hjelpelinker

Hjelpelinker is a term used in Norwegian-speaking discussions of digital accessibility to describe a user interface element that provides contextual, easily accessible links to help resources and support. Etymologically, it combines hjelpe, meaning to help, with linker, borrowed from English, reflecting its function as a small set of assistance links connected to content.

The concept aims to improve navigability and reduce user friction by surfacing tutorials, glossaries, contact options, translations, and accessibility settings near relevant content. It is typically represented as a small icon (for example a question mark or lifebuoy) that toggles a panel or popover. A hjelpelinker should be keyboard accessible, screen-reader friendly, and may persist within a session or adapt to user actions, offering progressively relevant suggestions as the user interacts with the site.

Implementation and design considerations emphasize lightweight, non-intrusive placement, clear labeling, and localization. Developers often employ ARIA roles, proper focus management, and compatibility with skip links. Privacy considerations include avoiding unnecessary data collection and providing transparent options for personalization.

Applications for hjelpelinker span government portals, educational platforms, healthcare sites, and large e-commerce sites, where they connect users with tutorials, FAQs, contact methods, language options, or accessibility settings. Critics point to potential visual clutter or over-reliance on automated suggestions, underscoring the need for user testing and consistent information architecture.

See also: contextual help, help widget, accessibility, user assistance systems.