AnswerLab was founded in 2004 in San Francisco by Amy Buckner Chowdhry. The company focuses exclusively on user experience research — they don’t design or build anything. Instead, they help organizations understand how real people interact with their products and services.
The research methods span the full spectrum: usability testing, ethnographic studies, diary studies, surveys, accessibility audits, and eye-tracking. AnswerLab works with clients across tech, financial services, healthcare, and retail. Their client list includes Google, Facebook, Amazon, Capital One, and Kaiser Permanente.
What sets AnswerLab apart is their specialization. While many agencies offer UX research as one service among many, AnswerLab has built their entire business around it. Their researchers have deep methodological expertise, and the company has developed proprietary frameworks for specific research scenarios.
The company has been a leader in inclusive research practices, ensuring that study participants represent diverse backgrounds, abilities, and demographics. Their work on accessibility research has influenced how major tech companies approach inclusive design.
AnswerLab operates labs in San Francisco, New York, and Austin, along with remote research capabilities that expanded significantly during the pandemic. The team of around 100 researchers and operations staff handles hundreds of studies per year.
Amy Buckner Chowdhry has been recognized as one of the most influential women in UX, and the company has received multiple “best places to work” awards in the Bay Area.
