconds.

5- Run A/B Tests To Optimize Your Announcement Modals

Don’t just guess what will work—test it! 

A/B testing lets you compare different versions of your modals to see which one resonates best with users. 

Maybe it’s a change in color, a different CTA, or even when the modal is displayed. 

By continuously testing and tweaking, you’ll find the most effective combination that drives engagement and achieves your goals.

11 Inspiring Examples of Announcement Modals

1- Airbnb’s New User Onboarding Modal

Airbnb’s onboarding process greets new users with a modal that highlights the most critical features of the platform. 

The modal isn’t overwhelming—just a simple welcome with a clear CTA to explore listings or learn more about being a host. 

By opting for minimalism and showing it at the perfect moment (right after account creation), it sets users up for success without overloading them with information.

2- Slack’s Tutorial Walkthrough Modals

When you first join Slack, you’re introduced to tutorial walkthroughs via modals. 

These step-by-step guides pop up at just the right times to show users how to send messages, create channels, and integrate apps. 

The content is relevant to new users, and the design is clean, with an obvious CTA guiding users through the process. 

Slack also segments these tutorials based on user roles, ensuring that admins and regular team members see what’s most relevant to them.

3- Notion’s Feature Announcement Modals

Notion uses announcement modals effectively to introduce new features to its users. 

Whenever a major update is released, you’ll see a modal that gives you a brief overview of what’s new, along with a CTA to try the feature out immediately. 

Notion also customizes the modal content based on the type of workspace you’re using, making sure that users only see announcements that are relevant to their specific workflow.

4- Dropbox’s Product Launch Modals

When Dropbox introduced its new "Spaces" feature, it used a sleek, non-intrusive modal to announce the launch. 

The modal appeared after users had logged in, showing a quick summary of what the new product did and how it could enhance their collaboration. 

The CTA was straightforward: “Try Spaces Now,” leading users directly to the new product page. 

The timing and relevance of the modal helped drive curiosity and engagement without interrupting the user flow.

5- Facebook’s Announcement Modal

Facebook has used announcement modals to inform users of urgent privacy or security updates. 

These modals take priority, appearing as soon as users log in. 

The language is clear, direct, and to the point, ensuring that users understand the gravity of the notification. 

6-  Amazon’s Limited-Time Offer Modal

Amazon often uses limited-time offer modals during major sales events like Prime Day. 

These modals appear just as you’re browsing or about to leave the page, offering an exclusive deal that’s only available for a few hours. 

The CTAs are clear—“Shop Now” or “Claim Your Deal”—and the urgency is heightened with a countdown timer, prompting immediate action. 

The timing, simplicity, and urgency combine to create a highly effective sales driver.

7- Spotify’s Informational Update Modal

Spotify uses modals to inform users about changes to its privacy policy or terms of service. 

These modals are direct and unintrusive, with a link to read the full policy and a CTA like “Got it” to confirm understanding. 

The simple, minimal design ensures that users can easily dismiss the modal after reading the essential information, without any distractions.

8. SurveyMonkey’s Survey Invitation Modal

SurveyMonkey encourages feedback through well-placed survey invitation modals. 

These modals appear after users have completed a certain task, asking them for feedback in a non-intrusive way. 

By showing the invitation at the right moment and keeping the design simple, they increase the likelihood of getting responses.

9. Buffer’s Social Media Updates Modal

Buffer, a social media management tool, uses modals to inform users about new social platform integrations or feature updates. 

For instance, when they introduced TikTok scheduling, a modal popped up to announce the new integration. 

The modal contained a quick explanation and a clear CTA—“Start Scheduling on TikTok”—allowing users to instantly try out the new feature. 

This timing and direct action step made the modal both informative and actionable.

10. Calendly’s Update Modal for New Scheduling Options

Calendly often introduces new scheduling features via announcement modals. 

For example, when they rolled out features like buffer times or meeting availability windows, users were greeted with a simple modal explaining the update. 

The modal usually appears right after logging in and provides an actionable CTA, such as “Update your settings” or “Try it now,” so users can immediately take advantage of the new functionality.

11. Canva’s New Tool Announcement Modals

Canva frequently uses modals to announce new design tools or templates. 

When they launched a new background remover tool, for instance, a modal appeared upon opening the design dashboard. 

The modal included a simple explanation of how the tool works, along with a CTA like “Try Background Remover Now.” 

The focus was on immediately allowing users to try out the new feature, which makes the announcement both exciting and ✨practical.✨

Conclusion 

Announcement modals can make or break your user engagement strategy. 

When done right, they inform without overwhelming, driving users to take meaningful action. 

From personalized experiences to clear CTAs, the key lies in timing, design, and relevance. 

Remember, tools like yours truly, UserGuiding, allow you to craft targeted, customized modals that speak directly to your users' needs. 

Ready to take your modals to the next level? Start experimenting with the examples and tips shared here, and see the difference it makes!