Achievements in Products: Yes or No?

Hey IndieHackers! I’m building migroot.io, a service designed to simplify and accelerate the process of gathering visa documents—eliminating the chance for procrastination and helping users stay on track.

Today, I want to dive into the topic of achievements in products—do you use them? And if so, how have they impacted your retention and engagement?

At first glance, it might seem counterproductive to add extra tasks or graphics when people just want to get their documents done as quickly as possible. But here’s what our users have shared with us:

“It’s way easier to feel like I’m making progress when I can complete smaller tasks, even if my documents are still in translation.”

“The whole experience is less stressful when it feels like I’m playing a game instead of working through a never-ending to-do list.”

“I’ll even open the product just to keep my streak going—feels satisfying to see my progress!”

So, do you use points, badges, or any other forms of gamification in your product? Have you noticed any impact on retention, engagement, or other key metrics?