How to make your LMS feel like Netflix: Five UX patterns that improve discovery and retention

Most learning platforms make discovery harder than it needs to be.They’re built around menus, lists, and rigid structures that slow learners down and make discovery harder than it should be. Meanwhile, Netflix and other streaming services have shaped expectations in the opposite direction. People are used to fast scanning, clear signals, and an experience that quietly adjusts itself in the background.

If you want engagement to rise, start by borrowing the habits learners already have. These five principles offer a practical way to bring that behaviour into your platform.

Let learners browse, not hunt

People make choices by skimming. That’s why Netflix presents options in visual rows that help you understand the landscape of content in seconds. It’s simple, but it’s the reason users can navigate such huge libraries without feeling overwhelmed.

The same logic applies to a learning platform. Replacing a flat, linear catalog with a browsable home screen gives people a chance to see the shape of what’s available before they decide. Use clear labels, consistent thumbnails, and purposeful groupings so the page reads like a map rather than a list. When learners can take everything in at a glance, they move faster and explore more.

Build shelves around real behaviour

Netflix doesn’t create categories for the sake of structure. It uses the signals people naturally produce like what they started, what they returned to, and what people in similar roles or contexts tend to choose. These patterns are enough to shape meaningful recommendations without drifting into anything that feels intrusive.

A learning platform already has the same signals available. Progress, enrolments, return visits, and common interest areas can all be used to organise content in a way that feels immediately relevant. When a learner opens the home screen and sees things that reflect how they actually work, they don’t waste time searching for their next step.

Prioritise previews over commitment

People don’t press play on Netflix without a clear sense of what they’re getting. Thumbnails, short summaries, and quick previews reduce uncertainty and help them decide with confidence. Most LMS catalogs offer none of that. They rely on titles and hope that’s enough to encourage a learner to dive in.

Give people a clearer view of the value before they commit. A short summary, a structured module outline, or even a single preview clip can make the decision much easier. These elements don’t need to be elaborate. They simply need to help the learner understand what they’re signing up for. When that uncertainty disappears, start rates usually rise.

Keep the experience personal without being intrusive

Part of what makes Netflix feel intuitive is the quiet personalisation happening behind the scenes. It doesn’t ask users to configure anything or provide personal details. It just uses what’s already there to present the right options at the right time.

Learning platforms can take the same approach. Ordering shelves by progress, surfacing content that aligns with previous activity, and highlighting recently visited areas all make the experience feel tuned to the individual without crossing privacy lines. The goal is to create relevance that helps learners stay oriented.

Remove the dead ends

One of Netflix’s most effective habits is that it never leaves people at a standstill. When something ends, another meaningful next step appears automatically. It keeps momentum going and reduces the friction of deciding what to do next.

Most LMSs do the opposite. When a learner completes a lesson or course, they’re dropped back into a catalog with no guidance. Designing a clear next step into every completion screen changes that dynamic entirely. If someone is halfway through a path, guide them forward. If they’ve finished something standalone, offer a related skill or topic. Progress feels easier when the platform shows what comes next.

Where to start

You don’t need to redesign the entire platform to see the impact. The biggest shift comes from rethinking the home screen. Moving from a static list to browsable shelves gives the rest of the experience room to evolve. It sets expectations, reduces effort, and makes every other change feel intuitive.

Make the platform feel more like the apps learners already understand. Reduce the work it takes to choose. And stop expecting people to wrestle with interfaces they’d never tolerate elsewhere.