Tabtargeting

Tabtargeting is a user interface design principle that involves highlighting a component when it is clickable, allowing users to visually understand which elements they can interact with. This technique relies on subtle, descriptive visual cues to guide users' attention and decision-making.

The term "tabtargeting" specifically refers to the use of tabs or areas with depressed or highlighted styles to draw attention to clickable components within an application or website. This design pattern is often used in tabbed interfaces, menus, and dialog boxes where multiple options are presented to the user.

Effective tabtargeting involves striking a balance between being attention-grabbing and non-obtrusive. If the highlighting is too loud or jarring, it may draw attention away from the primary content or overwhelm the user. Conversely, too subtle a cue may fail to convey the interactive nature of the component.

Designers use tabtargeting to facilitate discovery, reduce cognitive overload, and promote user engagement. By soon and prominently identifying interactive elements, tabtargeting encourages users to click and explore an interface more naturally.

In web design and user experience (UX) research, tabtargeting is widely discussed as an essential aspect of user-centered design. It is often combined with other behavioral design methods, such as formulization and affordance.