Discoverability in UX

See https://uxpsychology.substack.com/p/unlocking-features-the-importance

To fully grasp discoverability, it’s crucial to understand how it relates to and differs from other UX concepts:

Concepts related to discoverability

1. Learnability: While often discussed alongside discoverability, learnability is a distinct concept. Discoverability focuses on how easily users can find and recognise features or functionalities within a system, both during initial use and ongoing interaction. Learnability, as described by Grossman et al. (2009), refers to the ease with which users can understand how to use discovered features and become proficient with them over time. In essence, discoverability is about finding what’s possible, while learnability is about mastering what’s been found.

2. Communicability: Originating from Semiotic Engineering, de Souza et al. (2005) describe communicability as the system’s ability to convey its underlying design intent and interactive principles to users. Unlike discoverability, communicability presents a solely system-based approach and doesn’t focus on whether users actually perceive these principles.

3. Navigability: This concept relates to how easily users can move through a system. Norman (2013) describes it in terms of the clarity of what to do and where to go in an interface. While good navigability can aid discoverability, especially for features, it’s more focused on guiding users through known parts of a system rather than helping them discover new elements.

4. Findability: Findability is defined as the ease with which a particular object can be discovered or located (Morville, 2005). This concept assumes users are aware of and actively seeking specific functionality. Discoverability, however, includes both intentional searches and unintentional discoveries.

5. Guessability: This can be described as the user’s ability to infer how to interact with an interface based on prior knowledge or experience (Wobbrock et al., 2005) . While it can aid discoverability, guessability focuses solely on immediate perception rather than the entire discovery process.

6. Noticeability: This concept focuses on the likelihood of something capturing users’ attention, making them aware of its existence. In UX, noticeability is explored across various contexts, from mobile notifications to public displays and is influenced by factors such as visual properties, position, and timing of interface elements. Noticeability is a crucial first step in the discoverability process — for a feature to be discoverable, it must first be noticeable. However, high noticeability alone doesn’t guarantee discoverability; users must also comprehend the element’s function.

Improving discoverability

According to Mackamul et al. (2024) the following strategies have been identified for improving discoverability:

1. Written instructions: Clear, concise text near interface elements can guide users to discover features. For example, adding a small “Swipe for more options” label next to a carousel of items.

2. Gradual discovery: Introducing features progressively helps users discover functionality without feeling overwhelmed. Think of the way Slack reveals more advanced features as users engage with its basic features.

3. Subtle animation: Small movements can hint at interactive elements or additional content. For example, a slight bounce effect on icons to suggest they’re tappable, or a partial reveal of off-screen content to indicate scrolling is possible.

4. Universal GUI elements: Using familiar interface components aids recognition and discovery. Some examples of this are standard dropdown menus, radio buttons, or checkboxes that users readily understand.

5. Immediate feedback: Prompt responses to user actions encourage exploration and discovery. For example, a colour change or subtle sound when hovering over or tapping an interactive element.

6. Contextual cues: Providing relevant hints based on the user’s current task or system state. For example, suggesting related tools when a user selects an image in a document editor.

7. Depiction: Using visual representations, particularly icons, to communicate functionality. An example of this is using a camera icon to represent photo capture functionality, or a graphical representation of a gesture to indicate how to perform it.

8. Prioritisation: Emphasising important features to ensure their discovery, while de-emphasising less important ones. For example, making the ‘Send’ button in an email client more prominent than advanced formatting options.

It’s worth noting that these strategies’ effectiveness can vary based on the specific context and user needs. It’s important to balance discoverability with other design considerations, such as avoiding interface clutter

Measuring and evaluating discoverability

How can we measure and evaluate discoverability? One of the challenges highlighted by Mackamul et al. (2024) is the lack of standardised methods for this. However, several approaches can be used:

1. Think-aloud protocols: Have users verbalise their thoughts as they explore an interface.

2. Eye-tracking studies: Analyse where users look when trying to discover features.

3. A/B testing: Compare different design approaches to see which leads to better feature discovery.

4. Long-term usage analysis: Track feature usage over time to understand what users are (and aren’t) discovering.

5. Discount usability methods: Employ techniques like heuristic evaluation with a focus on discoverability.

Link : Squint Test