The Evolution and Role of User Research in Internet Companies

From the transition of market research firms to internet‑side user research, the article observes that the user research position lacks clear performance standards and understanding within many companies, prompting a need to define its role and methodology.

Stage One: Software Development without a Design Team – In early software, the market department initiated requirements which were handed to developers; products were technical tools used only by professionals, with no ordinary user interface.

Stage Two: Proliferation of Computers and GUIs – As computers became widespread and graphical interfaces appeared, software shifted from B2B to B2C, competition increased, and design teams began to package products, introducing the concept of user experience.

Stage Three: Design‑First and Introduction of Testing Teams – Design was moved earlier in the process, development tasks were split into programming and testing, reducing bugs and improving usability; products became more user‑friendly but still focused mainly on interface design.

Stage Four: User‑Centred Design Era – Design importance surged; design teams now lead product development based on user insights, incorporating usability testing and continuous feedback, solidifying the user research role with responsibilities in demand insight, usability testing, and experience analysis.

The article then links the emergence of user research to its roots in market research, noting that many user‑research methods are adaptations of traditional market‑research techniques such as surveys and focus groups.

Historical context shows market research predates user research, with early pioneers like Arthur Nielsen and Philip Kotler establishing the field; user experience terminology emerged in the 1990s with Donald Norman, and Chinese internet companies began formal user‑research units around 2006.

It explains that market research encompasses user research, and that while market research focuses on what people will buy, user experience research delves into how people feel when using a product, seeking deep, specific insights.

Finally, the article notes that modern internet‑company user research has expanded beyond pure UX to intersect with broader market research, aiming to drive business impact and strategic market support.