Learn to Identify Signs of Information Architecture Problems
As a UX researcher, it's often easy to determine why someone is having difficulty using a digital product, such as a cluttered screen or unclear copy. However, when the issue is related to flawed information architecture (IA), the warning signs can be more challenging to identify. IA refers to how content is categorized and labeled, and problems with it can impact the user's experience holistically. Here are five behaviors to look for in usability research that could indicate problems with the product's IA:
- Driving in circles: When users unintentionally visit the same page multiple times via different routes, they haven't formed a mental map of the content's organization, preventing them from moving efficiently through the product.
- Navigating in place: Users repeatedly clicking on a link to the page they are already on indicates that they are not oriented within the overall structure, and the link label may be faulty or the content itself missing the mark.
- Heading for home: When users abandon their chosen path and head back to the home screen to try again, it suggests that they have lost faith in their ability to navigate the product effectively.
- Getting half credit: Users assuming they have found all relevant content after finding some information on their topic of interest suggests that related information may not be consolidated, causing them to stop searching prematurely.
- Bet you can't do that again! Users struggling to complete a task before ultimately succeeding may indicate IA issues. Asking them to do it again after a break or distraction can reveal whether they have internalized the product's structure.
If you notice any of these behaviors during usability research, it's important to adjust the design to better meet users' needs. Since IA issues can lead to confusion and frustration throughout the experience, UX researchers should be aware of these warning signs and address them early on.
