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Participating in a LiveShare moderated research session: Desktop/Laptop computer
Participating in a LiveShare moderated research session: Desktop/Laptop computer

LiveShare guide for participants on desktop or laptop computers

Russ Troester avatar
Written by Russ Troester
Updated over 3 months ago

In a remote, live research session, you'll be able to see and speak to the researcher. The researcher will be able to see you, hear you, and observe your screen throughout the duration of the session. The goal of these sessions is to provide your honest perspective and feedback on their app, website, prototype, content, etc.

First things first

  • We’re going to be chatting with you using a web conferencing platform using your web browser

  • Compatibility. Make sure you use a compatible device & operating system. Click here for a full list of supported operating systems and browsers.
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  • Strong, stable wifi. Make sure you're on a strong WiFi connection with a download speed of at least 5Mbps.

15 minutes before the scheduled time

  1. Headset with a microphone. A microphone is required to participate in a Lookback session. While a built-in microphone will work, we strongly recommend using a headset with a microphone to reduce risk of bad audio, echo issues in the recording, etc. A wired headset is preferred for the best reliability, but a wireless one will work as well. Just make sure the headset has a built-in microphone.

  2. Be undisturbed. Find a quiet, comfortable spot to conduct the test

  3. Participant Link. Read the communication from the Researcher, locate and open the [Test URL] in one of the supported browsers. It should look something like:
    ​https://participate.lookback.io/alpahnumeric-code?live

Starting Your Session

When you're ready to start your session, all you'll need is a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave) and to follow a few setup steps.
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Click on the Participant Link

  1. Read the communication from the Researcher, then locate and open the Participant Link sent by the researcher. It should look something like this:
    ​https://participate.lookback.io/[alpahnumeric-code]

  2. After clicking on the Participant Link, you may see a Welcome message from your researcher. Read carefully and then click Get started when you're ready to proceed.

    Please note: By continuing, you agree to record and upload your experience. Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy are available for you to review.

If you see Install extension, that means you need to be using our Chrome extension. Please see this help article for setup instructions using this method.

Grab a headset

A microphone is required to participate in an unmoderated study using Lookback. Furthermore, as noted previously, while a headset is not required, it is recommended to help reduce any feedback or echo.

Session Setup

There are 4 steps to complete in the setup process

  1. About me: You'll now be prompted to enter your name and email address
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    ​Please Note: Lookback doesn't use this info. It just goes straight to the Researcher once you complete the session.


    ​Anonymity. If the Researcher doesn't require you to share your real information, and it's ok with them to use an alias/fake e-mail, just get creative and make something up! The email address only needs to follow the standard email address format: email@email.com If you're not sure whether or not you can use a fake name/email, please reach out to the researcher who recruited you for the study.

  2. My cam & mic: In this step, you enable your camera & microphone by first allowing your browser to access your system cameras & microphones. Click Allow in the permissions window.
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    1. Select your camera: Depending on the settings of the study, the camera may be set to Optional, Required, or Disabled

      1. Optional. If the researcher has chosen this option, you'll see Optional displayed in your camera feed and you'll be able proceed regardless if the Camera is turned on or not. If you don't want to enable the camera, you can just choose Camera off

      2. Required. If you try to select Camera off and can't click Next, this means the researcher has required the use of the camera and you will not be able to proceed until you enable the camera.

      3. Disabled. If the camera is set to disabled, you will not be prompted to enable your camera

    2. Microphone: If you are using a headset, make sure it is connected properly and then choose a microphone from the dropdown menu. A microphone is required and you won't be able to continue without enabling it. If you run into issues enabling your microphone or camera, you should be directed to this help article for troubleshooting.


    Once you've selected your camera & microphone, click the Next button to proceed
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  3. Share my screen: Since the main aim of the test is for the researcher to observe how you interact with their website/app/prototype, screen sharing is required for all unmoderated tests. Don't worry, the researcher can't control anything on your screen, this only allows them to see and record what's displayed on your screen.

    Please note: everything on your screen will be recorded so be careful to not display any sensitive information on your screen for the duration of the test.

    1. Click on the Open screen share pop-up button in the panel on the right

    2. In the window that pops up, click on the thumbnail of the screen you want to share (even if you only have one screen - you still need to select it to proceed)​

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    3. After you've selected your screen, click on Share


      🚀 If you're using a Mac and this is the first time you've enabled screen sharing for Chrome, you will be prompted to allow permissions in System Preferences and then you'll have to quit and restart Chrome. Once that's done, open your Participant Link again and you'll start at the beginning of the setup.
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      If you run into issues while trying to share your screen, please see this help article for troubleshooting steps.

    4. Click Open session window to open the floating, picture-in-picture window

  4. Finish setup: in the floating window that's popped up, click Start session

❗ Please make sure to keep this floating window open at all times. If it is in the way, you can move it and / or resize it:

Starting the Session

Now you should see the message, We're waiting for the other party to join in your setup window.

Meanwhile on the moderator's side, they'll be notified that you are ready to start your session. After they've completed their setup, they'll "call" you through Lookback. Simply click Accept and you'll be connected to the moderator and your session will begin!

Time to test!

Now you'll be connected to the researcher and see them on your screen. If your camera was enabled during setup, they'll be able to see you as well and now your session has officially begun!
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If you are asked to test a Desktop App, just navigate away from the Chrome window to that app. Please make sure you keep the Chrome windows open otherwise you will end the session early.

Ending your session

  1. Your researcher will typically end the session from their side, but if you need to end it from your side, click the red X button in the controls and then End session one final time to confirm.

  2. Now you should see the the Researcher's Final message. Read carefully as they may have a post-study survey or instructions about getting any potential incentives.

  3. Once you've read the Final message, your study is now complete and you can click the Close button.

Bravo! Thanks for taking the time to participate in the session. 🌟

You can now close any other windows or apps associated with the test.

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