UserTesting + Figma: Bridging design and feedback

One of the most exciting updates is UserTesting’s Figma integration—a game-changer for product designers and UX teams.

Now in beta with customers, the Figma plug-in allows users to launch usability tests without ever leaving the design environment.

“You just pop open a widget, type in what you want to test, and it runs the test and gives you results—without ever leaving Figma,” Mike explained. “That’s huge for people who have no research experience.”

This integration supports the growing trend of embedded insights—making customer feedback available exactly where teams need it, whether that’s in Figma, Jira, Confluence, or Miro. It’s not just about centralizing research anymore—it’s about making it seamless.

Building a customer insights platform for all

A recurring theme throughout the episode was the democratization of research—removing the gatekeeping that often slows down access to insights.

For Mike, that’s personal.

“When I was a customer, I was a product manager. I was not a researcher,” he said. “But I could still run tests, get insights, and make better decisions. Today, it’s even easier with templates, quick answers, and insight kits for different roles.”

The customer insights platform has evolved to support everyone—from marketers and designers to executives and engineers—with tools that match their comfort level and expertise.

Making insights visible, not buried

Think of customer insights like a flashlight in a dark room. If only a few people hold the flashlight, everyone else is left guessing. That’s why Mike is so passionate about spreading insights across teams.

“Democratizing research doesn't just mean more people running studies,” he said. “It means putting research everywhere—in a Figma board, in a Jira ticket, right where teams make decisions”.

He gave the example of adding a user feedback video clip directly to a design review, helping teams understand why a design needs to change, not just that it should.

This kind of visibility helps challenge internal assumptions and prevents what Mike calls “the Hippo problem”—decisions driven by the Highest Paid Person’s Opinion.

Speed without compromise

The final theme of the episode was speed. With AI test creation, automated analysis, and smarter workflows, teams can go from question to insight in hours—not weeks.

Mike described running four studies in one day, all completed in time for a related customer event that evening.

“I always like to put my money where my mouth is,” he said. “If I’m giving a presentation, I’ll run new studies that same day to show how fast it can be done”.

As 2026 approaches, the role of AI in user research isn’t about replacing human judgment—it’s about amplifying it. By making insights easier to access, faster to gather, and smarter to analyze, UserTesting is building a platform that empowers every team to work with confidence and empathy.

“We're not replacing human feedback in UserTesting, but when it comes to things like automated feedback and AI participants… they're really great for validating things right up front,” Mike said. 

That’s the future: human-centered insights, supported by intelligent tools, and accessible to all.