A "conversation starter" is something that helps begin a conversation or makes it easier for people to talk to each other. It could be a question, a joke, or a topic that grabs attention and gets people talking. Full definition
To that end, Happy Couple can share the API and provide access to content, including questions that serve as conversation starters for users and keep them engaged and returning to an app. (onlinepersonalswatch.com)
However, on a weekly basis, before everyone separated into groups, we investigated as a class how their posts could be used as conversation starters, but not as the conversation itself. (edutopia.org)
They also make for good conversation starters at the beginning of an interview. (pearlfishergroup.com)