Brits blighted by voice note fatigue as ‘quick’ messages cause chaos

Brits blighted by voice note fatigue as ‘quick’ messages cause chaos

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ALMOST HALF OF BRITS LISTEN TO NOTES T DOUBLE SPEED JUST TO GET THROUGH THEM FASTER, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH – AND THERE'S EVEN A SHORT FORM NAME FOR IT VNF ANDY GILPIN Deputy Editor


in Chief 11:00, 20 May 2025 It started as a quick and easy way to stay in touch but Brits are so fed up with voice notes that some even want to see them banned. As many as six in ten (62%)


claim they have experienced Voice Note Fatigue (VNF) with 44% listening to them at double speed just to get through them faster, according to new research. While length is an issue for one


in three, other frustrations include mumbling, filler words and multi-part voice note epics. Most people would like them capped at two minutes but 14% want them banned altogether, according


to the survey by Sky Mobile. Ironically, while most moan about receiving voice notes, we can’t stop sending them. Almost three quarters (73%) admit they love recording them, describing them


as quicker, more expressive, and easier than typing. Brits also use them because it’s easy to send a message hands-free (76%), they feel like a phone call without the pressure (68%) and are


more efficient (65%). Ben Case, managing director of connectivity at Sky, said: "Voice notes began as a quick shortcut, but now they're turning into podcasts! Article continues


below “Whichever way our customers choose to communicate, with Sky Mobile they'll enjoy flexible data plans and 99% coverage, so people can stay connected in a way that suits


them." THE VOICE NOTE ETIQUETTE GUIDE... DO KEEP IT BRIEF: Aim for a maximum of two minutes and remember people don’t have time for a podcast BE CLEAR AND TO THE POINT: Rambling and


filler worlds are major turn-offs. Get to the point quickly BE AWARE OF BACKGROUND NOISE: Nobody want to hear your dog barking or train announcements SPEAK CLEARLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY:


Muffled audio and monotone delivery make it hard to engage with your message DON’T SEND ENDLESS VOICE NOTE CHAINS: Multiple short messages create notification overload and can be frustrating


to listen to OVERUSE VOICE NOTES: While convenient, sometimes a quick text is all you need SEND OVERLY LONG VOICE NOTES: Anything over five minutes is pushing it! Article continues below


MONOLOGUE MESSAGE: Acknowledge the recipient and engage in a two-way conversation BE AFRAID TO SWITCH IT UP: Sometimes a phone call is the best way to connect and have a more engaging


conversation