Please, don't send voice messages!

Voice message – an audio recording sent via messaging apps that forces the recipient to:

Listen at the sender's pace (can't skim)
Find a private place to listen
Replay multiple times to catch details
Can't search or reference the content later

— "I see, but what's wrong with these messages and why shouldn't I send them?"

— They are wasting time! Yours, and other people's who are trying to communicate with you! You're trying to be casual by sending a quick voice note, but you're actually being inconsiderate. Voice messages take 3-5x longer to consume than reading the same information as text.

When you send a voice message, you're forcing the recipient to stop what they're doing, find their headphones, find a quiet place, and listen to your rambling thoughts in real-time. Meanwhile, a text message can be read in seconds, skimmed for key points, and referenced later.

The same applies to messages like: "Hey, can you call me?", "I need to tell you something", "Listen to this voice note". Just type it out!

In addition, text messages are searchable, accessible, and asynchronous. If someone needs to find that address you sent, they can search for it. If they're in a meeting, they can read it silently. If they're deaf or hard of hearing, they can actually receive your message.

When are voice messages acceptable?

  • ✓When explicitly requested by the recipient
  • ✓For emotional or personal messages where tone matters (condolences, celebrations)
  • ✓When you're genuinely unable to type (driving, hands full)
  • ✓In close relationships where both parties prefer this communication style