Empty State Copy AI Ideas: Tips, Examples, and Best Practices

We all know that empty states can feel awkward or confusing, especially when dealing with AI tools like ChatGPT. Many folks worry their users might get lost or frustrated during those quiet moments.

Stick with me, and you’ll see how crafting friendly, engaging copy for these empty spots can make your AI feel more helpful and inviting. In the next few sentences, I’ll share some simple ideas and real examples to help you create messages that keep users engaged and smiling.

What is Empty State Copy for AI?

Empty state copy for AI refers to the messages or text shown when a user first opens an AI-powered tool or encounters a feature that has no content yet. It’s the message that fills the space before any user input or data appears, guiding users on what to do next. Think of it as the welcoming sign or initial prompt that helps users understand how to start interacting with the AI. This copy plays a role in setting expectations and easing users into the experience.

In AI interfaces, empty state messages often explain the purpose of the tool, encourage users to input their queries, or suggest ways to get started. For example, a chatbot landing screen might say, “Ask me anything about your favorite movies,” instead of just showing a blank box. This makes the user’s first experience less confusing and more inviting.

The main goal of empty state copy in AI is to improve user onboarding. Good messages tell users what they can do and motivate them to take action. They also reduce uncertainty, making AI tools feel more approachable and easier to use. In essence, it’s about turning potential confusion into clarity right from the moment someone opens the app or interface.

Why Good Empty State Copy Matters for Your AI Tools

Writing good empty state copy matters because it influences how quickly users understand the value of your AI tool. Clear, friendly messages encourage users to try the features and keep using the tool. If the empty state is dull or vague, users may feel lost or unsure, leading to frustration and abandonment.

When your AI onboarding involves engaging messages, it builds trust and guides users gently. Well-crafted empty state copy can also highlight what the AI can do or suggest prompts, making the experience smoother. This kind of messaging boosts user engagement and helps convert first-time visitors into regular users.

Another reason good empty state copy is crucial is that it influences user perceptions of your brand or product. If the initial messages are helpful and friendly, users are more likely to see your AI as useful and approachable. Conversely, boring or confusing empty states can make even the most powerful AI feel intimidating.

In addition, effective empty state messages can improve overall user retention by reducing confusion early on. When users know what to do next, they’re more likely to explore deeper features and stay engaged longer. So, investing in compelling empty state copy isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about setting the stage for better user experiences and happier users.

Prompt Ideas for Engaging AI Empty State Copy

Having great prompts ready to go makes creating effective empty state messages much easier. Here are some in-depth, actionable prompts you can copy and use immediately to generate compelling AI interface copy or prompts for your users:

1. Generate a friendly and inviting welcome message for a chatbot interface that encourages users to ask questions about travel planning.
   Prompt: “Write a warm, engaging greeting for a travel planning AI that invites users to ask about flights, hotels, and attractions.”
2. Create a set of 3 different empty state prompts for a writing assistant AI, each designed to motivate users to start writing or exploring topics.
   Prompt: “Provide three friendly, action-oriented empty state messages for a writing AI that inspire users to begin their essays or stories.”
3. Write a prompt that produces a series of prompts users can paste into ChatGPT for quick, in-depth data analysis.
   Prompt: “List five detailed ChatGPT prompts that help users analyze and interpret data sets, focusing on clear instructions and actionable insights.”
4. Develop prompts for generating prompts: Ask ChatGPT to create user-friendly instructions for beginners on how to start using an AI-powered note-taking app.
   Prompt: “Generate five simple, beginner-friendly prompts for new users to get started with an AI-based note-taking tool.”
5. Create prompts to help users brainstorm creative ideas for an AI writing tool’s empty state message that sounds approachable and fun.
   Prompt: “Suggest five playful and engaging empty state messages for an AI writing app aimed at encouraging users to start writing.”
6. Develop advanced, niche prompts for AI-powered research assistants, focusing on in-depth prompts that guide the AI to generate comprehensive summaries or insights.
   Prompt: “Write three detailed prompts that instruct ChatGPT to generate comprehensive summaries of scientific research articles.”
7. Craft prompts for customizing AI prompts for specific industries, like marketing or education, to help users craft industry-specific empty state messages.
   Prompt: “Create three prompts that help me generate industry-specific empty state copy for a marketing automation AI tool.”
8. Set up prompts that produce engaging onboarding prompts for users starting with a new AI project management tool.
   Prompt: “Generate five onboarding prompts to guide new users in efficiently starting their project management tasks with an AI tool.”

Using these prompts will give you a solid start on crafting clear, helpful, and inviting empty state messages. Copy the prompts directly into ChatGPT or similar tools to generate custom messages tailored to your AI tool’s style and audience. Remember, the key is to keep prompts specific enough to get detailed, human-like responses that boost user experience right from their first interaction.

