What are the issues with tooltip UX and when should I avoid it?
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Tooltips are often missed, require effort to access, and can obstruct key data, leading to accessibility challenges on various devices.
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Skip tooltips for essential information visibility, mobile interfaces, and complex tasks needing detailed data.
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Use inline text, toggles, icon+text combos, and pop-ups as tooltip alternatives for clearer, accessible user guidance.
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Focus tooltips UX on relevance, limit use, ensure clarity, and align with your app's design.
Deep dive
Effective tooltip UX helps users by providing quick, useful information. However, if not implemented carefully, it can cause more confusion than clarity.
Why aren't tooltips always the best choice?
1. Might be hard to notice
In busy interfaces, tooltips can be easily overlooked, potentially leading to users missing out on valuable insights or details
2. Require additional effort
Many interfaces require users to hover over input fields to access validation messages or additional data entry instructions, which can slow down the process of entering detailed information.
For example, error explanations in Microsoft Excel are only accessible by pressing the cell and then hovering over the icon.
3. Obscure important screen elements
Tooltips can inadvertently cover critical data points, such as chart labels or KPIs, making it difficult for users to interpret and analyze data efficiently.
4. Cropped in smaller screens
On smaller devices, tooltips may be partially displayed or entirely hidden, leading to incomplete information delivery.
5. Have accessibility barriers
UX of hover tooltips for users on touch devices or those relying on keyboard or voice navigation might be challenging. For example, users might accidentally trigger or miss tooltips, leading to potential frustration.
When to avoid tooltips UX design?
When information needs to be easily accessible
Important updates, such as status changes, should be clearly visible on sales dashboards without the need for tooltips.
In mobile use
Since hovering is not an option on mobile devices, software should rely on tap interactions, long presses, and contextual pop-ups to deliver a mobile-friendly experience.
What to use instead of a tooltip?
Consider these tooltip alternatives:
- Inline text: Place important details directly next to interface elements to ensure users can quickly understand information at a glance.
Instead of:
You can do:
- Toggle components: Implement expandable sections to provide additional information without cluttering the main view, ideal for complex forms or detailed data entries.
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Icon + text: Use icons with brief labels to facilitate rapid navigation, particularly useful in toolbars or settings menus where users need to identify features quickly.
Instead of:
You can do:
- Pop-up windows: Provide detailed information in pop-up windows when more context is required, such as explaining advanced settings or displaying help content.
How to prevent tooltips from looking spammy?
Focus on relevance
Instead of using tooltips to describe basic buttons like "Submit" or "Cancel," reserve them for complex features, such as explaining unique filters on a data analytics tool.
Keep it limited
Avoid placing tooltips on every element. Focus on areas where users typically seek guidance, such as newly added features. For instance, if you introduce a new data visualization type in a dashboard, provide a tooltip that explains how it differs from existing charts.
Be clear
Ensure the text is straightforward. Instead of a vague description like "Adjust appearance," use direct language such as "Switch between light and dark mode" to quickly convey the specific action.
Stay consistent
Match tooltips with your application’s design, ensure they have a similar look and feel.
❓Questions designers should ask themselves
By asking the right questions, designers can question their decisions, find areas to improve, make sure nothing is overlooked, and reduce mistakes, leading to better, more thoughtful designs.
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Is the tooltip necessary for understanding a feature?
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Can users work efficiently without it?
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Does the tooltip help or hinder the user’s workflow?
💡 Methodologies
These methodologies will make your job easier and more effective.
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Lean UX: Lean UX focuses on rapid experimentation and iteration. By applying Lean UX principles, you can efficiently test whether tooltips enhance the user experience. Start with a basic version, gather user feedback, and refine design iteratively.
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User Story Mapping: This technique involves outlining the user's journey through your product to identify where additional guidance is necessary. By mapping out user interactions, you can pinpoint moments where tooltips could improve understanding and streamline the experience.
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A/B testing: A/B testing allows you to compare different tooltip designs and placements. By evaluating these variations, you can determine which designs best enhance user interaction and comprehension without disrupting their workflow.
🛠️ Useful tools
These tools will make your job easier and more effective.
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UserTesting: Get feedback on tooltip use and explore better alternatives for various software applications.
🤝 Credits
Our content combines the knowledge of Cieden’s designers with insights from industry influencers. Big thanks to all the influencers for sharing awesome content!
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The problem with tooltips and what to do instead by Adam Silver
📚 Keep exploring
Never stop growing. Explore resources thoughtfully handpicked by Cieden’s designers.