Noninformational

Noninformational is an adjective used to describe content, data, signals, or materials that do not convey substantive information about a topic, state, or process. It stands in contrast to informational content that reduces uncertainty or contributes knowledge. Noninformational items may still be purposeful, aesthetic, or functional, but they do not provide data that helps identify, measure, or explain an external reality.

In information theory, noninformational content can be associated with noise or other signals that have little mutual information with the variable of interest; such signals affect transmission and perception but carry minimal relevant information. The concept is used to separate informative components from background or random components.

In media studies and journalism, noninformational material includes entertainment, lifestyle features, or decorative elements that are not intended to inform about a specific topic. In design and user experience, noninformational cues—such as color, typography, animation, or layout—serve aesthetics or usability rather than content delivery.

Examples include decorative graphics on a webpage, background music in a video, filler text, or mood-setting imagery. While noninformational, such elements can influence engagement, perception, and accessibility, and are therefore evaluated alongside informational content in design and communications.

See also: information, noise, data, mutual information.