Effort: Low
What to notice
Let people try first and open hints only where needed.
Where it fits
- Fits
- Novices and experienced users sharing the same task interface.
- Use it when
- When targeted introductory and detailed help can be provided.
- Avoid it when
- When opening help is the only way to see essential conditions.
How to build it
- Place a descriptively labeled hint near its task.
- Disclose a small cue before a fuller example.
- Preserve input and position when help opens.
Measure
- Main metric
- Share of eligible users completing the task with optional help
- Guardrail
- Failure to find help and experienced-user task time
- How to measure
- Allocate comparison groups before exposure and use equal follow-up and eligibility. Track Share of eligible users completing the task with optional help alongside Failure to find help and experienced-user task time.
When it backfires
Never hide essential prices or consent terms inside hints.
Alternatives
Theory behind it
Cognitive load
Searching for a procedure can consume resources needed for learning.
Limited evidence
Meaningful choice
Choice can support motivation, with effects depending on what is chosen and under which conditions.
Well supported
Evidence limits: An editorial web application; conversion effects on this interface are unmeasured. Do not turn an average meta-analytic result into an optimal option count or conversion forecast. Avoid illusory choice and unwanted profiling.