Sample Prompts for Immediate Use

• “Write a friendly message encouraging users to ask about recipe ideas in a cooking assistant AI.”
• “Create five motivational prompts for users to get started with a language learning AI app.”
• “Generate an inviting empty state message for a mental health chatbot that suggests sharing feelings.”
• “Suggest three different onboarding prompts for a customer support AI platform.”
• “Provide detailed prompts to help users analyze their personal finance data with an AI tool.”

Feel free to tweak and modify these prompts based on your brand voice and user needs. These quick-to-copy prompts will help you create engaging and effective empty state copy for any AI interface, making your users feel welcomed and guided from the very first moment they start using your tool.

How to Test and Optimize Empty State Copy in Your AI Interface

Testing your empty state copy is essential to see what resonates best with your users and to make improvements over time. Start by creating multiple versions of your messages and then run A/B tests to compare their performance.

Use analytics tools to track metrics like user engagement, time spent on the screen, and the number of prompts submitted after different empty state messages appear. If a message encourages users to ask questions or explore features, check if these prompts result in higher interactions.

Gather user feedback directly by conducting quick surveys or asking for comments after onboarding or during initial use. Pay attention to patterns: do users seem confused or feel welcomed? Based on this data, refine the wording to make it clearer and more inviting.

Also, try testing different tones—formal versus friendly, humorous versus straightforward—to see what fits your brand voice and appeals most. Remember, small tweaks such as changing a call-to-action or rephrasing a prompt can make a big difference in how users respond.

Keep iterating and experimenting — the goal is to develop empty state copy that encourages users to stay engaged and explore all your AI has to offer.

Advanced Tips for Crafting Personalized Empty State Copy for Different AI Use Cases

Personalization is key—they are more likely to connect with messages that speak directly to their needs. For example, a writing AI for students might say, “Ready to start your essay? I can help you brainstorm ideas or organize your thoughts.”

Switch up your copy based on user context by analyzing their previous interactions or profile data. If a user has shown interest in marketing, tailor your message to say, “Looking for marketing strategies? Ask me how to boost your campaign.”

Use conditional logic to modify your empty state messages dynamically. For instance, if someone is new, your message could be “Hi! Just ask me your questions to get started.” If they’re returning, try “Welcome back! Ready to explore something new or pick up where you left off?”

Incorporate prompts that guide different user segments on how to get the most out of your AI. For example, “New here? Try asking me about your favorite hobby or what you want to learn today.”

Remember, the trick is to keep messages relevant, friendly, and specific so users feel like the AI really understands their needs right from the start.

Prompts to Generate Custom Empty State Messages for Different AI Apps

1. Generate a warm, friendly introduction message for a travel planning AI that encourages users to ask about flights, hotels, and attractions, tailored to first-time users.
   Prompt: “Create a welcoming greeting for a travel planning AI that invites new users to ask about flights, hotels, and local attractions, using friendly language.”
2. Suggest three engaging empty state prompts for a creative writing AI that motivate users to start writing stories, poems, or essays.
   Prompt: “Write three fun and motivating empty state messages for a creative writing AI, encouraging users to begin their projects with prompts about storytelling, poetry, or essays.”
3. Develop prompts that guide users to ask data analysis questions for an AI analytics tool, focusing on financial, marketing, or health data.
   Prompt: “List five detailed prompts that help users analyze financial, marketing, or health data with ChatGPT, including instructions for interpreting trends and insights.”
4. Generate beginner-friendly prompts for new users starting with an AI-powered note-taking app, explaining how to organize information or set reminders.
   Prompt: “Create five simple prompts for beginners to start using an AI note-taking app, covering how to create, edit, and organize notes.”
5. Write prompts to inspire playful, approachable empty state messages for a fun, casual AI writing app aimed at encouraging users to start writing stories or jokes.
   Prompt: “Suggest five playful prompts for fun AI writing app empty states, designed to make users smile and start creating stories, jokes, or poems.”
6. Draft niche prompts for AI research assistants to produce detailed summaries or insights about scientific papers or industry reports.
   Prompt: “Generate three prompts instructing ChatGPT to summarize scientific research articles or industry reports, highlighting key findings and implications.”
7. Create industry-specific prompts for crafting empty state messages tailored for marketing, education, or healthcare AI tools.
   Prompt: “Develop three prompts that help generate tailored empty state copy for AI tools in marketing, education, or healthcare, emphasizing clarity and relevance.”
8. Generate onboarding prompts for a new AI project management tool designed to help users plan, assign, and track tasks efficiently.
   Prompt: “Create five onboarding prompts that guide new users to start managing their projects, assigning tasks, and setting deadlines using an AI project management app.”

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