Powering smarter research: what the UserTesting acquisition of User Interviews signals for UX research

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3LR63bd

Episode summary:

In this special episode, guest host Kate Towsey—ResearchOps thought leader and founder of the Cha-Cha Club—sits down with Baran Erkel, Chief Strategy Officer at UserTesting, and Basel Fakhoury, CEO and co-founder of User Interviews, to unpack the recent acquisition of User Interviews by UserTesting.

Together, they dive into the strategy, vision, and community impact behind the merger, addressing head-on the questions and emotions stirred within the UX and research communities. 

Listeners will gain insight into why now was the right time, what the future holds for both platforms, and how this partnership aims to strengthen the researcher-first values that User Interviews is known for.

Whether you're part of a large enterprise or a one-person research team, this episode sheds light on how the two companies plan to maintain openness, improve integration, enhance tools like Research Hub, and invest in a future where research plays a central role in shaping customer experiences.

Key topics discussed:

• Why UserTesting acquired User Interviews and what it means for researchers

• How the platforms will remain open, flexible, and independently accessible

• Future investments in Research Hub and panel innovation

• Ensuring a positive experience for participants remains a priority

• The evolving role of research in an AI-driven future

• What researchers—from solo practitioners to large teams—can expect going forward

• Lessons from past acquisitions and why humility and customer-centricity matter

Resources & links

• Kate Towsey on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katetowsey/)

• Baran Erkel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/baranerkel/)

• Basel Fakhoury on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/baselfakhoury/)

• Kate’s book Research that Scales (https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/research-that-scales/)

• Kate’s website (https://katetowsey.com/)

• Press Release about the acquisition of User Interviews (https://www.usertesting.com/company/newsroom/press-releases/usertesting-acquires-user-interviews)

• Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/)

• Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast