Unlocking Visitor Engagement: The Impact of Interactive Media in Museum Apps

Downloads and take-up rates are the numbers digital projects usually get measured by. But the real value of a mobile guide shows up after the app is on a visitor's device — in how deeply, and for how long, people actually use it. Our experience over time has underscored a significant insight: engagement levels soar when the digital experience is enriched with dynamic interactive elements and multimedia content.

Roughly seven in ten of the institutions in our documented project record — 30 of 41 — have interactive content in what we built for them. By interactive content, we mean multimedia that is user-friendly and cohesive — using technologies like beacons or location-based navigation, and incorporating elements like augmented reality and gamified learning experiences, such as scavenger hunts.

Here's what we've learned

• Augmented reality boosts engagement: Visitors significantly increase their in-app activity when exploring exhibits through augmented reality features.
• Proximity-powered audio guides: More audio content is consumed when delivered through beacons or geo-location, offering visitors tailored information right when and where it's most relevant.
• Diverse interactions, deeper engagement: Incorporating a mix of interactive elements, such as audio narratives, scavenger hunts, and augmented reality, encourages visitors to spend more time in-app, enriching their learning and exploration.
• Navigate and interact with ease: Features like wayfinding guide visitors seamlessly through exhibits and enhance their in-app engagement by adding a practical layer to the interactive experience.

None of this is technology for its own sake. The point of interactive content is to deepen the connection between visitors and the collection in front of them — not to compete with it.

Learn more about our interactive content features