Evaluating Language: A Usability-First Approach
Learn how to evaluate language and design clear, purposeful language that improves user comprehension and encourages meaningful task completion.
In usability tests, I’ve often seen participants rapidly click “Next” or “Continue” without really processing the content in front of them. They’re focused on getting through it, not on understanding it.
When users are skipping past words, it’s a signal that the content or language may not be helping comprehension. Sometimes copy can be treated as an after-thought or worse, as filler. But in reality, it’s a critical part of the experience. It’s what guides users, clarifies choices, and sets expectations.
Evaluating language and content through a usability lens means not just asking:
“Did they complete the task?”
but
“Did they understand what they were doing?”
Here’s how to assess whether your product’s language is aiding comprehension
1. Clarity is kindness
Is your language clear the first time you read it, or does it require a second pass?
While copy that is in line with branding and tone of voice adds personality and can bring warmth, clarity must come first. Instructions, labels and especially error messages should be unambiguous and free of jargon.
Examples:
Poor direction:
“Let's get things rolling,”
Better direction:
“Start your application.”
2. Being Specific
Does your language support action and aid decision-making?
Words like “Next” or “Continue” are often too vague yet familiar enough for people to continue clicking without really stopping to think and absorb what's next, what are they continuing to, what are they agreeing to?
I’m sure we’ve all clicked on a button too quickly only to question what we just did or scream ‘No!’ at the screen.
Call to action (CTA) buttons and headings should reflect what the user is actually doing.
Example:
Vauge action:
“Continue”
Better actions:
“Review Order” or “Confirm Email Address.”
3. Scannability
You may have heard the phrase “users don’t read” as an explanation for what you might observe in usability testing or in heatmaps showing scrolling behaviour. While the reality is a lot more nuanced, what we often see is scanning behaviour.
Can your users understand key messages without having to read every word on the page? This doesn’t mean that words don’t matter because they do. A lot. It means that content should be optimised for how people scan.
Examples:
- Short sentences
- Plain language
- Meaningful headings
- Appropriate font sizes
- Bullet points for lists
4. Meaningful Microcopy
Are all those extra touches like tooltips and defaults actually helpful?
Microcopy can often be one of the most important aspects in helping a user or preventing user error. It should be helpful, clear and direct but on a much smaller scale than regular copy as it is often constrained by smaller character lengths.
When thinking about error messages in particular, microcopy that is too vague or too technical will cause confusion and won’t help users understand how to self-correct. If a user is going to fail, help them fail gracefully.
Example:
Poor error message:
"Enter valid credentials."
Better error message:
"Your password must include at least one number and one symbol."
5. Building trust
If a user doesn’t understand what you are trying to communicate, trust can be easily eroded.
When users are asked to do something that might be considered sensitive such as enter personal info, perform a financial transaction or agree to terms, language must be plain, clear and transparent.
Avoid using copy that is too vague or contains jargon like complex legal and technical terms.
Example:
Poor disclaimer:
“We may share your data”
Better discalimer:
“We share your data with shipping providers to complete your order.”
Conclusion
Language and words matter. They help clarify by being specific and meaningful. They build trust by being clear, direct and transparent. Once it’s all on the page, designing content for scanning helps users to identify what’s important.
Evaluating UX language through a usability lens means focusing on comprehension, not just completion. The goal is not to get users through the flow, it’s to make sure they feel confident that they understand the journey.
Need help?
If you’re new to usability evaluations or want expert input, we’d love to support you. Whether you're looking for advice or a full independent review, get in touch - we’re here to help make your product better.
